IEA Academy provides students in Kindergarten through 8th grade with advanced enrichment classes that promote exploration and application of knowledge. Courses provide compelling content and appropriate challenges taught at a flexible pace with small classes by highly qualified, dedicated professionals.
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR SUMMER 2024!
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SUMMER 2024 SESSION – IN PERSON & ONLINE
SUMMER 2024 DATES
Session 1: June 17-28
Session 2: July 8-19
Session 3: July 29-August 9
Early Bird Application Deadline: Monday, April 8, 2024
Final Application Deadline: Friday, May 10, 2024
FINANCIAL AID IS AVAILABLE!
Financial aid is awarded on a first-come-first-served basis to qualified applicants.
“WE DO UNIQUE, FUN EXPERIMENTS AND ACTIVITIES TO FURTHER OUR UNDERSTANDING OF DEMANDING CONCEPTS, SUCH AS CREATING A DIAGRAM OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM MADE OUT OF DIFFERENT FOOD ITEMS TO HELP DEMONSTRATE EACH PLANET’S QUALITIES.”
–– Academy Student
“THE CLASSES AT IEA ARE CONTENT RICH. THIS IS IMPORTANT WHEN YOU NEED TO FEED AN INTELLECTUALLY HUNGRY STUDENT WHO THRIVES ON LEARNING.”
–– Academy Student
SUMMER 2024 SCHEDULE
Click a course block for details!
Session 1 (June 17-28)
Course Description:
In this smARTy Science sequel, students will continue to act as both scientists and artists as they combine the two subjects through hands-on, interdisciplinary projects. Completion of smARTy Science I is not a required prerequisite.
Full course description coming soon!
MATERIALS REQUIRED: A $25 materials fee is required.
Course Description
There is an art to geometry, and in geometry, there is art! In this course, students will apply mathematical concepts like area, perimeter, proportion and more as they make math come alive through activities like designing their own dream room or garden, or creating their own product, complete with promotional materials. Along the way, students will explore the connections between math and the world around them.
NOTE: All classes are held in Pacific Time.
Course Description:
Drawing on writing exercises developed by legendary poet teacher Kenneth Koch, students in this class will explore the five senses through the art of poetry. Together we will write Color Poems, Noise Poems, Comparison Poems, Wish Poems, and many more poems combining various strategies for entering into the world of writing. This class will encourage students to write freely and creatively, while developing an appreciation for the infinite possibilities that arise when we begin to play with language. Students will read and listen to poems by Mary Oliver, Shel Silverstein, Joy Harjo, and more. They will also explore visual modes of art-making that complement our literary adventures. At the end of the course, student work will be compiled into an anthology they can take home.
Course Description:
Fire up your brain cells and get ready to explore a fascinating microscopic world! Though cells are tiny, they are complex machines with moving parts and unique jobs to do based on their structure. Students will become cell experts through hands-on activities, discussion, and using a microscope to see living cells in action. This class will investigate single-celled organisms such as amoebas and bacteria, animal and plant cells, cellular processes, and even how some of our own uniquely structured cells work together to keep our bodies healthy.
MATERIALS REQUIRED: A $25 materials fee is required.
Course Description:
In this class, students will be introduced to what it means to be a scientist and to see, understand, and explore science in the world around us. Students will engage in scientific labs and field studies to develop their observational and laboratory skills. One of the main goals of the course is to expand each student’s sense of curiosity while presenting them with the tools used by scientists to explore.
MATERIALS REQUIRED: A $25 materials fee is required.
Course Description:
Mathematicians are pattern seekers, experimenters, describers, tinkerers, inventors, visualizers, conjecturers, and guessers. This class allows students to establish these habits of mind in a comfortable environment while tackling “low floor, high ceiling” problems that are easy to understand, yet allow exploration at different levels and from different points of view. In this course, young mathematicians will have the opportunity to get together and discuss big mathematical ideas in deep and meaningful ways.
MATERIALS REQUIRED: A $15 materials fee is required.
Course Description:
The Middle Ages has been branded unfairly as the “Dark Ages,” a time in which little progress was made in science, technology, or learning. However, the advances made in this time demonstrate otherwise! In this class, we will learn about the various ways in which medieval scholars advanced knowledge in the fields of machinery, architecture, botany, mathematics, and chemistry (alchemy). We will learn the history of science in this time, along with engaging in hands-on experiments and constructions. We will also learn about the ways in which medieval science and modern science overlap. Activities will include building and testing miniature catapults and trebuchets, simulating medieval chemistry experiments, building models of Gothic arches, and more!
MATERIALS REQUIRED: A $25 materials fee is required.
Course Description:
In this course, students will study various topics within the field of paleontology, such as the origin of life, evolutionary radiation and extinctions, fossil preservation, paleoecology, isotope analysis, and key innovations. This class will draw elements from physics, biology, botany, ecology, chemistry, and geology- and will reveal how all these fields are entwined in Earth’s geological past as demonstrated by fossil records. Students will explore how the physical remains of organisms and traces of their behavior are incorporated into the geologic record as well as how paleontologists determine geological ages and ancient environments.
MATERIALS REQUIRED: A $35 materials fee is required.
Course Description:
The abilities to observe, recognize, and describe characteristics; distinguish similarities and differences; and identify and complete sequences, classifications, and analogies are the building blocks of critical thinking. This class is designed to introduce younger students to formal and informal logic, making logic studies accessible and relevant to younger learners. Topics throughout the course will allow students to connect language and mathematics to logic as they improve analytical and problem-solving skills. Students will solve mysteries and puzzles, analyze arguments, draw conclusions, and identify logical fallacies. Students will also be introduced to logic gates, truth tables, and Boolean logic – the basis of modern computing! The skills developed and practiced throughout the class will continue to serve students across all academic disciplines.
NOTE: All classes are held in Pacific Time.
Course Description:
Have you ever wondered what made The Incredibles, Frozen, and E.T. box office hits? Find out by creating your own original screenplay! Students in this class will be introduced to the 7 basic steps of writing a made-for-movie script, while exploring cinematic elements such as concept, conflict, and characterization to create a story that tells by showing. Through practicing techniques that guide dialogue and action, students will build confidence in their ability to express themselves in writing and, in the spirit of adventure and fun, take part in ‘acting out’ scenes. Mastery will be demonstrated by the creation of a short-written screenplay, which illustrates independent thinking and progress in reading, writing, and verbal expression. Students will learn and apply ways to effectively use screenwriting techniques to guide dialogue and action.
Course Description:
This class will provide students with knowledge of genetics through an overview of the history of the study of inheritance, a discussion of the origins of genetic variation and diversity, DNA replication mechanisms, and real-life applications. Students will also learn about the mutations in the human genome that cause genetic disorders. Finally, we will discuss the development of genetic techniques, such as sequencing and genetic engineering, and its role in scientific research and modern medicine. Mastery will be demonstrated by accurate predictions and conclusions based on genetic data, fluency in genetic terminology and pathologies, and an understanding of both the positive implications and potential problems associated with genetic engineering techniques.
Course Description:
Comics and graphic novels, or sequential art, have become some of the most accessible and engaging media for storytelling in the world. This course will provide students with the tools necessary to carefully balance art and language to construct narratives that bring their original characters and stories to life. Students will learn and apply elements of creation unique to visual storytelling, including drawing and inking techniques, character design, narrative rules, sequencing, page layout, text distribution, and more! By the end of the course, students will have completed a full-length comic, and they will have a roadmap to continue on to even longer visual stories.
MATERIALS REQUIRED: A $10 materials fee is required.
Course Description:
Students in this course will have the opportunity to do a deep dive into the process of scientific experimentation. In this two-week course, students will spend the first week conducting teacher-led experiments on topics such as thermal energy and seed germination. In the second week, students will select their own experiment to conduct over the course of the entire week. They will decide which variables to manipulate, how to measure and collect data, and formulate their own evidence-based conclusions.
MATERIALS REQUIRED: A $35 materials fee is required.
Course Description:
Summer is the perfect time to explore the great outdoors, but to get the most out of your nature expeditions, you’ll need some know-how in addition to your hiking gear to venture into the wilderness with confidence and to even lead the pack! In this class, students will learn how to be self-sufficient out on the trail by practicing skills such as knot-tying, map reading, outdoor cooking, and learning various ways to stay safe in the wilderness including how to distinguish edible plants from poisonous ones. Perhaps most importantly, students will learn how to protect the precious natural environment around them as they put their newfound skills to the test.
MATERIALS REQUIRED: A $25 materials fee is required.
Course Description:
In this course, students will learn about the molecular biology and biochemistry of viruses and virus infection by focusing on a few viruses that impact our world and everyday life. We will study the fundamentals of virus structure, virus multiplication (lytic and lysogenic cycles), disease mechanisms, prevention and intervention of infection, and how viruses pose threats to human and animal health through emergence and evolution. The first week will focus on viruses and pathogenic specific to animals and in the second week will focus on learning about one new bug (virus) per day. At the course’s conclusion, students will understand principles and themes in modern-day virology, including virus pathogenesis, vaccination, anti-viral drugs, and gene therapy.
Course Description:
Prepare to have a scientific comeback for any gloomy outlook on the world. In this course we will look at extreme and bizarre ecosystems to see how life survives against the greatest odds, and discuss how we can apply those concepts to the challenges ahead. We will look for clues in the history of life’s greatest disasters–and how life has recovered. We will take a survey of the most encouraging and cutting-edge developments in biology, ecology and medicine. Through researching the past and present, we will brainstorm plans for the future and identify ways we can encourage and advocate for changes that could really make a difference.
MATERIALS REQUIRED: A $10 materials fee is required.
Session 2 (July 8-19)
Course Description
The animal kingdom is buzzing with amazing architects of structures and systems! City-like beehives, earthworm tunnels, termite mounds, weaver bird nests, and beaver dams are examples of spectacular structures designed and built by animals. This class will look not only at animals’ impressive structures, but also how some species help keep nature in balance through pollination, decomposition, and more! Students will learn from, and about, animal builders, demonstrating their mastery by building a product inspired by an animal architect.
MATERIALS REQUIRED: A $25 materials fee is required.
Course Description:
What is mathematics? This is the essential question young mathematicians will explore throughout this course as they solve puzzles, play games, create mathematical art, and more. Through activities such as polyomino puzzles, practicing spatial reasoning while creating three dimensional figures, and even making their own kaleidoscopes, students will experience math in a fresh light and uncover what it means to think like a mathematician.
MATERIALS REQUIRED: A $10 materials fee is required.
Course Description
Electromagnetic forces that we don’t feel? States of matter we never experience on Earth? There are definitely strange things going on in space, including the discovery in 2022 that galaxies are moving away from the Milky Way. In this course, we will journey through the universe to uncover weird scientific phenomena like pink stuff in space, a large quasar group, a planet made of diamonds and even a visitor from another star. Let’s explore and learn about the unexplainable to understand why they are part of space and much more!
NOTE: All classes are held in Pacific Time.
Course Description
Course description coming soon!
Course Description
Young astronomers prepare to blast off into a deep exploration of all things outer space! This hands-on course will feature students acting as experimenters, scholars, and theorizers as each lesson takes them deeper into the field of astronomy. From Ancient Greece to modern day, students will investigate how astronomers have come to understand the scientific principles that govern our universe as they zoom in to stars and out to distant galaxies! Mastery will be demonstrated by creative projects that illustrate understanding of concepts covered in class.
MATERIALS REQUIRED: A $10 materials fee is required.
Course Description
Learn coding basics while using the Circuit Playground Express to make fun interactive projects and games. You’ll get hands-on experience coding and building cool stuff that sparks your imagination. From simple coding concepts to more advanced tricks, you’ll explore the world of technology and creativity. Develop skills in coding and design that’ll let you make awesome projects of your own!
MATERIALS REQUIRED: A $40 materials fee is required.
Course Description
This class will focus on the history of woodcut from its pre-origins in Mesopotamia and Egypt, to its origins and development in Asia, through to its use and popularity in Europe. Students will study and discuss the works of woodcut artists and engravers, such as Hokusai, Campagnola, Dürer, Doré, Beardsley, and Escher. Woodcut and printmaking techniques will be presented, and students will be carving linoleum and EZ-Cut blocks, using linoleum cutters, for printing on textiles and paper. Through replication of various artistic movements throughout history, students will have the opportunity to hone their printmaking skills. Students will express their knowledge and creativity through exploration and development of their own personal styles and themes.
MATERIALS REQUIRED: A $20 materials fee is required.
Course Description
What strange life forms may be swimming around in the inky depths of Saturn’s moon, Enceladus? What if there was a miniature black hole lurking in the outermost edge of our solar system? What would it take to intercept a mysterious asteroid or comet dropping in from interstellar space? How will we get there? What will we bring? What mysteries will we discover? In this class, students will get a unique opportunity to explore the answers to these questions in a choose-your-own-adventure experience. Students will form their own space agencies and play a variety of different roles as they design and execute a simulated space mission–from designing trajectories and determining payloads, to launch and beyond. The class will blend reality with imagination and speculation–a fantastical sci-fi odyssey that is none-the-less grounded in propulsion physics/rocketry, orbital dynamics, engineering and cutting-edge planetary science. Put your helmets on and suit up…it will be a wild ride!
MATERIALS REQUIRED: A $10 materials fee is required.
Course Description
Ready to put your imagination to the test? In this course, students will have the opportunity to develop their creativity and engineering skills as they collaborate to tackle real-world challenges alongside silly scenarios that result in new and improved engineering methods and creations. Can you design a hurricane-proof house? How could you lift an elephant into a rail car? Get ready to bring your ideas to the table for innovative and interdisciplinary solutions! Mastery will be demonstrated through hands-on projects and collaborative activities that illustrate knowledge of concepts covered in class.
MATERIALS REQUIRED: A $25 materials fee is required.
Course Description
Geometry and trigonometry have very practical roots in making things. We will use a mix of 3D prints, paper, and some common household items to build intuition and estimation skills. We start with the basics (rectangular solids, circles) and go on to conic sections, astronomy and architecture applications, and more. We will demonstrate with models created in OpenSCAD (http://www.openscad.org/) which is an open-source, free CAD program that allows students to learn geometrical concepts like translation, rotation and scaling by manipulating virtual geometrical figures. Students will use open-source 3D printable models developed by the instructors for their book Make: Geometry (and the upcoming Make:Trigonometry). Selected models will be 3D printed at IEA. Mastery will be demonstrated by the student’s ability to go beyond basic understanding by modifying and enhancing these models. Some coding experience will be helpful but is not absolutely needed.
MATERIALS REQUIRED: A $25 materials fee is required.
Course Description
Let’s explore the wonderful world of histology by studying cells and tissues under the microscope! In this class, students will use microscopes to explore various tissues and cells at the microscopic level. We will discuss the elegant structure and function of each tissue and the cells that comprise the tissues. Students will create colorful and detailed sketches of what they view under the microscope. Students will create their own unique artistic representation of the cells and tissues that they study. At the end of the session, students will have created their own colorful histology guidebook.
Course Description
Students in this class will be introduced to foundational philosophical concepts while learning how to question, reason, and debate in the tradition of Western philosophers through the ages. Drawing from influential thinkers chronicled in Nigel Warburton’s “A Little History of Philosophy” and poignantly illuminated by children’s authors Shel Silverstein and others, this course will guide students to discover their own insights as they hone their verbal and listening skills in spirited dialogue. Mastery will be demonstrated by the application of concepts in discussion and the construction of a creative project.
Course Description
Do you want to learn how to combine LEGOs and Scratch programming to make robots? In this course, students will learn to program LEGO Mindstorms EV3 robots with the widely-used Scratch visual programming language and assemble appropriate combinations of motors and mechanisms to complete different challenges. We will explore how robots work, and ways to use the mechanisms available to perform tasks. Some experience with visual programming will be helpful but is not required. We will dive into some other related robotics topics based on student inquiry and interests!
Course Description
Welcome to the fascinating world of speculative evolution! Armed with information about a planet (or system of planets), students will create creatures that would evolve to thrive in that alien environment and come up with a web of life/food chain for these creatures. Each class meeting in this course will represent the passage of 500 million years and students will speculate how their ecosystem of imaginary creatures would change and evolve during these spans of time. As the course unfolds, students will bring their creatures to life, creating original artistic renderings (drawing, painting, sculpting, etc.). In the final weeks, the timeline will accelerate involving the evolution of intelligence, technology, civilization, and culture, and the course will culminate with an art exhibit of all the creatures and entities that the students created. Join us on this exciting adventure, where the only limitation is the vastness of the cosmos itself!
MATERIALS REQUIRED: A $15 materials fee is required.
Course Description
From Yosemite’s granite Half Dome, to the crystal caves of Naica, Mexico, to the lava flows of Hawaii’s Kīlauea, earth is a geochemist’s playground! In this class, students will be introduced to high-school level chemistry tailored to basic solid-state crystal chemistry and isotopic geochemistry. Students will learn the theory and basics behind these fundamental fields for understanding past, present, and future geological processes. They will learn how to use quantitative tools to construct narratives of these processes and their relevance to important issues in earth science, such as historical climate science and geothermal power. Mastery will be demonstrated through the ability to apply quantitative measurements to experiments that express concepts covered in class.
MATERIALS REQUIRED: A $35 materials fee is required.
Course Description
From lights in the skies and scintillating silver saucers, to mystery airships and orbs…sightings of unexplained phenomena and bizarre objects continue to confound people all over the world. And beyond our atmosphere, our galaxy is littered with exoplanets and moons which may be repositories of alien life. From the edge of the milky way to the icy ocean moons of Jupiter to the deserts of the great American South West, the universe is full of strange phenomena and possibilities which may point to the existence of Non-Human-Intelligence. In this class, we will attempt to explore these anomalies and the possibilities they present. Although this class can be considered a continuation of IEA’s legendary and wildly popular “Space and UFOs: Celestial Enigmas”, taking the first one is not a prerequisite and you need not know anything going in. There are only two requirements for admission: a curious mind, and eyes that are ready to watch the skies!
MATERIALS REQUIRED: A $15 materials fee is required.
Course Description
Do you know the difference between venom and poison? In Venomous and Poisonous Creatures, we will learn all about the ecology and evolution of the animal kingdom’s masters of chemical warfare. We will cover how animals utilize their toxins, what poisons and venoms do to the body, and even safety protocols should you be on the receiving end of a bite or sting. Mastery will be demonstrated by a final creative project illustrating concepts covered.
NOTE: All classes are held in Pacific Time.
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Microscopes & Art: Cells and Tissues9:00 am – 10:30 am
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A Philosopher's Guide to Thinking Outside the Box11:00 am – 12:30 pm
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LEGO Mindstorms EV3 Robotics1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
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Alien Evolution: The Last Cataclysm1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
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Geochemistry3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
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Space and UFOs: The Final Frontier3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
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Venomous & Poisonous Creatures3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Session 3 (July 29-August 9)
Course Description
Let’s get curious, crafty, creative, and innovative! Do you ever wonder what folks did for entertainment and fun before there were video games and electronics? Let’s jump back in time and discover together what folks in ancient civilizations invented as means for passing time and engaging in competition. In this class we will learn about the history of a variety of games whose beginnings can be traced to the days of ancient civilizations. We will learn all about the people, the time, and the games that were played. We will then design, create, and learn to play our own versions of these ancient games using a variety of found and recycled materials. Get ready to build, play, and work with your classmates as we learn about ancient games!
MATERIALS REQUIRED: A $20 materials fee is required.
Course Description
What exactly is a robot, and how does it work? While working with their very own Sphero Mini robots, students will learn how to use block coding to control the robot’s every move, from navigating around obstacles to playing Sphero soccer. Complex thinking, cooperation, and problem-solving skills will be developed as students tackle challenges in this fun, hands-on class.
MATERIALS REQUIRED: A $55 materials fee is required for the purchase of a Sphero Mini robot that students will take home at the end of the course.
Course Description
Have you ever wondered where all the trash we throw away goes, how much water a single household consumes each day, or how much packaging it takes to contain a bag of chips? In this class, students will explore environmental issues through hands-on projects such as building a catchment basin and landfill and analyzing urban run-off and alternative energy systems. Through an inquiry-based approach, students will find innovative solutions for sustainability and become defenders of our planet Earth! Mastery will be demonstrated by the application of the scientific method to lab and field experiments, and the construction of creative projects.
MATERIALS REQUIRED: A $25 materials fee is required.
Course Description
Up, up, and away we go! This course will explore how balloons can be used to power a vehicle, absorb chemicals, or propel a hovercraft. Students will experiment with physics, chemistry, aerodynamics, and more using ordinary balloons.
MATERIALS REQUIRED: A $25 materials fee is required.
Course Description
Welcome to the imaginative world of improv comedy! This class will explore how to think fast and make up hilarious scenes and sketches on the spot. Using various rules and techniques, you’ll learn how to craft successful improv scenes that will leave everyone in stitches. We’ll also learn different warm-ups and games that will put these skills to the test and expand what you think you can do on your feet. This class is great for anyone wanting to hone their existing comedy chops or for anyone looking to get out of their head and have fun!
Course Description
Calvin is no ordinary boy. Like many of our wonderful Academy students, he’s highly gifted with an extraordinary imagination. He falls into daydreams in which he does fantastical things along with his sidekick, Hobbes. To everyone else, Hobbes is just a stuffed tiger, but to Calvin, he’s very real. He represents the voice of reason. We’ll read and analyze the comic strip and study how Calvin uses his amazing mind to get him through daily challenges. The students will create an alter ego like Calvin’s Spaceman Spiff and write their own stories in the format of a comic strip.
Course Description
Technology is often driven by the need to defend territories or the desire to conquer new ones. In this class, students will learn about offensive and defensive techniques in medieval warfare. They will learn Tinkercad to design and 3D print models of some of these. Students will then take on the role of military advisors and invent “secret weapons” that would have been plausible at the time but were not invented until much later. For the final sessions of the course, we will role play famous land and naval battles of the period, but with a twist! Students will incorporate their own secret weapons to the respective sides. Mastery will be demonstrated by being able to discuss and apply strategy and technology appropriate to the period.
MATERIALS REQUIRED: A $10 materials fee is required.
Course Description
Calling all engineers, inventors, and builders! Get ready to take on exciting challenges that will put your innovation skills to the test. This course will present students with tasks that combines science, technology, engineering, art, and math, then they’ll work to creatively accomplish the feats while following the guidelines. These challenges support both independence and teamwork skills while strengthening engineering intuition and hands-on building techniques.
MATERIALS REQUIRED: A $25 materials fee is required.
Course Description
Life began in the oceans millions of years ago and to this day the sea still holds uncountable mysteries. We will be taking an in-depth (pun intended!) look at the amazing and diverse animal species that inhabit the ocean. Over the course of this class, you’ll examine animal artifacts and fossils and learn amazing facts about animal morphology, anatomy, evolution, behavior, ecology, and more. Each lesson will focus on a different group of marine organisms and our curriculum will cover the following subjects: sharks and rays, bony fish, marine mammals, sea birds, marine reptiles, invertebrates, and even sea monsters. We will also take a look at the impact humans have had on the marine environment. Grab your scuba mask, hold your breath, and get ready to take the plunge into Marine Biology!
NOTE: All classes are held in Pacific Time.
Course Description
Unlock your creativity and learn the fundamentals of programming in Python through an engaging and interactive experience! This course will use the Python Turtle Sandbox and is designed for students who are interested in learning text coding and exploring the world of computer graphics. Through the Turtle graphics library, students will discover how to use code to create beautiful, intricate designs, patterns, and animations. Students will learn to type their own code to gain a solid understanding of Python syntax and programming concepts, including loops, functions, and conditional statements. Each student’s code will generate lines, shapes, patterns, and fractals only limited by their own imaginations! The creations will come to life through experimentation with colors, digital pens, animation, and other graphical elements.
Course Description
Tired of someone else making the rules? Think you could organize a better way of living? Want to be a king or queen? Here’s your chance! In this class you will choose where your country will be and what it will be called. Big cities? Small towns? You decide. Students will go step by step to create their own countries. They will draw a map of it, make a flag, choose their laws, and write a constitution. Mastery will be demonstrated by students displaying their countries for a gallery walk and writing about their favorite part of each student’s country.
Course Description
“Everyone is the hero in his or her own myth,” wrote Joseph Campbell. Come and join us in this unique class as we explore the concept of the hero’s journey by following in the steps of Luke Skywalker, through text and film. Students will learn about the narrative structure of the hero’s journey, discuss themes, explore underlying ethics and morals, analyze characters and their actions and, throughout the course, appreciate that we all go through the journey of life, learning from mentors, facing obstacles and celebrating triumphs. Mastery will be demonstrated through creative projects as well as through the opportunity to write about being a Jedi Knight.
Course Description
Flying cars? Novel types of renewable energy? Never-before-seen architectural styles? There are endless options for how cities might look in the future. With their future citizens in mind, students will have the opportunity to discuss their ideas, acting as aeronautical, electrical, mechanical, and civil engineers to imagine and create their own cities. Mastery will be shown through completion of a scale model of a city that could be viable in the future.
NOTE: All classes are held in Pacific Time.
Course Description
Do you want to learn how to use basic electronics to create wizarding tools, like an animal familiar or a wand that lights up in response to what it senses? This course will teach you how to use the Micro:bit, a specialized microprocessor that has sensors to detect acceleration, sound, light, and more, and the ability to light up patterns on a small display. The students will build several different projects around their Micro:bit during the course, including one that has a part that moves, one that lights up, and perhaps some efforts to make projects communicate with each other or work in tandem. Some programming background (in C, Python, Arduino, etc.) will be helpful but not absolutely required. Students may be asked to bring a hat, belt, fabric scraps etc. to enhance their creations. Mastery will be demonstrated by programming and testing these projects.
MATERIALS REQUIRED: A $40 materials fee is required.
To download a PDF version of the Spring Academy schedule, click below.
To be notified when information about new Academy sessions becomes available, please sign up for our email list and indicate an interest in Academy.
SUMMER 2024 TUITION
- 90 Minute In-Person – $450 for 15 hours of instruction
- 60 Minute Online – $275 for 10 hours of instruction
MATERIALS
SUMMER 2024 DISCOUNTS
- Multiple class discount: $20 off for each additional class
- Early bird discount: $20 off total tuition for enrolling by April 8
- Sibling discount: $20 – Siblings enrolled in the same session will receive $20 off each student’s total tuition
- Referral discount: $20 off total tuition for both referred and referring families
TUITION ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE!
We are pleased to be able to offer need-based tuition assistance. Families who would like to apply for tuition assistance must submit materials before each session in which they are enrolled. To make decisions in a fair and equitable manner, IEA Academy requires that new and returning families submit all of the following tuition assistance request materials to LMittermiller@EducationalAdvancement.org by Friday, May 31, 2024.
- A completed 2024 Financial Aid Request Form, including which classes your child will be taking. Please complete a Financial Aid Request Form for each child;
- A letter describing the circumstances that make tuition assistance necessary for your child(ren) to attend the Academy session to which they are applying;
- A copy of your most recent tax return. If parents/legal guardians file taxes separately, please include both tax returns.
PAYMENT AND REFUNDS
Tuition may be paid by Visa, MasterCard, or check (made payable to Institute for Educational Advancement).
As the session approaches, a $75 enrollment deposit per course is due. Enrollment deposits are non-refundable and non-transferrable should your child withdraw their enrollment prior to or after the first class meeting. The remaining tuition balance less the deposit amount and applied discounts will be posted to your account and due after the first class meeting. There are no refunds for withdrawals after the second class meeting.
If you will be paying tuition in part or in full using charter school funds, please contact us at Academy@EducationalAdvancement.org. IEA is an approved vendor with many charter schools, including:
- Blue Ridge (part of Inspire Charter Schools)
- Golden Valley
- iLead
- Sage Oak
- Sky Mountain
- Granite Mountain
- Excel Academy
- Suncoast
EXTENDED CARE
Academy is now offering extended care during the summer sessions! Families who would like to drop their students off as early as 8:00am and/or pick up as late as 5:30pm may now do so for an additional fee of $100 per 2-week summer session, per child. Though extended care students will be supervised at all times, no additional programming will be provided except for access to Academy’s books, games, and drawing materials. Outdoor play space may be available depending on weather.
Please register for extended care using this registration form and reach out to academy@educationaladvancement.org if your plans change. Families who do not register for extended care but are consistently more than 10 minutes late for pickup will be charged for extended care. If your child is not enrolled in a full day of Academy classes but you would like them to be onsite without you for more than 10 minutes before their first class or after their last class, please reach out to see what we can accommodate.
Full-Day Program
No additional fee
Morning Drop Off: 8:50-9:00am
Afternoon Pick Up: 4:30-4:40pm
Extended Care
$100 per 2-week session
Morning Drop Off: 8:00-9:00am
Afternoon Pick Up: 4:30-5:30pm
“We couldn’t have imagined a more ideal learning environment: one that combines high level academics with instructors who are consistently interested and nurturing.”
– Academy Parent
Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges
533 Airport Blvd., Suite 200
Burlingame, CA 94010
Website: www.acswasc.org