The deadline to register for Clark State’s College for Kids summer program is approaching, and this year Clark State will offer more than 25 class opportunities, each developed for student enrichment. Students entering kindergarten through eighth grade can select from a variety of courses.

The five-week schedule, beginning June 13, consists of different programs each week, including new course options in Digital Comic Illustration, Engineering Fashion, Food Science Technology, Geospatial Technology and Jr. Journalism/TV Reporting.

Kareem Fiber will be entering fourth grade in August. He attended College for Kids in the summer of 2015 and will return this summer. He feels like College for Kids gives him a chance to learn about a real career he’d like to study when he’s older.

Kareem’s mother Juliet Fiber said she chose College for Kids again for her son because he is on campus and becomes familiar with higher education. “I like that this program has helped him improve in math and his desire to learn while having fun too,” she said.

Also new this year, Clark State is offering scholarships in varying amounts to eligible children to help defray the cost of attending College for Kids. The deadline to apply for a College for Kids scholarship is Monday, June 6. Scholarship recipients will be notified of the amount within a week of requesting a scholarship. Payment will be required only after scholarship notifications have been made. 

Kanesha Hall, STEM programming manager for Clark State, said this year’s curriculum includes additional emphasis on science, technology, engineering and math. “We wanted to make sure we have technology involved, as well as keep theatre arts, writing arts and our nature classes,” said Hall.

Topic areas include: STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math), STEMM (science, technology, engineering, math and medicine), theatre arts, writing arts, nature, music and dance. All activities are conducted in a non-graded environment encouraging personal growth and development.

Geospatial Technology and Food Science Technology are new this year and will give middle school students exposure to and experience in two majors offered at Clark State.

Hall said Geospatial Technology students will use GPS and coding. “Students will learn the science of satellites and using images from space to determine if a river is dried up, conditions of aquifers, view aerial images of cattle and their eating patterns and look at crops,” she said.

Food Science Technology students will make their own food, candy and juices. “They will learn what is in bubblegum and how you make the best kind,” said Hall. Students will also test food products, learn marketing basics and food safety. Students will have the opportunity to learn in Clark State’s new Food Science laboratories.

The Junior Journalism; Ladybugs, Tarantulas and Butterflies; and Catapult Painting courses are also being debuted. “College for Kids is an opportunity to address an interest and for parents to coach their children to start thinking about that and using the summer time to practice skills,” said Hall. “Youth programming on a college campus with focus on job skills and professionalism, even with younger kids, is really helpful in making them feel prepared. Our teachers are experts in their fields.”

Hall said the College for Kids teacher-student ratio is low, allowing for more one-on-one teaching; classes are not graded and allow for exploratory learning. A new day camp option is also available. Each week, two classes are paired together to offer students a full day of camp. Classes are located on one campus and are designed for students in the same grade-level section. Those who register for the day camp will be on campus for the whole day and will need to pack a lunch.