Summer Programs 2023
May 30th-August 11th
Choose from 6 fun weekly programs (described below). All classes are small-group instruction with time for exploration. Reading, writing, math, science, and social studies are "baked in." For each themed week, times and price structure are as follows:
10:00am – 4:00pm (extended hours available at an additional charge)
- $325/weekly rate (includes lunch and snacks)
- $70/daily rate (includes lunch and snacks)
- $40/half-day rate (10am-1pm or 1pm-4pm, includes snack)
Minecraft Week (1 more week has been added - scroll down to see the addition)
- May 30-June 2 (FULL)
- July 10-14 (FULL, but July 24th week is still open; scroll down)
Really into Minecraft? At Pierce Institute, you can sit in an actual Minecraft fort while building a digital Minecraft fort and eating a Minecraft cake pop!
We'll play a little, but most importantly, we'll learn to build in Minecraft using redstone, wires, circuits, and machine parts. We'll get into some basics of coding -- a skill that will be vital for students in coming years. This day camp is appropriate for any child regardless of any prior experience with coding. We'll complete several projects and develop our skills for design, problem-solving, and creative collaboration. We'll make cake pops that look like Minecraft characters, too! Kids will also enjoy the literal building of our Minecraft fort, which can be rearranged and rebuilt into several different structures throughout the week.
Candy & Ice Cream Week
- June 5-9 (FULL)
- July 17-21 (FULL)
Make your own candy in any flavor or color you want! Did you know you can do math with candy? Study probability, surface area, calorie calculation, and averages using M&M’s and marshmallows. Learn about the chemical properties of sugar as we make hard candy from scratch. We'll study candies from around the world, and we'll work on writing skills as we describe our favorite (or least favorite!) candies! We’ll also make cake pops, candy bark, candy skewers, and more. (Don’t worry, grown-ups – we’ll set a limit on the candy consumption.) We'll also make homemade ice cream on Friday!
VEX Robotics Week (mainly for ages 10-15)
- June 12-16th (FULL)
Explore VEX IQ and VEX Go, which are robotics systems used at several local schools with robotics programs. Learn coding, wiring, the basic engineering behind how all the parts work together, and of course, building. Enjoy the excitement of robotics competitions right here at Pierce Institute! While students don't need to be advanced, they do need to have the ability to participate in a project that can require some patience and stamina. (If you feel your child is a good fit, but not precisely within the age range, let's discuss.) For STEM lovers who want to participate in competitions, this class is indeed for you!
Minecraft Week #3 (added due to popular demand!)
- July 24-28
Really into Minecraft? At Pierce Institute, you can sit in an actual Minecraft fort while building a digital Minecraft fort and eating a Minecraft cake pop!
We'll play a little, but most importantly, we'll learn to build in Minecraft using redstone, wires, circuits, and machine parts. We'll get into some basics of coding -- a skill that will be vital for students in coming years. This day camp is appropriate for any child regardless of any prior experience with coding. We'll complete several projects and develop our skills for design, problem-solving, and creative collaboration. We'll make cake pops that look like Minecraft characters, too! Kids will also enjoy the literal building of our Minecraft fort, which can be rearranged and rebuilt into several different structures throughout the week.
Lego Robotics Week
- June 19-23 (FULL)
- July 31-Aug 4 (FULL)
3-D Print your own Legos, then build a moving robot with them! All ages (5-14) and skill levels are welcome. Whether your child just wants to play with Legos or wants to advance in coding skills, all campers will enjoy this collaborative adventure! We'll also read and write about the history of Legos, calculate math facts about our robots, and even make Lego-shaped candy!
Pokémon Week
- June 26-30 (FULL)
- August 7-11 (2 slots NEWLY AVAILABLE)
Make your own Pokémon with our 3D printer! (Did you see that? 3D-print your own Pokemon character in whatever colors you choose!) Ok, we’ll play a little. But in addition, we’ll learn about the laws of probability, Pokémon's history, and Japanese culture (including food and music). We’ll even use our math skills to follow a recipe to make special Pokemon-themed snacks. Kids are free to bring their favorite Pokemon items for show & tell. Plus, you’ll learn to draw some Pokemon!
International Week (with an extra scoop of Hawaii)
- July 3, July 5-7
Be a global citizen, and learn more about countries and cultures around the world! What's different, and what's the same? We'll enjoy music, foods, and stories from around the world. Each student is encouraged to share what's important to them about their own family's unique heritage and cherished stories. When we "visit" Hawaii, you'll love our hula skirts, shark-tooth necklaces, and homemade ice cream. Learn the flags of the world, too!
Regular Program, May 30-Aug. 11, 2023
Our usual tutoring sessions for SAT/ACT, subject tutoring, and 1:1 instruction for coding and robotics will continue throughout the summer.
Does your child need conventional tutoring that is one-on-one and more purely focused on reading and/or math? We're here for it! Our regular offerings of tutoring are still available all summer. In fact, a student can choose to do a little "regular" tutoring and a little of our summer program day camp.
For example, a student coming for a week might choose to do 3 days of regular tutoring to get that intense academic support and 2 days of the day camp to participate in the fun with the other kids. Parents can choose what they think is most appropriate for a child's needs, and we'll build a custom price around it. Call or message us to set up specifics.