Belin-Blank Challenge Saturdays

The Belin-Blank Center in Iowa City has fabulous classes held on Saturdays that are specifically geared towards the gifted child. Most have a modest cost, but in my opinion, they are worth it. They give your child the opportunity to stretch his/her mind in a setting with other kids with like abilities. Below are some of the class selections: Innovation, Invention, and Engineering Grades 2 through 4 Sep 28, 2013-Oct 26, 2013, 9:30AM-12:30PM Challenge Saturday “Innovation, Invention, Engineering” will strengthen your inventive and engineering interests and aptitudes. In addition to direct instruction about the invention process, you will do your own independent, hands-on engineering of inventions. Over the five weeks, you will learn how inventors and engineers shape the future by creating new and original tools that make our lives easier and more rewarding. You will learn that creativity—seeing the world and how we interact in it in new ways and by asking different questions—can enhance your ability to engineer inventions. Only 2 spots remaining! Register now	Instructor: Leon Lueck Read bio
Chemistry Explorations and Investigations! Grades 4 through 6 Sep 28, 2013-Oct 26, 2013, 9:30AM-12:30PM Explore chemistry through scientific methods and discover every day applications of science! You will grow crystals and create polymers...some might even be slimy. Determine whether there are secret ingredients in various products that make them better than others and practice being wise consumers by learning how to read labels. Register now	Instructor: Deb Snook Read bio
CSI: Law & Order Grades 4 through 6 Sep 28, 2013-Oct 26, 2013, 9:30AM-12:30PM Can you solve a mystery just by looking at evidence left at the scene of the crime? Over the five weeks of this class, you will learn about chromatography of mixtures, blood spatters, crime scenes, and the use of dental impressions as well as chemical analyses of substances as tools of forensic science. You'll also be introduced to the analysis of handwriting and fingerprints. This class is full.	Instructor: Jean Oberbroeckling Read bio
Challenge Math Grades 4 through 6 Sep 28, 2013-Oct 26, 2013, 9:30AM-12:30PM This Challenge Saturday math class is designed to accelerate and strengthen 4th – 6th grade students pre-algebra and algebra reasoning skills. You will be engaged in a group work setting where you will work with others on challenge problems that offer interesting alternatives and extensions to traditional approaches to pre-algebra and algebra. Topics will include problem solving strategies, algebra, metric system, conversion factors, computation with decimals and fractions, perimeter, circumference, area, volume, ratios and proportions, and percent. Only 4 spots remaining! Register now	Instructor: Jessica Jensen Read bio
The Artist’s Studio Grades 4 through 6 Sep 28, 2013-Oct 26, 2013, 9:30AM-12:30PM In this class you will explore and expand upon your artistic talents with studio-based experiences. You will learn new techniques and work with a variety of materials in a positive, fun, and supportive environment that allows you to explore your creative ideas. We will work with watercolors and paint landscapes. You will develop your portraiture skills, exploring the proportion of the face and how to translate measurements to paper or canvas. We will work with charcoal drawing. We will create “Still Life” drawings based on your interpretations of objects you select and bring in from home. You will have an opportunity to choose your medium and create a piece of art that reflects how a favorite piece of music makes you feel. We will create abstract or realistic self-portraits. We will also discuss artwork from the Iowa City public library, having an open dialogue and sharing our interpretations. Register now	Instructor: Taera Harman Read bio
LEGO Robotics Grades 4 through 6 Sep 28, 2013-Oct 26, 2013, 9:30AM-12:30PM LEGO Robotics is designed to provide learning opportunities for students interested in an initial and fun way to learn how to design, construct, and program Lego robots to complete a desired task. NXT robots are constructed to learn how advanced programs simplify the programming process. You will work in groups of two using robotic kits to design, construct and program their robot. Mac computers (one for two students) will be used to program the robots. MINDSTORMS NXT software will be used to learn basic programming. Touch sensors, light sensors, angle sensors will be used to design robots to complete assigned tasks. First Lego League tables will be used to test the robots, refine the program, and for two robots to compete against each other. Only 4 spots remaining! Register now	Instructor: Dominic Iannone Read bio
Discover Creative Writing! Grades 6 through 8 Sep 28, 2013-Oct 26, 2013, 9:30AM-12:30PM Calling all students who love to read, observe, discover...and WRITE! Over the five Saturdays of the program we will work with various writing forms and topics, individually and in small groups. We'll read the work of other writers and use their work as models to discuss writing strategies and literary tools. We will take a few outdoor trips (weather permitting) to trigger our imagination. Students will have the opportunity to share their work with their peers, and we'll incorporate a variety of activities to keep the pen flowing. This class is full.	Instructor: Colleen Davis Read bio
GAME:IT—Programming Computer Games Grades 6 through 8 Sep 28, 2013-Oct 26, 2013, 9:30AM-12:30PM At its core GAME:IT is a computer programming course with a dash of physics, math and business mixed in—all taught through game design. In this class you will lean how to program your own computer games, teamwork and problem solving skills by using the design cycle method, and why a basic understanding of physics & math is needed in game design. You will develop technical skills like programming, graphic design and animation, testing / debugging and other skills that are needed for game development. You do not need any prior experience with computer programing to participate in GAME:IT. If you are comfortable with computing skills like using a mouse, navigating the Internet and using Microsoft Word then you have the skills to participate. Register now