Summer 2024 (Schedule activities subject to change depending on weather) This summer during Week One we will take a BIG dive into visual arts and science as inspired by the magical space around Larz Anderson Park. Exciting science experiments will serve as a jumping off point for connections to famous artists and creating our own masterpieces. During Week Two, we'll dive into the process of Design Thinking, and will use the playground at Larz as a jumping off point for creating the best playground ever! Participants will sketch, design, write, and present their ideas.
WEEK ONE: June 24 - June 28: Science & Art Monday: Clouds & The Art of Georgia O'Keeffe We'll learn all about different types of clouds, make a cloud in a jar, and create our own cloud artwork inspired by Georgia O'Keeffe's painting "Sky Above Clouds IV" Tuesday: Slime We'll learn about the science of slime, make fluffy slime, and create slime-inspired paintings Wednesday: Bubbles & The Art of Keith Haring We'll make our own bubble solution and see how big we can get our bubbles before they POP. Then, we'll learn all about Keith Haring's pop art and create our own colorful, moving people Thursday: Exploding Milk & The Art of Alma Thomas We'll do a fun "Exploding Milk" science experiment. Then we'll use Alma Thomas' colorful art as a jumping off point to create our own abstract art. Friday: Paper Airplanes & Henri Matisse We'll use our engineering brains to create paper airplanes that fly fast and far. Then, we'll use Henri Matisse's cut-out techniques and printmaking to create our own original art pieces
WEEK TWO: July 1- July 5 (we will have camp on July 4th): Design Thinking Monday: Introduce Design Thinking (Design thinking is a problem-solving process encouraging critical thinking and innovation) Children will observe and test out the playground structures at Emerson Garden. We will discuss the pros and cons of the playground. Tuesday: Emphasize and Ideate Children will work in small cooperative learning groups to come up with “The Best Playground” design. They will sketch out designs. Wednesday: Sketch and Share Share your sketch with other groups and listen to feedback. Update the sketch. When your group is satisfied, begin building a prototype of the best playground. Thursday: Work on prototypes Test out playground ideas by creating a cardboard model. The team will discuss areas of success and improvement. Friday: Presentation of your prototype Each team will share their playground model and highlight the best features. The team will reflect and make any additional changes based on the presentations.