Calling all artists! In this course students will concentrate on studio activities that emphasize the development of painting skills. Traditional and experimental techniques will be covered such as wet-on-wet, dry-brush and painting with a variety of brushes, stamps and found objects. Painting surfaces will include canvas, matt board, professional watercolor paper and tote bags. Class discussion will include information on masters from art history (Picasso, Monet. Cassatt, and Van Gogh), relevant art vocabulary and principals of composition. This adventure will conclude with an art exhibit for families.

Instructor: Diana Richards earned her Bachelor of Science Degree 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 nine years. This is Diana's sixth year with Adventures.

NOTE: Chemistry: 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.

Here's a grand opportunity for students to express their artistic abilities. Discover the fun of creative art-making with soft, bright colored clay. In this hands-on studio class, students will explore three-dimensional art through clay and discuss art vocabulary such as form, shape, color, and texture. Presentations on sculptures from art history will include past to present. This course will conclude with a student art exhibit for families.

Leading this adventure is visual art teacher, Diana Richards. Diana Richards earned her Bachelor of Science Degree 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 nine years

NOTE: Energy Intelligence 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: Models and Designs 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: Paleontology: Exploring Mesozoic Iowa 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.

Students will learn how to design and conduct controlled experiments using pendulums, boats, and more.  They’ll then use these abilities to design an experiment that is centered on parachutes.  Do holes in a canopy affect the rate of fall?  Does the material of the canopy affect the rate of fall?  After an exciting day of construction and testing, students will learn PowerPoint software, and create a presentation that communicates their parachute experiment results.
Matt Robie is a K-5 Talented and Gifted Teacher for the Ankeny Community School District.  He received his B.A. in elementary education from the University of Northern Iowa, and his Masters Degree from Michigan State University.  Matt previously taught sixth grade for eight years at North Polk Schools, and holds endorsements in TAG, Reading, K-8 Science, and Coaching.  He currently serves as an ITAG Board Member.

Looking for a bit of everything?  This class will combine problem-solving activities from the worlds of math, science, and creativity.  Students will compete against each other using Math Olympiads problems, learning difficult math concepts and problem-solving strategies along the way.  The inner engineer (build this using these materials) or actor (demonstrate a new use for this) will take over during our work with instant challenges.  And, one never knows!  A crime might just be committed and need to be solved!

Matt Robie is a K-5 Talented and Gifted Teacher for the Ankeny Community School District.  He received his B.A. in elementary education from the University of Northern Iowa, and his Masters Degree from Michigan State University.  Matt previously taught sixth grade for eight years at North Polk Schools, and holds endorsements in TAG, Reading, K-8 Science, and Coaching.  He currently serves as an ITAG Board Member.

This 5-day session will focus on life in Ancient Egypt. Students will explore hieroglyphic writing, mummification, social levels, and study of the pyramids. Materials will include literature that enhances the curriculum. Children will read plays that are based on life in Ancient Egypt and perform Readers Theater. Art activities will highlight the structure of the pyramids, Egyptian writing, and tell stories of Egyptian myths. Books that can be read ahead of time, but not required, include The Golden Goblet by Eloise Jarvis McGraw and Pyramid by David Macaulay.

Instructor: Laurie Moore has taught sixth grade in the Ballard School district for 22 years. She has her undergraduate degree from Iowa State University and her master’s from Drake University.

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 Webpage design. Using the program Dreamweaver, students will learn how to create interesting and exciting Web pages. Students will look at examples of existing webpages 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 ten years. For her first two years at North Polk she also taught Gifted and Talented classes half time. She received her BS in Elementary Education from Iowa State University with a minor in Education Computing. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Curriculum and Instructional Technology from Iowa State University as well. 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.

Interested in genetics? This session introduces students to the exciting field of genetics. Basic concepts, such as DNA structure, Central Dogma, genetic traits, Punnett Squares, and mutations, are covered through fun activities and projects.

Instructor: Denise Hix received her undergraduate degree from Iowa State, and her master’s degree from the University of Colorado, Behavioral Genetics Institute. Currently, she is an adviser in biology at Iowa State. This will be Denise’s first year teaching with OPPTAG.

Denise Hix received her undergraduate degree from Iowa State, and her master’s degree from the University of Colorado, Behavioral Genetics Institute. Currently, she is an adviser in biology at Iowa State. This will be Denise’s first year teaching with OPPTAG.

Students will enter a long-forgotten world of mysterious mathematical problems. This world was recently discovered and students are being encouraged to come and explore. Students will form teams and make their way deep into this mysterious place, solving many problems along the way. Their goal will be reaching the hidden treasure at the end of the path! Students learn many strategies that will help them to become better problem solvers and gain valuable confidence in this crucial math skill. Come ready to explore and enjoy the adventure!

Instructors: Scott Barth received his undergraduate degree from Central College in Pella, Iowa and a graduate degree from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. He is currently in his 14th year of teaching at Ballard (Huxley) Community Schools. Currently he is a 6th grade teacher at East Elementary in Cambridge. This will be Scott’s fourth year teaching with Adventures.

Laurie Moore has taught sixth grade in the Ballard School district for 22 years. She has her undergraduate degree from Iowa State University and her master’s from Drake University.

Students will learn how to design and conduct controlled experiments using pendulums, boats, and more. They’ll then use these abilities to design an experiment that is centered on parachutes. Do holes in a canopy affect the rate of fall? Does the material of the canopy affect the rate of fall? After an exciting day of construction and testing, students will learn PowerPoint software, and create a presentation that communicates their parachute experiment results.
Matt Robie is a K-5 Talented and Gifted Teacher for the Ankeny Community School District. He received his B.A. in elementary education from the University of Northern Iowa, and his Masters Degree from Michigan State University. Matt previously taught sixth grade for eight years at North Polk Schools, and holds endorsements in TAG, Reading, K-8 Science, and Coaching. He currently serves as an ITAG Board Member.


NOTE: Problem Solving Extravaganza! 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: Science is Beautiful 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.

Ever wondered if it was possible to clean water using an old pop bottle and materials you would find around your house? What about safely delivering an egg to the ground from thirty feet in the air using only paper and tape? Have you ever thought about building your own robot? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this class is for you! Students taking this course will participate in hands-on laboratory experiences that will introduce them into the field of engineering.

Instructor: Jamie Fath is currently a graduate student at Iowa State University studying Curriculum and Instructional Technology. Jamie also graduated from ISU in 2006 with a degree in Elementary Education. She currently works as a teaching assistant for the Toying With Technology program where she coordinates K-12 engineering outreach partnerships with local schools. Jamie also teaches in the department of Curriculum and Instruction. Her interests include engineering education and incorporating meaningful technology into the classroom. This is Jamie's third year teaching with the OPPTAG. Matt Goodman just competed his fourth year at Iowa State where he is currently a graduate student in Materials Science and Engineering, specializing in polymers. This is Matt's second year teaching this course in the Toying With Technology lab, where he's worked since spring of 2005 under the guidance of Dr. Larry Genalo. After he graduates in spring 2009 with his Master's, Matt plans to pursue his PhD

Instructor: Lawrence J. Genalo is Professor and Assistant Chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Iowa State University. He received a Ph. D. in Applied Mathematics with Systems Engineering emphasis in 1977, has served as Chair for Freshman Programs and DELOS Divisions of ASEE, and has extensive experience in engineering outreach to K-12 programs. He runs the Toying With Technology Program at Iowa State, started a distance education class for high school students to interest them in engineering, a summer internship program for female, high school students, and often participates in recruitment and enrichment events

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 ten years. For her first two years at North Polk she also taught Gifted and Talented classes half time. She received her BS in Elementary Education from Iowa State University with a minor in Education Computing. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Curriculum and Instructional Technology from Iowa State University as well. 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 second year teaching with Adventures.

Take the beginning steps into the world of Webpage design. Using the program Dreamweaver, students will learn how to create interesting and exciting Web pages. Students will look at examples of existing webpages 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 ten years. For her first two years at North Polk she also taught Gifted and Talented classes half time. She received her BS in Elementary Education from Iowa State University with a minor in Education Computing. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Curriculum and Instructional Technology from Iowa State University as well. 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.