Students

Grades: 4 to 7
Teacher: Wendy Van Norden
Day: Wednesday
Minimum Class Size: 8
Maximum Class Size: 20
Cost: $150

Students will design and build their own creations using engineering principles and cutting-edge technology. They will learn to create and print 3D models using Tinkercad software. From start to finish, they will see the 3D printing process come alive. Students will also utilize the McDonogh Middle School Makerspace, a hands-on workshop, to solve real-world problems using the engineering design process. Robotics will also be explored; no experience is necessary.

Grades: 7 and 8
Teacher: Daryl Burch
Day: Thursday
Minimum Class Size: 5
Maximum Class Size: 15
Class Cost: $150

Daryl Burch, along with members of McDonogh's Upper School varsity debate team, will train and coach Middle School students in the skills of competitive debate. Participation in the program teaches public speaking, critical thinking, and research skills that are highly valuable in every facet of the school curriculum. Students will debate a current event controversy and prepare for a mini tournament in which all parents are invited to watch.

Grades: 3 to 5
Teacher: Kelly Burgess
Day: Thursday
Minimum Class Size: 8
Maximum Class Size: 16
Class Cost: $150
Supply Cost: $20

Do you like solving problems, using your imagination, and building things? This program is all about creative play! Children will use cardboard and recycled materials to plan, build, play, and ultimately share their inventions. Children will work in teams to tinker with materials, experiment with ideas, and just have fun.  Design challenge themes may include space, robots, boats, medieval, or arcade games.  Bring your creativity, your great ideas, and perseverance! 

Grades: 3 and 4 only
Teacher: Idea Lab Kids
Day: Friday
Minimum Class Size: 5
Maximum Class Size: 15
Class Cost: $200

Get familiar with microcontrollers, learn the basics of using electronic components and building your first robot with microcontrollers. This class is a hands-on experience with microcontrollers, motors, sensors, wires, the “nuts and bolts” (pun intended) of robotics. Utilizing off-the-shelf “real world” hardware and software, students will gain valuable robotics skills enabling them to either continue exploration at home or explore new areas of electronics, fun and learning. 

Grades: K to 6
Teachers: Arkadiy Frenkel 
Day: Monday
Minimum Class Size: 5
Maximum Class Size: 25
Class Cost: $150

Chess is a fun game that helps kids learn life skills: how to concentrate, recognize patterns, solve problems, think creatively, cultivate teamwork (among their pieces), execute short-term tactics, develop long-term strategies, manage time, and (most important!) exercise impulse control. When kids lose pieces and games because they moved their pieces impulsively, they learn to resist succumbing to the quick fix of instant gratification. When kids win pieces and games because they moved their pieces patiently, they learn to savor the enduring joy of delayed gratification.

Based on their skill level and age, players are divided into two groups that alternate between 30 minutes of lessons and 30 minutes of friendly games. Beginners are welcome! 

Arkadiy Frenkel is a US-Chess National Master and full-time chess coach. He also has directed the Chess Camp for McDonogh Summer Camps for the last eight summers. All chess supplies provided.

Grades: 3 to 5
Teacher: Jewel Xie
Day: Monday
Minimum Class Size: 5
Maximum Class Size: 15
Class Cost: $150
Supply Cost:$20

This program is designed to help students to develop an interest in Chinese culture. Students will experience the charm of traditional Chinese culture through the following activities:

1.       Chinese traditional cooking
2.       Chinese blue and white porcelain design (paper plate)
3.       Chinese folk waist drum
4.       Chinese tea ceremony and taste
5.       Chinese Ancient inventions

Grades: K to 4
Teacher: Jennifer Richter
Day: Monday
Minimum Class Size: 5
Maximum Class Size: 15
Class Cost: $150
Supply Cost: $20

Welcome to the wonderful world of CRAFTING! Kids love to create and decorate…and this class will show them exactly how to do it! With an exciting selection of activities to enjoy, your child will love exploring something new! Embrace your child’s creativity with us…you’ll be amazed by our crafty masterpieces!

Your child will be introduced to a variety of tools and techniques. We will craft eight exciting pieces during our sessions together. Explorations, creativity, and joy will be fostered as the children are encouraged to bring their own unique ‘selves’ to their crafty creations!

Grades: 3 to 5
Day: Wednesday
Teacher: Dan Wagner
Minimum Class Size: 5
Maximum Class Size: 15
Class Cost: $150

McDonogh Playhouse is designed to explore musical theater. Throughout the program, students will sing, dance, and act to create a musical review that will be performed at the end of the session. This is a wonderful class for students who want to try the dramatic arts for the first time. Students will use their imagination, express themselves and work as a team to create a one of a kind performance.

Grade:   3 to 5
Teacher: Rebecca Nickolaus
Day: Thursday
Minimum Class Size: 8
Maximum Class Size: 15
Class Cost:  $150
Supply Cost:  $20

McDonogh School Top Chef will introduce students to the foundational skills required for cooking. During each class, students will be taught about a specific cooking skill and then given time to practice that particular skill.  The goal of this class is to allow students to increase their culinary knowledge and skills and to also use their imagination and work collaboratively to design edible masterpieces.

Grades: 5 and 6
Teacher: Daryl Burch and Sidnee Mercer
Day: Wednesday
Minimum Class Size: 5
Maximum Class Size: 15
Class Cost: $150

The number one fear most people have is speaking in public. This class will motivate and encourage students to speak in public. Students will work on understanding speech, invoking emotion and pathos in the delivery of the speech, conveying appropriate tone and sentiment in the speech content, and enunciating the speech. The goals are to help students become better orators and to create interest among Middle School students for the Upper School debate program.

Grades: 1 to 4
Teacher: Idea Lab Kids
Day: Friday
Minimum Class Size: 5
Maximum Class Size: 15
Class Cost: $160

Students will take a practical, hands-on journey through various branches of science. They'll explore how technology has changed science as a discipline and how it has impacted the medical world. They'll learn about physics and discover some foundational principles that made founding pioneers of science say "Eureka!" They'll participate in an array of chemistry experiments, and they'll be introduced to the environment around them and learn how humans are leaving a footprint on the environment we live in. Each domain exploration will be completed in one or more after school classes spread across the weeks of class.

Grades: 2 to 6
Teacher: Margaret Garland
Day: Thursday
Minimum Class Size: 5
Maximum Class Size: 10
Class Cost: $160
Supply Cost: $20

Sew Fabulous Sewing Club teaches children the craft of sewing. They will learn how to use a sewing machine while making one of the following fun crafts: a quilted pillow, tote, stuffed animal or a backpack. They also learn how to read and understand a pattern, sewing techniques, and hand-stitching. Each child will work at their own pace, so they are comfortable working on the machine. When they complete their project, they will move on to creating pajama pants. All supplies and machines will be provided. Students are welcome to bring their own sewing machine. Learning the art of sewing helps students express their creativity and imagination.

Grades: 3 to 5
Teacher:Rebecca Nickolaus
Day: Wednesday
Minimum Class Size: 8
Maximum Class Size: 15
Class Cost: $150
Supply Cost: $20

Students will be able to explore the wonderfully vast cultures of Spanish-speaking countries. We will do this by cooking foods from different countries, playing traditional games, and making local arts and crafts. Each week we will dive deep into a specific country, learn all about their food and culture, and practice some Spanish, all the while having a great time.