Middle School   

AI Lab: Train Your Own Smart Machine - A computer would deserve to be called intelligent if it could deceive a human into believing that it was human.” - Alan Turing Ever dreamed of teaching a computer to think? Now you can! Step into the fascinating world of Artificial Intelligence, the same technology behind Netflix recommendations, TikTok filters, and voice assistants like Siri! In this hands-on, one-week course, middle school students will create their own smart projects while discovering how AI “learns” to recognize images, sounds, and movements. Using Google Teachable Machine, students will experiment with real AI tools, no coding required, just curiosity, imagination, and a love for discovery.

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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.

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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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Coding with Emotions: The Science of Empathic AI: In this exciting and interactive course, students will explore how Artificial Intelligence can recognize, understand, and respond to human emotions. From detecting smiles in photos to building chatbots that respond kindly, learners will dive into the world of empathetic technology — where coding meets human connection.

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CyberSafe is an interactive 15-hour course that introduces middle school students to the world of cybersecurity in a fun and engaging manner. Through this course, which is compiled with real-life examples, group activities, and online safety games, students will be able to learn how to protect their personal information, devices, and digital identity. The course will cover basic yet important topics such as password safety, phishing, malware, digital citizenship, and ethical online behavior. 

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Design Your Future City: An Introduction to Urban Planning & Development: What if  you  could design the next great city? In this creative, hands-on course, middle school students will step into the role of urban planners to imagine how communities grow, change, and thrive. Through fun activities and teamwork, students will explore how science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) shape everything from housing and parks to public transportation and green spaces. 

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Design Your Own Video Game: Making games is even more fun than playing them! Ever dreamed of creating your own video game? Now you can! Step into the world of game design and programming, where creativity meets technology. In this hands-on, one-week course, middle school students will use Scratch and Construct 3 to build interactive games inspired by classics like Flappy Bird, Pac-Man, and Geometry Dash. Along the way, they’ll learn real programming skills while developing problem-solving, logic, and design creativity. Students will explore how games work—learning how loops, variables, and conditions create challenges, movement, and scoring systems. Each day introduces new tools and techniques that build toward their final project: a fully playable game they can proudly share. 

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Designing with Purpose: A Hands-On Journey of UX Design & Creative AI: Have you ever used an app that made you want to give up halfway? That kind of frustration is exactly what good User Experience (UX) Design works to prevent, by making technology simple, helpful, and human. In this hands-on STEM course, students will explore the world of UX design and discover how creativity and AI can come together to solve real problems. Students will begin by learning what makes good design “feel right.” Through fun activities, they’ll explore Don Norman’s seven fundamental design principles like visibility, feedback, affordance, and mapping and so on and see how these ideas make everyday apps easier to use. They’ll then choose a problem to solve, think deeply about who their users are, and design with empathy by creating user personas and sketching low-fidelity app screens. Next, they’ll bring their ideas to life using AI-assisted design tools such as Lovable, Uizard, or Canva Magic Design.

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Drone Programming With Python: 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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*THIS COURSE IS BEING HELD AT THE SHADY GROVE CAMPUS (ROCKVILLE, MD)*

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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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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Every one of us has either been the person or heard someone ask, “When will I ever use this?” during a math class. For this course, students will be given a series of different math activities that show a subtle way of how math can be applied to real-world concepts like budgeting, natural disasters, health issues, discrimination, etc.

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Future Builders: Creating A Sustainable World is an engaging, hands-on summer program designed for middle and high school students to explore real-world environmental and sustainability challenges. Over the course of five themed days, participants will dive into ecosystems, energy, water, waste, and climate systems through interactive lessons, outdoor exploration, and collaborative team projects. Each session is designed to build curiosity, deepen scientific understanding, and connect big environmental concepts to real-world issues. 

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Generative AI in Action: Creativity, Responsibility, and the Future of STEAM: Do you want to explore the world of generative AI?  Ever wondered how generative AI can write music, paint pictures, design inventions, or even be a thought partner for you? In this hands-on one-week course, you’ll see where art, science, and technology come together through generative AI.

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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 guitar to participate in this course.

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Intro to Acting: This course is designed to provide a beginning working knowledge of the acting process and is intended for the beginning actor with little to no experience. Through exercises, theatre games, analysis, self-exploration, and improvisation, the student will build a foundational understanding of basic acting tools. As acting is a process that requires a thorough knowledge of the actor's instrument, we will explore both the inner and outer terrain of the actor (physical, mental, and emotional).

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Mock Trial: 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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Music Production - Middle School: For students looking to expand their musical skills, learn how create beats, record instruments, vocals and produce music using software, this course offers an introduction to creating music. Using Ableton live, and soundtrap, students will create beats and instrumental music, explore audio engineering, recording and songwriting in a collaborative setting. Students will learn how to create, release, perform and present their original music.  

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Political Debate & Current Events: 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. Get ready to take a side, build your argument and persuade everyone why they should agree with your position. Open to all levels of skill and experience.

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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!

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Techpreneurs: Building Business Through Technology- Students explore how innovation and modern digital tools drive entrepreneurship and shape the future of business. They begin by researching and presenting on real-world tech startups—analyzing how companies like Spotify, Duolingo, or Tesla used creativity and technology to achieve success. Throughout the course, students learn to use hands-on tools such as Canva, Google Sites, Figma, and Scratch to bring their own business ideas to life. 

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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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This course will help every potential singer or those who are just curious, learn about the how and why of their voices. We will learn about what the voice is and what makes it do what it does. We will use voice exercises to learn about why the voice “cracks”, why it gets tired and or “pitchy “when singing or what makes the throat hurt, how to sing high or low and the list goes on. When the students complete their week, they will have a much clearer understanding of how their voice functions and how to keep it healthy and growing. My students will learn: The fundamentals of how the voice functions, what is breath support, placement, resonance, volume and basic vocal anatomy and how does that help us to sing well.

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