College for Kids
College for Kids programs, held on the Norwalk campus, are designed to stimulate young minds. These inspiring classes offer hands-on learning and a dynamic curriculum in courses that your kids will thrive in and enjoy.
Summer 2025 Course Catalog
Grades 2-5
Get ready for a week of explosive fun, epic experiments and mind-blowing discoveries at the coolest class around! In this class, young scientists will dive into the wonders of chemistry with dazzling, fiery demonstrations, icy experiments and hands-on activities that fizz, pop and boom! Students will explore the wonders of heat and cold through jaw-dropping experiments: create fire tornadoes, freeze objects with dry ice, create their own frosty concoctions and discover the science behind extreme temperatures. Our chemists in training will unleash their inner mad scientists and explore the magic of elements in the most exciting ways possible! Perfect for curious minds who love to learn through experimenting, discovery, and a little bit of “madness!”
Let your imagination run wild with tens of thousands of LEGO® parts! Build engineer-designed projects as you discover the world around us through our inquiry-based learning model. Projects such as hovercraft, rockets, submarines, windmills and more are rotated seasonally to ensure that both new and returning students can explore the endless creative possibilities of the LEGO®building system.
Let's get crazy with chemicals! Students will explore the power of chemical reactions in this hands-on class! Our chemists in training will create unforgettable experiences while brewing colorful explosions, foamy experiments, acidic potions and gooey sticky creations! From mastering the art of slime and mixing up elephant toothpaste and more, students will burst with excitement about science! Perfect for curious minds who love to create and discover, this class is a recipe for fun and learning!
Join our exciting Math Summer Bootcamp designed to make math engaging and enjoyable for kids. Our program combines interactive games, real-world applications and creative projects to help students build confidence and master essential math skills. Enjoy math games and competitions, storytelling and art and interactive math stations that make learning fun and competitive.
Learn drama skills through improv, scene/monologue study, theatre games and musical theatre! Students will play, explore and express themselves creatively through acting, singing and moving. A final brief sharing will take place on the last day of camp so performers can show off their talents!
Join us as we shoot for the stars on a hands-on, NASA-designed adventure to the cosmos! Your Astronaut-In-Training will explore our solar system - and beyond! - by making explosive comets, witnessing UV rays and supernovas in our glowing planetarium and recreating gassy atmospheres with dry ice and holographic technology. Students will design and launch real rockets and experience the adventures of life in space through immersive space games and experiments with authentic NASA technology! Additionally, each camper will receive a Mad Science lab coat, goggles, NASA certification and specially designed take homes to help extend learning at home
Embark on an artistic expedition that goes beyond traditional elementary school art projects! Have fun exploring a blend of art mediums, techniques and styles designed to spark creativity and imagination. Dive into a world of hands-on experimentation and personal expression as we explore mixed media, printmaking, sculpture, nature-inspired masterpieces and more!
Bring your favorite Minecraft adventures to life with our enthusiastic Play-Well instructors. In a Minecraft world powered by LEGO® resources, we will build shelters to keep out Creepers, craft mystical items that only true masters can wield and perfect our crossbow skills to stop the Wither from taking over! If you can imagine it, we can build it.
Grades 6-8
In this class, students will build a robot from start to finish - and then write code to control its behavior. No experience necessary! The brain of this robot is the Arduino microcontroller, a beginner-friendly device at the heart of so many DIY projects seen on instructables.com, arduino.cc and others. Students will build their skills throughout the week and the course will culminate with an obstacle course competition. Instructions and resources will be given to students to continue their robotics learning journey after the class is complete.
In this class, students will explore their own curiosities and imagination by writing a story based on a character they develop. They will learn how to build an interesting plot around a character of their own design, getting to know their character before their plot is decided. With lots of freedom to explore their own thoughts, students will have fun writing in this class. The class will culminate in a writing celebration where writers can share their work.
Learn childcare techniques, leadership skills, safety, diapering, feeding and first aid emergency procedures. Students will be certified in both American Red Cross babysitting and first aid upon successful completion of the course. Must attend all sessions and participate in all activities in order to receive certification.
Students will learn to care for children and babies and upon successful completion, earn an American Red Cross babysitting certificate. Working with mannequins, they will learn safety rules, diapering, feeding, appropriate toys, and communication with parents. Students must attend BOTH sessions and participate in all activities in order to be certified.
Embark on an artistic expedition that goes beyond traditional elementary school art projects! Have fun exploring a blend of art mediums, techniques, and styles designed to spark creativity and imagination. Dive into a world of hands-on experimentation and personal expression as we explore mixed media, printmaking, sculpture, nature-inspired masterpieces and more!
Young forensic scientists will solve mysteries using real crime lab techniques, including fingerprint analysis, DNA extraction and evidence examination! Our investigators in training will be given tools that real-life detectives, spies and secret agents use such as night vision goggles, voice encryption, metal detectors and much more. Students will uncover evidence to gather clues and navigate their way through class by solving puzzles, cracking secret codes, completing team challenges and investigating and collecting evidence in simulated crime scenes! This class is packed with science, problem-solving, sleuthing, and plenty of mad fun! Students will receive a Mad Science lab coat, goggles and daily take homes to help extend learning at home!
Join our exciting Math Summer Bootcamp designed to make math engaging and enjoyable for kids. Our program combines interactive games, real-world applications and creative projects to help students build confidence and master essential math skills. Enjoy Math games and competitions, technology and apps and nature and math that make learning fun and competitive.
Do you love playing games? Can't live without your Xbox360, PS, Wii, DS, PSP or PC? Have you ever thought, "I could probably imagine an incredible game!" In this class, you will learn how to use the powerful yet simple-to-learn "Scratch" programming interface, fresh from the M.I.T. media lab, to create games. You will also learn how to use photo editing and graphic creation programs to develop original artwork that you can use in your game.
Explore how your talents and passions can turn into a profitable business you love! Fun, hands-on activities teach life skills like unlocking innovative ideas, problem-solving, teamwork, public speaking, budgeting, effective writing and leadership skills. This class empowers students to think like successful entrepreneurs and become future leaders.
Grades 9-12
The sports business industry is booming and it continues to evolve. This fun and engaging course provides an overview of the contemporary global multi-billion-dollar sports business, including professional sports, intercollegiate athletics, media, live events and new platforms. Students will learn management theories that apply to the industry, along with current business and social issues and learn the right business skills required to operate successfully as a business leader in the sports industry. We will connect to some of the key drivers in the industry and learn how to get a job in the sports industry. Today’s sports executives are looking for people with excellent writing and communication skills. Whether it's working in public relations or the marketing department, selling tickets, or as a General Manager, everyone needs to know how to communicate effectively. Students will learn about the baseline tools and see what it takes to land their dream job in the sports business industry!
Join this dynamic course exploring creative expression and storytelling through writing. Through workshops and discussions, students unlock their imagination and refine their skills in fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction. Peer feedback sessions enhance editing skills, leading to a portfolio of original pieces that showcase growth as writers. All levels of experience are welcome on this inspiring journey of exploration and creativity.
Rising high school juniors and seniors can launch their college application process by spending one week brainstorming, outlining, drafting and polishing the Common Application essay. Through individual conferencing and careful exploration, students will develop their stories to create pieces that highlight authentic voices and perspectives. Using models and strong planning, the process is seamless and productive, and students will create a compelling and grammatically correct essay. Class size is limited to ensure individualized attention to crafting the essay.
Explore the exciting world of photography in this beginner-friendly class designed to spark creativity and develop technical skills. Students will learn the basics of composition, lighting and camera settings while discovering their unique photographic style. Through hands-on activities and fun projects, we’ll capture moments that tell stories and create lasting memories. No experience is necessary—just bring your curiosity and a willingness to explore! There will be a few DSLR Cannon cameras available for classroom use only. Students are encouraged to bring their own cameras or cell phone cameras to class.
Learn about the world of artificial intelligence and discover how it’s transforming our lives. This course will take you on a journey through the fascinating realms of AI, from its groundbreaking history to its cutting-edge applications. You'll dive into hands-on activities, explore the power of Microsoft Copilot and tackle real-world challenges. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or just curious about the future, this course will ignite your imagination and equip you with the skills to become a true AI pioneer.
Students will engage in immersive drawing experiences to develop their appreciation for nature and enhance their observational skills. Beginning with indoor still-life setups featuring flowers, shells and other objects, students will progress to outdoor landscapes and nature scenes. Throughout the course, fundamental concepts such as line, shape, form, scale and perspective will be explored, alongside various drawing techniques and mediums including pencil, charcoal and ink. Each session will focus on warming up, refining observational skills and providing personalized guidance for artistic growth. By the course's end, students will have created a portfolio-worthy collection of life drawings, suitable for college applications. (No prior drawing skills required)