Discover how apps work on your phone or iPad and learn how to make your own. In this no-experience-required course, we will make fun, creative apps for Android phones and tablets using MIT App Inventor software. We will also explore wireless communication by building custom bluetooth hardware controllers and readouts for our apps.

Explore the weird and wacky world of brains. From squids with doughnut-shaped brains to spiders whose brains fill most of their bodies, and octopus brains that extend into their arms, discover how different types of animal brains control movement, senses, and behavior. Use what you learn to design a Frankenstein-style creature with a brain you build for unique abilities. Research, plan, sculpt, and bring your wild creation to life while applying real neuroscience concepts.

Enter the exciting world of robotics using tiny, smart robots. You’ll use colors and digital blocks to tell your Ozobot what to do as you design mazes, plan speedy races, and build playful storytelling adventures. Along the way, you’ll discover how computers “think,” practice problem-solving, and bring your ideas to life. If you enjoy art, science, or puzzles, come spark your curiosity as you create, code, and set your ideas in motion.

Please note: For AHS students only. All four days are in person. This four-day course is designed for rising seniors who want help managing the many requirements of the college application process, and fine-tuning their essay. Work with AHS school counselors Danielle Rakowsky and Kathy Hirsch, along with English teacher Erin McLean, to explore topics including: an overview of the college application process, completing the Common Application, timelines/time management for applying to college, resume building, essay and supplement writing, interview preparation, and financial aid awareness. For AHS students only.

Become a hero and embark on a Dungeons & Dragons adventure in the land of Ithreach, a fantasy setting where seasons change and the story continues to grow. This game emphasizes heroism, teamwork, empathy, and storytelling skills. Continue D&D: Ithreach Adventures Each week, embark on a new adventure where personal heroics and group cooperation go hand in hand. Uncover strange plots, battle evil creatures, and bring justice and prosperity to the kingdom. Campaigns will be selected based on the group in attendance, ensuring new and exciting experiences for both novices with some D&D experience and seasoned players. Full-Day: Want to make it a full day? Simply sign up for both the morning and afternoon sessions and join Roll Models for a full day of D&D fun! In addition to playing in a D&D adventure, we are pleased to offer a full-day program for kids who want to explore other D&D activities that happen away from the game table. Every day, our full-day players will join one of the tabletop games, then spend the rest of the day trying something new: we’ll paint miniature figures, learn about Live Action Roleplay (LARP) combat with foam weapons, collaborate on world-building and storytelling, even create an entire custom D&D encounter from scratch, then play it!

If furry felines are some of your best friends, join us for this “cat-tastic” week of kitty-inspired crafting. We’ll make a journal to write down cat stories and poems, decorate a frame to hold your cat’s photo, make cat toys and a small fleece blanket, construct our own cat costumes, sculpt cat miniatures, and more.

Discover a new hobby or expand your crochet skills with projects that are as fun as they are practical. We’ll start with the basics and move on to creating a variety of items perfect for back-to-school or everyday use. Projects include bookmarks, zipper pouches, pencil cases, scrunchies, bag charms, and laptop sleeves—offering plenty of ways to practice new techniques and make pieces you’ll love to use.

Dive into the history of comic-making and explore many different ways to create, design, and plan a comic book/strip sequence. Practice character development, story building, facial expression, and figure drawing to make your characters come alive. Look at samples of graphic novels, traditional comics, manga, and anime, then make your own comic that reflects your

Bring your imagination to the table and turn your meals into masterpieces. Follow step-by-step instructions to create scenes—underwater worlds, outer space, palaces, and lighthouses—using a variety of foods. When you’re finished, you can eat your artwork, making creativity extra delicious.

Learn to hand sew three-dimensional “puffies” out of felt—everything from food, animals, shapes, and even emojis. We’ll sew and stuff our puffies, then embellish them with sparkles and embroidery. Bring your own designs and ideas or find inspiration from the class.

How would Cinderella go to the ball if the fairy godmother never appeared, and what would her sisters do? We’ll create and collaborate as an ensemble as we reimagine our own versions of classic tale-as-old-as-time stories. Learn what a good story needs, practice creating interesting characters, and play theater games. We’ll make our own costumes, props, and set pieces out of recycled materials we find at home to bring to life our remixed tales.

Discover the vibrant culture of Latin America through colorful crafts like piñatas, flor de piñas (pineapple flowers) from Oaxaca, and máscaras (masks) for the danza de los viejitos (dance of the little old men) from Michoacán. Play traditional games such as papa caliente (hot potato), zapatito (little shoe), and abeja buzz (buzzy bee) while discovering the region’s people, traditions, and geography—y más.

FULL DAY: Explore the great outdoors! Join a professional hiking guide for a week of day hikes across Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. Each day you’ll hop on the van and head off to explore a different wilderness area, tackling hikes of varying distances and experiencing unique landscapes and challenges. Gain valuable outdoor skills while enjoying the beauty of nature. Hiking equipment, including packs, walking poles, and first aid materials, is included.

Journey through art history as you meet different artists and make projects inspired by their work. Build dreamlike clay sculptures like Salvador Dalí, create bold paper collages in the style of Eric Carle, explore pop art with Andy Warhol, layer color and shapes like Kandinsky, and paint your own flowers inspired by Van Gogh and Georgia O’Keeffe. Try out paint, paper, and clay while discovering your own way to express ideas through art.

Explore Scratch programming, using the MIT-developed programming interface to craft stories and games. Then we will use Makey Makey boards to invent new ways to interact with the Scratch projects using everyday objects. Our circuitry projects will become musical instruments, video game controllers, pressure sensors, and more. No prior coding experience required.

Please note: This is a full day program 9:00 am - 3:30 pm Live Action Role Playing (LARPing) is the ultimate in immersive experiences. Participate in an interactive narrative as you create your own character, build your own gear, and learn how to play the game. Using a combination of theater, martial arts training, and hands-on costume/prop/stage design, you’ll develop critical thinking, creative problem solving, and community leadership skills. Learn how to use boffer weapons safely and effectively to win the battle of the day! The following are some of the topics we may cover during the week. However LARPers interests and experience levels will help determine how much time is spent on each topic. Character Creation: Make original heroes to play LARP, discover your own personal legend DIY Projects: Build your own LARP gear (shields, swords, costumes), learn to think creatively and make solutions. Martial Arts for Self Confidence and Self Control: How to play the game with respect for oneself and for others. How to Play LARP: Learn the game rules and how to use your character abilities. Understand gameplay and mechanics. Event Prep and Playing your Character: Time to celebrate all your hard work and apply the skills you have learned! For more information about our curriculum please visit our website: https://www.larpadventureprogram.com/curriculum!

Make classic Italian dishes from scratch, from minestrone and wedding soup to chicken parm, meatballs, pizza dough, focaccia, panini, and four-cheese ravioli. Roll fresh pasta, mix flavorful sauces, and bake sweet treats like ricotta cookies, biscotti, and cannoli while learning how ingredients come together to make Italian food so delicious. By the end of the week, you’ll have the skills to create your own Italian feast.

Become a hero and embark on a Dungeons & Dragons adventure in the land of Ithreach, a fantasy setting where seasons change and the story continues to grow. This game emphasizes heroism, teamwork, empathy, and storytelling skills. Learn D&D: The Giants Table If you’re brand-new to Dungeons & Dragons or have the books but have never played, come learn the rules of D&D while embarking on an exciting introductory adventure. In The Giant’s Table, you’ll investigate a missing man and the mysterious Mother Fenlight as a town is attacked by evil fey creatures. You’ll use a pre-generated 1st-level character, and everything you need to play will be provided.

Calling all Pokéfans! Learn more about the wonderful world of Pokémon. We’ll cover both the trading card game and the video game series, and explore the culture surrounding this global gaming phenomenon that was created way back in 1996. There will be open casual play and supervised trading, as well as games and demo decks available for you to try. Bring any cards you have, but don’t worry if you forget—everyone will go home with an EX Battle Deck. “Gotta catch ‘em all!”