Discover the magic of building stunning geometric models from simple paper units. We’ll start with basic folds, explore how modules connect, and guide you step by step in assembling the models. We will progress through more advanced designs each week and take time to improve our folding as we go.

Turn simple tasks into wild chain reactions. Inspired by the zany world of Rube Goldberg, you’ll design and build machines where one thing leads to another—and another! Use marbles, ramps, and everyday objects to explore momentum, timing, gravity, and force. Embrace your inventive side and see how creative your contraptions can get.

Prepare for adventure and mayhem as you meet mythological “monsters” like vampires, dragons, witches, werewolves, and more. Discover their origins, the cultures that shaped them, and what makes them truly monstrous. Research through classic stories, movies, and historical accounts; create models and crafts; and document your findings in your own monster magazine. By the end, you’ll be equipped to outsmart, outwit, and maybe even slay (or tame!) the most fearsome creatures of myth and legend.

Dusk is a magical time to be on the water, so what could be more blissful than paddling a canoe by moonlight? We’ll push off as the sun sets for an evening of relaxation, good food, and conversation. As the moon rises to light our way, we’ll watch herons browsing along the banks of the Charles, river otters fishing for their last meal of the day, and other wildlife settling in for the night. Your guide will share the rich history of the area, including the Canoe Clubs, Norumbega Park, and the Totem Pole Ballroom. After a light dessert and non-alcoholic beverages, we will return to the dock. This slow, relaxing 2–3-mile group paddle is suitable for folks of all paddling abilities. Children ages 12+ are welcome to register if accompanied by a registered adult.

Get moving as you learn about physics. Investigate Newton’s laws by designing balloon-rocket cars and spinning racers. Test your engineering skills by building a house that can withstand a hurricane, creating a zipline for an alien, and designing optical illusions with a spinning toy.

Bring science and engineering to life through hands-on experiments and challenges. Younger students will investigate chemical reactions with magic milk and elephant toothpaste, explore balance and design with robots, and test buoyancy by crafting aluminum boats. Older children will uncover the unique properties of oobleck, tackle physics concepts in the egg drop and paper airplane challenges, and engage in other STEM activities. Each experiment inspires problem-solving, fosters critical thinking, and nurtures a lifelong love for discovery.

Discover the world of music making and composition through digital games. Explore rhythm, melody, harmony, and sound design with an innovative video game-based curriculum. Learn to keep a steady beat, read music, and use digital instruments to create your own songs. Build rich chords, identify instruments by their sound, and shape your musical ideas with feeling. Piano keyboards will be used to enhance your learning.

Bring your favorite songs to life on screen as you make your own music video. Work in small groups to plan your concept, choreograph moves, make props, and learn basic filming and editing techniques using iMovie. At the end of the week, we’ll celebrate by premiering everyone’s music video masterpiece in a fun class showcase.

Bring your favorite musicals to life through a mix of dance styles. Learn choreography inspired by Broadway shows and movie musicals from different genres and eras, such as Matilda, Anastasia, and High School Musical. Strengthen your skills with warm-ups focused on foundational ballet and jazz techniques, then explore creative movement and storytelling through improv and choreography games.

Ignite your creativity through singing, acting, and dancing. Explore your favorite musicals by writing reviews, reimagining scenes, and asking “what if?” Warm up your voice, practice projection, and work on choreography. Play fun theater games, create group skits, and step into the spotlight. Every day brings a new way to grow as a performer.

Please note: Students who are enrolled in Stratton's after school program (APTG), should enroll in Session 2 Known for its fun games and teamwork-oriented environment, Nathan’s Ninjas is a mix of traditional Kempo Karate with elements of sport karate, tumbling, and grappling. This course will give you a true self-defense perspective, all while having fun and building confidence.

Join Sensei Nathan for his dynamic and hugely popular class known for its fun games and teamwork-oriented atmosphere. Learn a mix of traditional Kempo Karate with elements of sport karate, tumbling, and grappling. This week will give you a true self-defense perspective, all while having fun and building confidence.

Explore nature’s colors, forms, and textures with painting, oil pastels, and mixed media. Find inspiration in landscapes, plants, and organic patterns as you experiment with layering, blending, and bold mark-making. Each project lets you observe, interpret, and bring your own vision of nature to life.

Catch a wave of creativity with this beach-themed adventure full of crafts, stories, and ocean-inspired fun. We’ll create sand art, make an ocean in a bottle, explore the beauty of seashells, craft an ocean sensory bin, and more. It’s the perfect way to visit the beach without getting sand in your shoes!

Explore the rich history of the Old State House and Old South Meeting House with a knowledgeable and friendly guide. Discover the pivotal moments that unfolded within these iconic buildings and hear the stories of the people who shaped Boston and the nation. This walk offers a unique opportunity to step back in time and connect with the Revolutionary era in a personal, engaging way.

Get one-on-one help with your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Windows computer. Focus on a specific software application (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, email, Facebook, etc.) or receive more general assistance, such as how to organize and find your files, delete unneeded items, and more. Please call, 781-316-3568, or email the ACE office, communityed@arlington.k12.ma.us, to learn more and register for a two-hour in-person or online

Get one-on-one help with your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Windows computer. Focus on a specific software application (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, email, Facebook, etc.) or receive more general assistance, such as how to organize and find your files, delete unneeded items, and more. Please call, 781-316-3568, or email the ACE office, communityed@arlington.k12.ma.us, to learn more and register for a two-hour in-person or online

Create mind-bending optical illusions using just pencil and paper. Learn how to trick the eye into seeing movement by overlapping lines and silhouettes, combining clashing vibrant colors, and varying pencil line gradation. Experiment with patterns, explore visual rhythm, and sharpen your drawing skills as you create images that leap off the page.