Middle School   

Build Your Own AI-Powered Virtual Assistant | AI Hackathon: Step into the fascinating world of Artificial Intelligence and create your very own virtual assistant using the latest technology! This hands-on course is designed for middle school students curious about AI, providing step-by-step guidance to build a custom chatbot that can understand and respond to human commands.

Through interactive lessons and practical projects, students will learn how to create a chatbot and explore essential AI concepts like prompt engineering, automation, and advanced chatbot features such as natural language understanding and AI-powered search.

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Chess Academy: Chess teaches critical thinking and problem solving, giving students the mental discipline needed to succeed in school and in life. Studies have shown that chess helps kids to improve their math and reading skills. This course is open to beginner, intermediate, and advanced players wanting to take their game to the next level.

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CodeLab: Build, Learn, Create Ever wondered how your favorite apps and websites come to life? Or how you could turn your own ideas into real, working programs? "Codelab" is your chance to dive into the exciting world of programming, where creativity meets technology. This course is designed especially for middle school students who love solving puzzles, experimenting with ideas, and making things that work. Starting from the basics, you’ll learn how to use code to build projects you can actually use, making technology feel approachable and exciting. Imagine showing off your own mini-programs to friends and family, knowing you created them from scratch!

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Creative Coding for Data Visualizations: In this 5 day course, students will explore how to use Python to analyze and visualize data, creating interactive and visually engaging digital projects. The course introduces essential coding skills, focusing on practical applications of data analysis and visualization. Students will work with Python libraries like Pandas, Matplotlib, Seaborn, and Numpy to manipulate and present data in meaningful ways. By the end of the course, students will have completed their own data-driven visualization projects.

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Entrepreneurship: Financial Literacy- Back by popular demand to the SEA lineup of programming is this new financial literacy class focused on personal finance and entrepreneurship. This class will examine the basics of financial literacy and each student will create their own personal budget, a critical skill for teens earning their first paychecks. They will also learn about entrepreneurship as they create and present their own business plans. Students taking this course will further their knowledge of financial literacy, explore and grow their mathematical and critical-thinking skills, while having fun. Students enrolled in this class will leave with valuable skills they'll directly be able to apply to their lives.

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GUITAR FUNDAMENTALS: A HANDS-ON WORKSHOP FOR ASPIRING PLAYERS- Unleash your child’s musical potential with this engaged, hands-on workshop tailored for aspiring guitarists! Perfect for beginners and those building their skills, this course blends active learning with a collaborative approach to help students develop essential techniques and confidence. From rock classics to fingerstyle and blues, students will explore diverse genres and practice playing in groups under the guidance of an experienced instructor. Upon completion, participants will have made meaningful strides toward mastery and will perform a song they’ve learned during a special presentation for family and friends on the final day.

Students must bring their own acoustic or electric guitar to participate in this course.

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Hero to Superhero:  Design the Ultimate Level-Up Device: Have you ever thought, "If my hero had the perfect device, they could’ve escaped that sticky situation!"? In this exciting class, students will dive into the world of user experience design by creating and prototyping their hero’s ultimate device. Using principles of human-computer interaction, students will learn how to design technology that fits their hero’s unique needs and abilities.

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Gain hands-on experience in data analysis and quick decision-making as you navigate drone obstacle courses using the Python 3 programming language. Participants will delve into the mechanics of drones, applying coding principles to maneuver through courses, complete missions, and perform aerial maneuvers. This interactive experience highlights the connection between software and hardware, as you code solutions to overcome environmental and toolset limitations. With a strong foundation in Python 3, you'll learn to plot courses and take flight.

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iCode Web Developer: Website Coding & Design: Web development, also known as website development, refers to the tasks associated with creating, building, and maintaining websites and web applications. During this modules students are introduced to the fundamental concepts of web development associated with HTML and CSS.

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Learn Python by Game Building: This course serves as an introduction to learning how to program using the Python programming language: one of the easiest and most popular programming languages used in real-world projects. What better way to make programming exciting for young learners than by building a simple video game? In this course, we will build a simple keyboard-based 2-dimensional "Feed The Monster" game in one week breaking it down to learn how the components of the game all come together starting with the basics. If the students are feeling more adventurous, we could also build a second game: "Catch Me If You Can", similar to the first game, but different in the sense that it incorporates the use of a computer mouse to play it.

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LIFE SKILLS FOR SUCCESS: This interactive course helps youth develop essential life skills for success in personal, academic, and professional settings. Participants will improve in decision-making, financial literacy, time management, emotional intelligence, resilience, and relationship-building through activities and exercises. By course end, they will gain the confidence and skills to navigate challenges, build strong relationships, and set a foundation for future growth and success.

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Materials Engineering: Unveiling the Power of Energy:  One of the most common forms of energy we see around us is electrical energy. It powers up numerous applications like E-gadgets, medical appliances, E-vehicles, lights up our home and what not. In this electronic world, isn't it interesting to know how we generate this energy to satisfy our daily requirements?

"The labs were very fun!!!"- Aiden Y., SEA 2024 Student

"I learned many new things about electricity and I liked the instructors." -Kaan D., SEA 2024 Student

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Mock Trial (Middle School): Are you interested in debate, and want to experience what happens in a courtroom first hand? Do you think you have a future in law? Mock Trial is a simulation of a courtroom trial with, judge jury, prosecution and defense! This interactive course is designed to introduce middle age students to the concepts of legal reasoning and argument in a fun and engaging platform.

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MODEL UN: This course is an immersive experience in international diplomacy, designed to replicate the functions of the United Nations. Students will assume the roles of delegates representing different countries and engage in simulated diplomatic negotiations, debates, and discussions. The course aims to develop a deep understanding of global issues, enhance research and public speaking skills, and foster the ability to collaborate on complex international challenges.

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POLITICAL DEBATE: Did you know that UMBC has one of the top 5 debate teams in the country? Learn the art of persuasion and how to craft a winning argument. This session will explore debate strategies and techniques. Have a fantastic time arguing, discussing current events and engaging in spirited debates over all kinds of topics. Through preparation of arguments, learn the art of persuasion, practice research skills and develop the ability to think like a historian. Students will explore topics of debate including gun control, immigration, limits to the freedom of speech, American foreign relations, and other topics related to political current events. There will also be a student-choice debate which is a lot of fun.

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Product Management for Young Innovators”: a unique, one-week course designed to introduce middle and high school students to the fundamentals of product management in the technology sector. This course aims to inspire young minds to think like product managers, turning their curiosity and creativity into actionable ideas. By the end of the week, students will have a solid understanding of the product development process and the skills needed to bring their innovative ideas to life, including how to turn their friendships into potential business partnerships.

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PYTHON POWER: CODING FOR YOUNG INNOVATORS- Are you ready to unlock the potential of coding and enhance your problem-solving skills? This hands-on, beginner-friendly course introduces middle school students to the world of Python programming through interactive learning and real-world problem-solving activities. Designed to captivate curious young minds, Python Programming for Young Innovators encourages students to explore how coding can empower them to solve exciting challenges. 

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Sports Broadcasting:  "Boo-yah!" "Let's get readyyyyyy to rumbllllllle!"  "He could go all the way!"  "GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!" "Juuuust a bit outside."

We have all heard these famous lines from broadcasters. One day, this could be you commenting on a sports event!Students will learn the basics of broadcasting sporting events by speaking and learning from leaders in the industry. Students will explore all the ins-and-outs of sports broadcasting and all the different equipment and positions that are used. They will learn about working in the production truck, camera operations, graphics engines and how to make highlight packages, among other tasks.

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Stock Market: Financial Literacy and Investment Strategy:  Students get a chance to try their own hand at what it's like investing money. Students will increase their knowledge in financial literacy by examining investment strategies and advanced stock market topics such as option trading. Students roll up their sleeves and jump right in, as they take part in a stock market game competition. To make the competition even more fun, the winners of the stock market game will earn Amazon gift cards!

"It was fun and had me on the edge of my seat." -Avi D., SEA 2024 Student

"It was really helpful and interactive on helping us in the stock market. And I feel like this is very beneficial to us in the future." -Hanif, SEA 2024 Student

"It was super engaging and hands on and competitive and fun." -Jai G., SEA 2024 Student

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Sustainable Design and Engineering: How To Build And Race A Kinetic Sculpture:  How do a group of students design, build and race a bicycle powered work of art that can float, go through sand and mud, and survive 15 miles of Baltimore roads? It all starts with the plan and a great design. This workshop will engage creative students in building the model prototype and challenge them to work as a group to propose the kinetic sculpture design for UMBC students to build during the Fall 2022 semester. The UMBC Kinetic Sculpture Team led by professor Steve McAlpine, has won a grand prize and two design awards over the past five years, participating in races in Baltimore, Maryland and Lowell, Massachusetts. Students will be invited on the final day to inspect and test drive both UMBC kinetic sculptures, as well as, to share, test and race the models they have built.

“…it was fun and cool to build kinetic sculptures” - SEA Student 2024

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The Japanese Cultural Experience: What comes to your mind when you hear Japanese culture? Origami? Tea ceremony? Kendo? Anime? Manga? J-pop? Whatever comes to your mind, you are in the right place! Japanese culture is mixed with long lasting traditions and new concepts. This course introduces students to both traditional culture and pop-culture in one week. We plan to cover the topics that include origami, calligraphy, sports, manga, anime, games and pop music. We will also welcome Japanese high school students to discuss and share our thoughts on both Japanese and American cultures. Classes are structured to consist of lectures and hands-on activities for each topic. Bring your curiosity and experience something completely different from your routine!

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The Microbial Frontier: Exploring Tiny Life with Big Impacts

This course takes a dive into the world of tiny organisms that live in, on, and around us. Microbiology is the study of these organisms (called microbes) that can't be seen with the naked eye. Many people associate microbes with disease; however, these little critters benefit human health and have a wide range of industrial applications!

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