MCC Releases Youth Program Spring Catalog Online

Manchester Community College’s Excursions in Learning Youth Program — enrichment classes for inquisitive and creative minds — has released the spring course catalog online and is open for registration. The catalog includes Saturday courses offered for students in grades K through 8 during the months of February through May. Subjects covered include science and technology, mathematics, language arts, culinary arts, computer science and the performing and visual arts, all taught through engaging and enjoyable activities to promote learning with hands-on, real world curriculum. Courses are offered on Saturdays from 9 am to 12 pm as well as weekday afternoons for homeschooled students in grades 6 through 9.

New this semester is Book Cooks Jr.: Read, Cook, and Create for students in grades K through 2, where children can explore cooking and the best in children’s literature. If your child enjoys cooking, reading, writing and creating, this multifaceted course will be sure to please (refer to CRN 11732). First and second graders can challenge their math skills with the course Mathemagic, studying optical illusions, the use of math in art, as well as applying math to magic tricks and real world experiences (reference CRN 11977). Science can be ooey gooey fun-and artistic! Join us for this popular course where kids can get their hands dirty, mix a variety of science and art activities in one class, and even create a lava lamp! Ooey Gooey Science and Art is for grades K through 2 (reference CRN 11712).

Saturday classes for kids in grades 3 through 5 will include Mathemagic (reference CRN 11809) and the course Active Arithmetic (reference CRN 11981), where math concepts are practiced while being physically active with fun games. Math facts, fractions, decimals and physical fitness will be covered with the help of relay races. The course Icky, Sticky Science has getting messy down pat! Learn science and make your own bouncy ball, silly putty, bubble snakes and more (reference CRN 12077).

Students in grades 5 through 8 can hone in on their Basic Culinary Skills (reference CRN 11995), compete to be awarded the title of “best pie in the sky” with Pizza Throw-Down (reference CRN 11996) or learn to make pasta the Italian way with Pasta-bilities (reference CRN 11715). Basic culinary skills will include strengthening knife skills, cooking methods and procedures, as well as developing the palette with delicious cuisine made in class.

Middle school students in grades 5 through 8 can register for Make a Stop-Motion Animation or Claymation Movie to learn how to use computer software and digital cameras to bring play dough creatures, toys and LEGOs to life. Students will create their own story, build characters, film them frame by frame, and add special effects and music for the ultimate animated movie. The course concludes with a film festival (reference CRN 11990). For students who desire a focus on computer science, register for Scratch: Computer Programming, to learn a programming language that allows you to create interactive stories, animations, games, music and more. Registered students will have access to a free download of the software after the course (reference CRN 11987).

For more information about courses with Excursions in Learning, or to register, call program coordinator Carleigh Schultz at 860-512-2804.