College for Kids 2013 Course Descriptions
English Courses:
Creating Writing: How to Write a Short Story in 5 Days (new)
Grades 5-8
Faculty: Christopher Vondracek
July 8-12 @ 12:30-2pm & 2:30-4pm
July 15-19 @ 12:30-2pm & 2:30-4pm
Do you love to read books like The Hunger Games, Harry Potter, To Kill a
Mockingbird, the Giver, and Watership Down? And have you ever wanted to write
your own story? During this 5-day course, you will learn how to write dialogue,
create lovable or intriguing characters, describe a physical setting using sensory
details, and craft a dramatic plot. Working with your instructor and the other
students, you will learn what a college-level, creative writing workshop looks like,
and be encouraged to explore your imagination. Who knows, maybe your short
story will end up becoming the next great young adult fiction sensation!
Word Play (new)
Grades 5-8
Faculty: Jeanine Black
July 8-12 @ 12:30-2pm & 2:30-4pm
If you think English is boring, you've not taken this class! English is actually an
awesome language. Sometimes we just need to ask questions and play with words.
Did you ever wonder why people say "dead as a doornail" or "sleep tight?" Where
do the words "dandelion" and "pansy" come from? In addition to playing word
games, we'll explore anagrams, palindromes, spoonerisms, and oxymorons, solve
Rebus puzzles, write acrostic poems, and create our own "Mad Libs."
Magic in Literature and Art
Grades 3-8
Faculty: Halley Sobeck
July 8-12 @ 2:30-4pm
July 15-19 @ 2:30-4pm
Do you love Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, The Chronicles of
Narnia, Star Wars and other similar stories? Well so do I, and in this class we’ll be
sharing our love for imagination by reading sections from these stories and creating
art projects to go along with the readings; think origami Hedwigs, forging LotR
rings, drawing dragons, creating wizard puppets, designing your own aliens, and
much more!
STEM Courses:
Amateur Radio: Talking to the World! (new) Grades 5-8
Faculty: Melanie Reap
July 8-12 @ 12:30-2pm
July 15-19 @ 12:30-2pm
Imagine talking to someone hundreds of miles away and NOT using a phone or
computer! Amateur radio operators – hams – do it every day. In this class you’ll
learn the basics of electric circuits, radio waves, antennas, and wireless
communication. You’ll leave with your own self-built crystal radio and have the
opportunity to talk to hams around the world via radio.
Amazing Science
Grades 5-8pm
Faculty: Andrea Church
July 8-12 @ 2:30-4pm
July 15-19 @ 2:30-4pm
Explore concepts in Physical Science with fun experiments and projects. Explore
Newton's laws with an egg challenge, use simple machines to crush a grape, make a
handheld marshmallow flyer, and make other interesting contraptions that teach
science basics. This is a hands-on class that will let students explore science with
creative projects. Experiments are new or modified from last year’s class. Bring your
imagination and thinking skills for a fun week of science!
Engineering Through Models
Grades 5-8
Faculty: Bill Kuhl
July 15-19 @ 2:30-4pm
Students will learn basic engineering principles by building models such as
hydraulic syringe arm, mousetrap cars, gliders, and a model wind turbine.
Demonstrations will expose students to basic physics such as friction, lift, leverage,
and weight.
Lake Exploration – Birds, Bugs, Trees, and Small Animals
Grades 5-8
Faculty: Mitch Miller
July 8-12 @ 12:30-2pm & 2:30-4pm
July 15-19 @ 12:30-2pm & 2:30-4pm
Let’s get outside! Hiking around near the lake in Winona, students will learn to
identify animals and plants in the park. Put on sunscreen! We will be outside most
of the time, as the lake park becomes our classroom. We will identify and study
animals and plants found right here in Winona!
Math Circles: Gateways to Mathematical Habits of Mind (new)
Grades 5-8
Faculty: Lee Windsperger
July 8-12 @ 2:30-4pm
July 15-19 @ 2:30-4pm
Do you love puzzles, strategy games, or problem solving? Have you ever been
curious about what math is like after high school? If you answered yes to either of
these questions, then this course is for you! Together we will work in a fun,
interactive way to attempt to solve and understand interesting mathematical
problems and games. Along our mathematical journey, we will investigate concepts
that are not usually introduced to most students until long after high school. We
will strive to develop our problem solving abilities and critical thinking skills that
are both important indicators of a healthy mathematical mind. Join our Math Circle
and experience being a true mathematician firsthand!
Microbe Mania
Grades 3-6
Faculty: Kay Pedretti
July 8-12 @ 12:30-2pm & 2:30-4pm
Do you think microbes (bacteria, mold, viruses etc) are in your bedroom, in your
school or on your skin? Where do these nearly invisible organisms hide out? Are
microbes good or bad? Do microbes have anything to do with making cheese? Take
this lab-based course to find the answer to these questions and more!
Outdoor Adventure Navigation! (new)
Grades 3-6
Faculty: Eric Barnard
July 8-12 @ 12:30-2pm & 2:30-4pm
July 15-19 @ 12:30-2pm & 2:30-4pm
Have you ever worried about getting lost in the woods? After this class you never
will again! Learn to use GPS devices, maps, and compasses to navigate in the
outdoors. Students who participate in this class will learn the fundamentals of
backcountry navigation focusing on but not limited to: reading and understanding
topographical maps, learning how to use compasses, shoot field bearings, and
geocaching - a technique which involves finding hidden treasures using GPS units!
Wonderful World of Shells and other Sea Fascinations
Grades 3-6
Faculty: Lori Ortega
July 8-12 2:30-4pm
Have you ever wondered how a seashell lives? Did you know that there is only one
left-handed shell in the world? Did you know that a shell is colored by what it eats?
How is Winona connected directly to the most beautiful shell species in the world?
What else washes up on the beach that we can study? In this class, you will learn
about shell species identification, life cycles of ocean creatures, and discover other
fascinating things that are found on the beach. Become an oceanographer for a
week and have fun exploring many types of beautiful shells and other sea critters
through projects, learning, and fun activities. Each student will be provided with a
real shell collection of their own.
Physical Education Courses:
Chi Gong & Tai Chi for Kids
Grades 3-8
Faculty: Dr. Brice Wilkinson
July 8-12 @ 12:30-2pm & 2:30-4pm
July 15-19 @ 12:30-2pm & 2:30-4pm
This class will introduce students to the basics of Tai Chi and Chi Gong. As two
ancient forms of Chinese exercises, Tai Chi and Chi Gong are practiced for
preventive medicine, health, and vitality. They focus on soft, non-contact martial art
movements. Both gentle exercises help improve coordination, balance, and
flexibility, all while leading students to a more relaxed and tranquil state of mind.
Stomp the Schoolyard
Grades 5-8
Faculty: Connie Johnson
July 8-12 @ 12:30-2pm
July 15-19 @ 12:30-2pm
Learn to use your body as a musical instrument by clapping, stomping, snapping,
and more. Stepping isn’t just about dancing and creating music! Find out how
stepping is used to communicate and build unity. In the class you will learn
stepping basics, stepping culture, a short routine, and learn how to create your own.
Art Courses:
Art Explosion
Grades 5-8
Faculty: Erika Johnsrud
July 8-12 @ 12:30-2pm & 2:30-4pm
Ready to get creative!? In ART EXPLOSION you will create your own artistic
masterpieces! We will explore using different materials such as pencil, watercolors,
charcoal, and ink. Learn how to use these materials to create still-life drawings,
portraits, self-portraits, and much more! Be prepared to make art, friends, and fun!
CFK Snack Attack
Faculty: Rhonda Aspensen & Karen Whitney Thrune
July 8-12 @ 12:30-2pm & 2:30-4pm (Grades 5-8)
July 15-19 @ 12:30-2pm & 2:30-4pm (Grades 3-6)
The great chefs of the world will be found this summer in Winona. Join the fun!
Impress your family and friends with your new-found cooking skills.
Creating Incredible Wonders with Dyes!
Grades 3-8
Faculty: Debby Klages
July 8-12 @ 12:30-2pm & 2:30-4pm
The joy of Creating Incredible Wonders, through the use of many brilliantly colored
dyes, has kept this class among the most popular, for 25 years. Each year, new and
more advanced techniques are added for students returning for their third or even
fourth time! We will explore various ways of dying different textures of paper,
sizable cloth pieces for wall hanging, and nearly unlimited clothing you bring to
class – from socks to shirts, pillow cases, old cotton dish towels, to sneakers!
Discover Drawing
Faculty: Judy Berhow
July 8-12 @ 12:30-2pm
July 15-19 @ 12:30-2pm
Grades 3-8
Venture into the world of drawing! You will discover perspective, cartooning, Anime
drawing and story making. You’ll use a variety of drawing media to create qualities
of lines, shapes, colors, and textures. It’s fun and exciting to learn to see the world
around you as you Discover Drawing!
Hamburger Sewing Kit
Grades 5-8
Faculty: Patty Albrecht
July 8-12 @ 12:30-2pm
July 15-19 @ 12:30-2pm
As we live in a world of Re-Use, Reduce, and Recycle, I have created a fantastic use
for a wide-mouth Mason jar, lid, fabric, and thread. Students will construct their own
sewing kit, one that will provide them with a compact, yet very functional accessory
needed for travel, college, gifts, and the personal satisfaction of stating that they
created it at College for Kids! Students will learn to assemble, sew on buttons, stitch
by hand, and create with beads.
Indian Crafts
Grades 5-8
Faculty: Patty Albrecht
July 8-12 @ 2:30-4pm
July 15-19 @ 2:30-4pm
The Native American tribes of Northern Minnesota created ceremonial dresses,
trimmings, jewelry, trinkets, games and stories from all natural materials provided
from “Mother Earth.” Everything of nature served a purpose, such as: feathers,
shells, birch bark, pine needles, sweet grasses and more. This course will take you
back in time to create dream-catchers, feather art, pin needle basket weaving, birch
bark quill work, etc. Our focus will be hands-on creative crafts using no glues or
other adhesives… ALL NATURAL MATERIALS.
Mask Mania!
Grades 3-8
Faculty: Halley Sobeck
July 8-12 @ 12:30-2pm
July 15-19 @ 12:30-2pm
Make, paint, collage, and decorate masks from around the world! We will learn
about the uses and styles of Mardi Gras, Venetian, African, and lots of different
animal masks! We will use clay, paper mache, found objects, beads, feathers, plaster
molds, paint, and so much more to create your own masks from around the world!
This is a great class for students interested in different cultures and art!
Photos Fantastic!
Grades 5-8
Faculty: Andrea Church
July 8-12 @ 12:30-2pm
July 15-19 @ 12:30-2pm
Learn the basics of taking great digital photos and then how to jazz them up using
online photo editors and tools. Learn how to crop or resize photos and make
adjustments. Use special effects to make your photos silly, fancy or just plain
outrageous! We will be taking practice photos around the WSU campus to learn
basic photography skills such as macro shots, zooming, and landscapes. You must
bring your camera USB/transfer cable to class or an SD card reader to transfer your
photos to the computer. Note: please make sure cameras have fully charged
batteries before class time. Students should also bring earphones for assembling a
video with music.
Pinhole Photography
Grades 3-6
Faculty: Tom Hill
Sessions TBA
Because of its simplicity, pinhole photography is a great way to learn about how
photography works. In this hands-on class, students will learn the optics behind this
fascinating phenomenon and have a chance to build their own cameras. No
batteries, memory cards, or even lenses involved–this is photography at its simplest.
We will discuss how pinholes work and have been used artistically, but students will
spend most of their time building cameras, making exposures, and developing and
printing their photographs in a traditional black and white darkroom.
Stunning Scrapbooks
Grades 3-8
Faculty: Kercia Mueller
July 8-12 @ 12:30-2pm & 2:30-4pm
Do you want a special place to hold your pictures and memories? Do you love to
create? Then Stunning Scrapbooks is the class for you! Each day you will create a
scrapbook page or more for your special memories. Through tutorials and
techniques, you will even learn new ways to make your scrapbook pages look
absolutely stunning.
Take the Stage: Acting through Theatre Games
Grades 5-8
Faculty: Heather Williams
July 8-12 @ 12:30-2pm & 2:30-4pm
July 15-19 @ 12:30-2pm & 2:30-4pm
Do you like to perform? Do you want to learn about creating characters for the
stage and working together with fellow performers? This is the course for you! You
will learn about acting using theatre games to develop your performance skills. All
you need to bring is your imagination, creativity, and ability to have fun.
The Widening World of BATIK Awaits You!!
Grades 3-8
Faculty: Debby Klages
July 15-19 @ 12:30-2pm & 2:30-4pm
THE WIDENING WORLD OF BATIK, AWAITS - YOU!!
Since ancient times, the multi-step art of Batik has offered endless possibilities for
creativity! What awaits YOU, the artist, are beautiful explorations of your own
original drawings and designs – using both the brilliant colors of Procion dyes (also
used in the class, CREATING INCREDIBLE WONDERS WITH DYES, with low-heated
waxes! Your work, once completed, will carry the look of stained glass, as it is
translucent in light. We will explore various techniques of Batik making, using many
kinds of paper, and also amazing Rice Paper! In addition, you will learn about
painting and designing, using special Batik tools, with pieces of cloth stretched on
frames.
Watercolor Dreams
Grades 3-8
Faculty: Judy Berhow
July 8-12 @ 2:30-4pm
July 15-19 @ 2:30-4pm
Dreaming about being a painter? This class is for all budding artists and will fit just
right for all students to learn inspirational colorful, wet-in-wet watercolor
techniques. We will also explore mixed media painting and collage. All levels of
ability can learn something new and fun! Students will be supplied with brushes,
watercolor paints, paper and other supplies.
Social Studies Courses:
Working on the Railroad
Grades 5-8
Faculty: Jeanine Black
July 15-19 @ 12:30-2pm & 2:30-4pm
What was it like to work on the railroad in Minnesota and Wisconsin in the days of
steam locomotives and what is it like today? Did you know that there were
streetcars (trolleys) in many local cities, such as Winona, Minneapolis, La Crosse,
and Eau Claire? What kinds of jobs could our grandparents have on the railroads
and streetcar lines, and what jobs are available today? In this class, you will talk to
people who "work on the railroad," learn what goes on in a train station, dispatching
center, railroad yard, and maintenance facility. You will also learn interesting jargon
(words), legends, and songs about railroading. By the end of the class, you'll be able
to distinguish between different types of rail cars and how high speeds, subway
trains, monorail trains, and trolleys are different from one another.
History of Winona through Exploration
Grades 5-8
Faculty: Laura Edlund
July 8-12 @ 12:30-2pm & 2:30-4pm
July 15-19 @ 12:30-2pm & 2:30-4pm
What do you know about Winona’s History? When did Europeans first settle here?
Who lived here before that? What are some of the hidden historical gems our city
has to offer? Students will learn about Winona’s History by visiting local museums
and historical sites. They will track their discoveries in a photo collages to be
displayed and taken home the last day of class.
Foreign Language Courses:
Explore Japan!
Faculty: Kyle Aure
July 8-12 @ 2:30-4pm
Grades 5-8
July 15-19 @2:30-4pm
Come learn about Japan as we take an adventure exploring Japanese the language,
cultural arts, music, history, and anime/manga. This course is great if you are
interested in studying Global Studies, Japanese language, Asian arts, or eastern
history. I hope to see you all there!
French for Fun!
Grades 3-6
Faculty: Nancy Bachler
July 8-12 @ 12:30-2pm & 2:30-4pm
July 15-19 @ 12:30pm & 2:30-4pm
This quick course in French will give you the ability to speak and understand “un
petit” French with a pronunciation “très élégante.” French culture and cuisine are
also part of the class, and you’ll view slides and photos, sing French songs, learn
French poetry, and sample some authentic French food – NOT french fries!
Holá Spanish!
Grades 3-6
Faculty: TBA
Sessions TBA
This class will introduce the language of Spanish to students in a fun and creative
way! They will learn sounds, memorization games, vocab, spelling, and simple
expressions.