Matteson Area Center4821Southwick Drive, Matteson, IL 60443

(708) 709-3750

Course Descriptions and Forms

prairiestate.edu/kids

Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.This new approach to summer programming offersinnovative and creative activities with weekly themes.

Weekly registration and before and after care is available.

Week 1, June 20-23: NASA Space Explorers

Week 2, June 27-30: Mad Scientists

Week 3, July 5-7: Adventure Unleashed

Week 4, July 11-14: We Have a Dream

Week 5, July 18-21: Amazing Artists

Week 6, July 25-28: Mysteries Galore

Table of Contents

Course DescriptionsWeek 1...............................................................................................................................................................2-3

Week 2...............................................................................................................................................................4

Week 3...............................................................................................................................................................5

Week 4...............................................................................................................................................................6-7

Week 5...............................................................................................................................................................8

Week 6...............................................................................................................................................................9

Required Forms for Kids@College Important Parent/Guardian Information.....................................................11-12

Registration Form.............................................................................................................................13-14

Health and Emergency Contact Form.............................................................15-16

Waiver of Release and Liability Form...............................................................17

Student Code of Conduct Form...............................................................................19

six weeks of summer fun!

2

From our Earth’s atmosphere to the outer reaches of our solar system, this weekly theme will send your children on a quest for exploration! Following are some topics we will explore during this weekly theme.

3, 2, 1 Lift Off Explore what is it like to live in space!

RocketsLearn about the laws of motion and how to build rockets. Create your own rocket to launch!

Alien LifeYou will be an alien expert as you learn what it is like to live in outer space.

NASA SurvivorDesign your own space vehicles to get off of deserted islands and create a space survival kit.

Shooting Stars, Comets and moreTake a trip into space and explore everything sparkly and bright!

Space CraftsCreate many different kinds of space crafts, even edible ones!

Planet WizardLearn what planets are made of while reconstructing your own planets.

NASA Space LifeLearn about the wonders of space living while you create space ships, moon homes and much more.

Week 1, June 20-23: NASA Space Explorers

Ages 5 - 7

Ages 8 - 10

3

NASA Power Work together to make solar powered vehicles and learn how solar power is in our everyday life.

Gyrobot Flight SimulatorHave you ever wondered how pilots can navigate their planes in the dark or in thick cloud cover? Build a motorized gyroscope and conduct a fun, hands-on, flight simulator experiment. Learn about the physical science principles that keep the robot balanced and make it appear to defy gravity.

make it Fly Analyze why things fly or move by discovering different types of power or energy sources.

Strange New Planet Discover what is really out there in simulated spacecraft missions and planet exploration.

Week 1, June 20-23: NASA Space Explorers

Participate in an Exploration Station event sponsored by Governors State University. We also will have a Rocket Challenge! Design, build, and launch your own rocket and see whose goes the farthest.

Ages 11 - 13 all ages

4

Be a mad scientist and conduct a wide array of hands-on experiments!

Project Ice Cream Design and make your own ice cream and create marketing materials, including a commercial!

Candy Science Chewy, gooey, and delicious candy will be the prime ingredients for these experiments.

Volcanic Eruption Design, create, and erupt a volcano!

Explosions Many different things can explode and use energy from the ground to take off. Safely create explosions.

Does it fizz, bubble, or ooze? Is it a solid, liquid, or gas? Expand your scientific horizons this week through mind-blowing and kid-tested experiments. Following are some topics you will explore during this weekly theme.

Fizzy Art Learn why things bubble, fizz and foam while making crazy art creations.

Slimy Fun Eww! Eek! We love to have yucky fun because that is the way science should be done. Explore science the slimy way.

mix master Fun DJ’s are not the only ones who are mix masters! Come show your stuff by mixing ingredients together to make creative concoctions and watch scientific reactions.

magic Potions Create potions from common household products and use those potions for fun!

Blast Off Get rocket power as we explore the world of rockets. Spacetastic Design Sculpt things that fly in space, design and create your own rocket, and much more.

Colorful Eruptions Mix a little of this and a little of that and watch and see what exciting things erupts with magical colors.

make It Blow Learn about gas and chemical reactions by blowing up a balloon in a bottle.

Week 2, June 27-30: Mad Scientists

Ages 5 - 7

Ages 8 - 10

Ages 11 - 13

all ages

5

Week 3, July 5-7: Adventure Unleashed

Join us on a trip around the world as you explore the habitats, adaptations, and body systems of unique creatures in the animal kingdom.

It’s Always Greener Construct a home, plant seeds, and watch it grow.

Biome in a Baggie Create your own biome and learn about interactions in ecosystems.

Ocean in a Bottle Observe, record, and interpret how different components of an ecosystem change as they interact with each other and the environment.

Wild PaintbrushesCreate different art projects using items from nature.

Under the Sea Learn the various zones of the ocean and the variety of animals that live in each zone. Create a new world under the sea!

Preyed Upon Assume the role of a predator and locate appropriate prey, while creating a documentary of your travels.

Where the Wild Things Are Who is really faster: the tortoise or the hare? Animals’ shapes, sizes, weight, colors, and speeds inspire investigations, games, stories, and art projects.

The Great Outdoors Create your own small world while learning about habitats.

Experience reptiles and amphibians from around the world with Dave DiNaso’s Traveling World of Reptiles. In addition, a local animal shelter will visit to explain their dedication to improving animal welfare in our communities, Nova Quarter Horses will make a special appearance, and much more!

Sink or Swim What makes things sink or swim? Learn principles of density and buoyancy through guided demonstrations.

Fish TalesLearn about habitats around us and create your own mini ocean.

Animals! Animals! Investigate art inspired by the animal world around us. Use nature to find inspiration from the most exciting parts of the outdoors.

We are family! Learn how we are interconnected and engage in a game of survivor.

Ages 5 - 7

Ages 8 - 10

Ages 11 - 13

all ages

6

Week 4, July 11-14: We Have a Dream

Explore different career opportunities, learn about the environment, and identify interests for a brighter future. Following are some topics you will explore during this weekly theme.

Folk Tale Fun Using the classic folk tales, students will learn about architecture by performing a scientific experiment to compare the strength of different building materials.

Don’t Rock the Boat Use recycled materials to create a boat that can sail on water only using wind power.

Fruit Scientists Use a lemon to create a battery that can turn on a light. We will use this hands-on activity to understand the complexity of electricity.

Dream Big The sky is the limit when you dream big! Explore careers and your dreams to see what the future holds.

Wacky Experiments Does your mom always ask you to put away your shoes? Design and create a sneaker launcher that will move your shoes at least 10 feet, and then design your own simple machines.

Coaster Engineers Do you love the thrill of rollercoasters? Use your experience of your favorite rollercoaster or video game to design a rollercoaster of your own. Test your coaster with a marble and see how fast your ride moves.

Aviator In-ProgressLearn all about aviation and design a variety of paper airplanes. Test and measure how far each moves. Find a winning design among your class.

Lightning StrikesPut on your science hat and replicate lightening to see how the mighty sky makes power.

Ages 5 - 7

Ages 8 - 10

7

Week 4, July 11-14: We Have a Dream

Junior Achievement will provide a glimpse of a wide range of careers and inspire students toward a brighter future.

Interior DesignLearn about different aspects of design. From designing your own furniture, to creating a website, we will let the sky be the limit of your creativity.

Rainbow Vision Light experiments are always fun, especially when they involve rainbows!

Wonderful World of Automotives Classic cars, muscle cars, and street rods are all common classifications for cars. You will create your own type of “unclassic car” as you make a car out of a balloon.

Heating Up Heat up your imagination and form great goals for the future while experimenting on everyday objects.

Ages 11 - 13 all ages

8

Week 5, July 18-21: Amazing ArtistsSpark your imagination and learn new skills this week as you create and explore art, architecture, 3D printing, graphic design, musical theatre, and much more!

Rock ’ N ’ Roll monsters What is that looking at you? Students will create rock monsters to take home. Explore Van Gogh Swooping swirls will create Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night

Plaster It Channel your inner Van-Gogh and create your next masterpiece using a variety of mediums.

Van on the Gogh Work with fellow classmates to create your own version of “Starry Night.”

Rockin’ Out Rock out making geometric bubbles after creating both the wand and bubbles.

It’s Golden Learn about the concepts and existence in nature as well as the art of the “Golden Ratio” and The Fibonacci Sequence.

Get the Sense of it! Awaken your senses with art! You will create masterpieces that you will touch, smell, hear, and even taste.

The Stage Get in touch with your inner performer while acting out scenes from different media.

Let your creativity flow as you build your own business and participate in a real life “Shark Tank” event, sponsored by the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Governors State University. In addition, learn the basics of building a budget and spending wisely during the M&M budgeting session with NuMark Credit Union.

Drama! Drama! Students will use their creativity to write a script and put on a show!

mixing it Up Learn how to blend and mix colors in a variety of ways, while finding the masterpiece in yourself.

Art Around Us Explore art mediums by mixing them: mix paints, mix colors, mix mediums. The possibilities are endless.

What’s the Point? Using one-point perspective, students will create the illusion of depth in a two-dimensional drawing.

Ages 5 - 7

Ages 8 - 10

Ages 11 - 13

all ages

9

Week 6, July 25-30: Mysteries Galore

Learn the basics of fingerprinting, DNA analysis, police investigative techniques, and more. Following are some topics you will explore during this weekly theme.

Under Your Thumb Everyone’s fingerprints are different. Analyze your fingerprints and create fun art.

Criminal CompositesUse your best drawing skills to become a criminal sketch artist and make a composite to fit the description of a character.

Spot the Differences Analyze two photographs or images to identify differences between them.

Decoding Drawings Participate in a fast-paced relay race to undercover images from drawings.

Spyin’ Around Periscopes are older tools used for spying around corners, over walls, and out of windows. Use an empty wax paper box to create your very own!

CSI Challenge Team up with fellow investigators to solve a crime. Students will cast their own footprints too!

Who are you? Using investigative clues you will make guesses to “who-dun-it?”

Strategic Play Build trains with dominoes and branch onto side tracks. But, however you do it, you must use strategy to be the first to get rid of your domino stash!

Local law enforcement will visit the classrooms to share information on community helpers.

mini mysteries Read stories, analyze images, and use your investigative powers to solve a case.

Uncover Secret messages Invisible messages can be written using several different kinds of substances. You can experiment with different “secret inks.”

Crime stoppers You will run around to collect clues to complete and solve a crime.

Trivia Challenges Utilize your knowledge of forensics to answer an assortment of trivia questions.

Ages 5 - 7

Ages 8 - 10

Ages 11 - 13

all ages

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

Release and Waiver of Liability Form

Student Printed Name: ___________________________________________________________

Photo and Video Release: I hereby affirm that I am the parent/guardian of the above named minor. I hereby grant permission to Prairie State College (PSC) to use the said minors photograph or video on its website or in any other publication used for the college. I acknowledge the college’s right to crop or treat the photograph or video at its discretion. I also acknowledge that the college can use this photo or video at any time. I hereby waive any right that I may have to inspect or approve the finished product or the use to which it may be applied. I hereby waive all rights to receive compensation in connection with the taking and use of my photograph or videotaped image by PSC, District 515, its agents, successors and assigns, and all persons acting with its permission or upon its authority. By signing below, the undersigned hereby acknowledges that he or she has read and understands the contents of this document.

Yes, I confirm that I have read and understood the above, and give permission to photograph my child. No, I do not wish to have my child photographed.

Parent/Guardian Signature: _______________________________________________ Date: ________________

Health of Child: I represent that my child is not sick and does not have any illness or disease that is contagious. Further, I agree that if my child becomes ill and is believed by the Kids@College staff to be contagious to the other children or personnel in the PSC Kids@College program or has a fever of one hundred and one degrees (101) or higher, I will promptly pick up or arrange for another person whom I designate to pick up my child from the Kids@College program immediately.

Medical Treatment: I understand and agree that PSC does not have medical personnel available at the campus and is not authorized to administer medication. In the event that I, or the persons on the Emergency Contact Form, cannot be reached, I hereby authorize emergency medical treatment for my child, if necessary, at my expense. I am responsible for all medical care expenses incurred to treat my child’s injuries including, without limitation, medical transport, physician, hospital, lab, drug, and device expenses. For medication disbursement, please see Health and Medication form for additional information.

Technology Use: I hereby give permission to allow my child internet access through the network at PSC. I understand that internet and computer access is designed for educational purposes, by that, PSC cannot completely prevent access to controversial materials and I will not hold PSC or its employees responsible for materials acquired on the Internet. Students are responsible for appropriate and respectful behavior and use of PSC computers and computer lab. Students can only use the internet resources while under the supervision of a teacher or another staff member. I understand that students are not permitted to possess a cell phone or electronic gadgets on school grounds.

Acknowledgement of understanding: Praise and positive reinforcement are effective methods of behavior management of children. I understand the Kids@College program views behavioral management as a positive learning experience and will never use physical discipline with my child. Should problems arise which are inconsistent with the Kids@College program goals, every attempt will be made to rectify the situation.

I have read this waiver in its entirety and fully understand its terms. I acknowledge that I am signing the agreement freely and voluntarily, and intend by my signature to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law.

In addition to this waiver form, I acknowledge the Student Code of Conduct Form and Health and Emergency Contact Form will be a requirement to be signed for acknowledgment of receipt and understanding prior to my child(s) first day at Kids@College.

Printed name: _________________________________________________________________________________

Signature of Parent/Guardian: _____________________________________________ Date:_________________

19

Student Code of Conduct FormDear Parents/Guardians:

Below are the expectations for your child while attending Prairie State College’s Kids@College Program. The following goals and behavior guidelines are intended to foster a positive learning experience for all the children in attendance. Please review the requirements with your child before the first day. We will also be reviewing them with each grade level.

1. I am here to enrich my school experience by participating in a fun and creative learning environment. 2. I will support other students and respect their desire to learn. 3. I will ask questions when I need further explanation in a way that is organized and productive. 4. I will always do my best and encourage my peers as well. 5. I will be respectful to other students and staff. 6. I will not use inappropriate language and be sensitive to other beliefs and values. 7. I will not yell or run in classrooms and hallways. 8. I will keep my hands, feet, and any objects to myself. 9. I will not leave supervised areas without an authorized staff member. 10. I will only visit websites and conduct key word searches as directed by the instructor. 11. I will not bring a cell phone or other personal electronic gadgets to the school. 12. I will have fun and learn lots of things.

The student code of conduct provides both the student and their parent/guardian due notice of the expectations and consequences of any disruptive behavior. In order to assure that all Kids@College students have a positive experience, Prairie State College appreciates your understanding and assistance with adhering to these guidelines.

Please sign after reviewing the above goals and behavioral guideline with your child.

Student printed name ____________________________________________

Parent/Guardian printed name ____________________________________________

Parent/Guardian signature ____________________________________________ Date: _______________________

Parents - Children have the right to be educated in a safe and nurturing environment. PSC hereby adopts a policy of zero tolerance for weapons, inappropriate language and violence on campus.

If a student fails to follow these guidelines, he or she may be removed from their class or the Kids@College program with no refund.

In the event that a student behaves in a manner contrary to the guidelines stated above, Prairie State College Matteson Area Center staff will follow these steps: 1. Upon first observing the behavior, the instructor or staff member will ask the student to stop the offending

behavior or language. 2. If the student continues to violate the rules after a warning, the staff will complete an Incident Report Form

documenting the behavior. 3. If the disciplinary actions described in steps (1) and (2) are unsuccessful, or if the behavior is of a more serious

nature (e.g., any violent or unsafe actions toward others or themselves), the Kids@College Staff will immediately remove the student from the environment and place them in a chair in a supervised area. The action will be documented in an Incident Report Form and the designated parent(s) or guardian(s) will be contacted to pick up the student. The student’s continued participation in the program, as well as any further action, will be discussed at time.

Matteson Area Center4821Southwick Drive, Matteson, IL 60443