NOTE: Chemistry: Exploring Mixtures and Solutions is closed for registration as it may have reached capacity or not have enough students registered. In the event that this course has been cancelled all registered students will be notified.

Discover the creative possibilities of working with clay.  In this studio class students will explore Sculpey Clay, which is a soft clay, comes in every color, can be molded into any shape, and once oven baked can even be painted.  Additional art and craft materials such as wire, wood, rocks and paint will be used as embellishments to the sculptures or background environments.  Art vocabulary and design elements will be introduced through exercises and demonstrations, and students will learn 3-D construction techniques for small clay sculptures.  Subject matter will include but is not be limited to animals, tiny vehicles, hobbies, insects, food, people and jewelry.  The course will conclude with a student art exhibit for families.

 

Instructor:  Diana Styba-Richards earned her B.S. in Art from the University of Wisconsin - Madison.  Diana's teaching experience includes public and private elementary schools and several gifted programs.  She has taught in the Ames area for ten years.  This is Diana's seventh year with Adventures.

 

This one-week study is based on learning styles and the study of renewable energy. The unit will focus on self-examination of learning styles, varying views of intelligence, and examining our “fast brain” tendencies. Students will learn about varying forms of renewable energy, focus on solar energy, and culminate in the building of a solar car.

 

Instructors: Adele Beauchene has extensive experience working with gifted learners. Adele lives and teaches in Nevada and is devoted to her family and the education of Nevada students. This will be Adele’s first year teaching with OPPTAG.

 

NOTE: Math Quest is closed for registration as it may have reached capacity or not have enough students registered. In the event that this course has been cancelled all registered students will be notified.

Calling all artists!  This class is a hands-on experience for students to tap into their artistic talent.  Students have the opportunity to strengthen creative skills, build self-esteem and encourage self-expression.  A variety of art materials and techniques will be introduced as they create both 2-D and 3-D projects.  In this small class setting, students will receive individual instruction and exploration will be encouraged as they work at their own pace.  Project highlights include: acrylic painting on canvas, collage, batik painting, clay sculptures, and a foil etching.  A student art exhibit will be held on the final day for families.

 

Instructor:  Diana Styba-Richards earned her B.S. in Art from the University of Wisconsin - Madison.  Diana's teaching experience includes public and private elementary schools and several gifted programs.  She has taught in the Ames area for ten years.  This is Diana's seventh year with Adventures.

 

NOTE: Toying with Technology is closed for registration as it may have reached capacity or not have enough students registered. In the event that this course has been cancelled all registered students will be notified.

Learn how to create professional looking videos using iMovie software. Students will use digital video, digital photos, sound, graphics, animations, and other media to create a movie.

 

Instructor: Ann Howe has been the elementary technology coordinator for North Polk Community Schools for the past 12 years. For her first two years at North Polk she also taught Gifted and Talented classes part time. She received her B.S. in elementary education from Iowa State University, with a minor in education computing. She recently completed her Masters of Education from Iowa State University in Curriculum and Instructional Technology. As the elementary technology coordinator, Ann is responsible for integrating technology into the elementary curriculum. She provides students with rich, meaningful learning opportunities that incorporate general education content and technology skills. This is Ann's third year teaching with OPPTAG.

 

NOTE: Web Page Design is closed for registration as it may have reached capacity or not have enough students registered. In the event that this course has been cancelled all registered students will be notified.


NOTE: Advanced Toying with Technology is closed for registration as it may have reached capacity or not have enough students registered. In the event that this course has been cancelled all registered students will be notified.

NOTE: Think Outside the Box is closed for registration as it may have reached capacity or not have enough students registered. In the event that this course has been cancelled all registered students will be notified.

NOTE: Video Editing is closed for registration as it may have reached capacity or not have enough students registered. In the event that this course has been cancelled all registered students will be notified.

Take the beginning steps into the world of Web page design. Using Dreamweaver software students will learn how to create interesting and exciting Web pages. Students will look at examples of existing Web pages to guide them in determining what makes a good quality Web page. They will use that knowledge, plus what they learn about Dreamweaver, to create their own Web pages.

 

Instructor: Ann Howe has been the elementary technology coordinator for North Polk Community Schools for the past 12 years. For her first two years at North Polk she also taught Gifted and Talented classes part time. She received her B.S. in elementary education from Iowa State University, with a minor in education computing. She recently completed her Masters of Education from Iowa State University in Curriculum and Instructional Technology. As the elementary technology coordinator, Ann is responsible for integrating technology into the elementary curriculum. She provides students with rich, meaningful learning opportunities that incorporate general education content and technology skills.

 

History is not just a bunch of names and dates. Have fun playing chronological trivia games in this introduction to world history. Students will become familiar with the study of history, tour the special archives in the ISU library, and learn major historical periods and some key events and persons.

 

Instructor: Kaya Tolon is a PhD candidate and teaching assistant in the History of Technology and Science (HOTS) program at Iowa State University. As a manufacturing and systems engineer and a historian of engineering, Kaya is interested in how technology fits in a larger historical and social context. Kaya also worked as the project manager for a K-12 educational research center for three years where he helped construct K-12 curricula for a variety of subjects. This will be Kaya's first year teaching with OPPTAG.