Young Explorers
Western's Youth Program's Young Explorers offers enrichment courses during the Bellingham School District year. Each day offers a different way to explore our world. Each program is packaged and delivered individually to let families choose the schedule and programs that work best around their lives.
Youth program participants must abide by all University regulations and program rules
At a Glance
Grades
4 - 6Dates
Oct. – Nov.
Times
3 - 5 p.m.Cost
$30/per courseLocation
OnlineYoung Explorer Courses
October
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020
3 - 5 p.m.
Students will explore in detail unique art styles, techniques, and movements (Impressionism, Cubism, Pointillism, Calligraphy, etc.). Students will engage in activities using free and accessible digital art tools to experiment different painting techniques. Students will then pick a single or a combination of any of the techniques to submit a piece of art for a virtual gallery walk.
Refund deadline: Oct. 15, 2020
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020
3 - 5 p.m.
The focus of this class will be on physical and biological sciences:
ocean literacy.
- graphing the amounts of water in various reservoirs on Earth.
- NatGeo wave simulator or PhET waves intro.
- components of a watershed.
- watershed flow demonstration.
- mapping.
- exploring the Nooksack and Skagit watersheds.
Refund Deadline: Oct. 15, 2020
Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020
3-5 p.m.
Human communities are shaped by the landscapes they live in. Join us to learn more about how humans have navigated the Salish Sea since time immemorial.
Refund Deadline: October 15, 2020
November
Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020
3 - 5 p.m.
Students will discuss whether the identification of something as art is dependent on individuality or a collective decision. Students will familiarize themselves with identifying symmetry or asymmetry in the environment around them before exploring architecture and perspective lines in renaissance art. Students will participate in activities using free and accessible digital art tools.
Refund Deadline: Oct. 22, 2020
Wednesday Nov. 4, 2020
3 - 5 p.m.
The focus of this class will be on biology and evolution:
- understanding evolution–what evidence do we have that life on Earth changes?
- ecosystems.
- food web building (energy transfer through an ecosystem).
- animal adaptations (PBS Lab).
- build your own animal that is adapted for a particular climate/biome.
- an abbreviated timeline of the creatures of Earth.
Refund Deadline: Oct. 22, 2020
Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020
3 - 5 p.m.
Even with modern technology, navigating your town, local parks and wilderness can be challenging. Join us to learn more about mapping, navigating and exploring the place you live.
Refund Deadline: October 22, 2020
Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020
3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
An archaeological and historical exploration of some of the earliest pieces of human art. Students will engage in discussions about whether or not art served a specific purpose for prehistoric humans and whether or not art requires a purpose. Students will also get an opportunity to sculpt for themselves using salt-dough at home.
Refund deadline: Nov. 1, 2020
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020
3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The emphasis of this class will be on physical and earth sciences.
- Matter–what is it and how can it be modeled and observed?
- Students construct their own drawing or model with somewhat of a scale of the solar system:
- PhET simulation–my solar system OR states of matter.
- The rock cycle.
- What evidence do we have that Earth is changing (Smithsonian Activity)?
- Earth’s Systems: Geosphere, biosphere, cryosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere–how are they different and how do they interact with each other?
- Exploration with Google Maps and Google Earth.
Refund deadline: Nov. 1, 2020
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020
3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Birds around your home and all over the world tell us a lot about the place we live. Join us to learn more about local birds by understanding who is tweeting, singing and soaring in your neighborhood.
Refund Deadline: Nov. 1, 2020
December
Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020
3 - 5 p.m.
Students will explore how different artists have used a wide variety of materials and skills to present art in non-traditional methods. Students will attempt to define art and think critically about different definitions of art. Students will also engage in activities depicting famous works of art with items they have nearby.
Refund Deadline: Nov. 27, 2020
Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020
3 - 5 p.m.
The focus of this class will be on chemistry and biology:
- PhET energy forms and changes.
- biome descriptions, mapping, illustrations.
- freshwater, marine, desert, forest, grassland, tundra.
- the water cycle.
- photosynthesis.
- weather vs. climate.
- observing and measuring weather.
- storm in a glass demonstration.
Refund Deadline: Nov. 27, 2020
Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020
3 - 5 p.m.
Ever wonder where water that goes down your drain ends up? Or where it comes from? Understanding your local water cycle is one of the best ways to know your home. Join us to learn about our local water cycle.
Refund Deadline: Nov. 27, 2020