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YSI Class Descriptions

Debate Club

  • Description: Learn how to build strong arguments, think on your feet, and speak with confidence. Students team up for friendly debates on fun topics. No experience needed.

  • Grades: Completed 5th–8th

  • Instructor: Ana Herrero

Game Show Mania

  • Description: Compete as contestants in popular game shows (examples include Survivor and Minute to Win It). Use your brain, muscles, and focus to beat the clock.

  • Grades: Completed 3rd–5th; and completed 6th–8th

  • Instructors: Kailee Keur, Maya Beaman

Kahoot Mania

  • Description: High-energy trivia fun. Students create their own Kahoot games for the class to play, using creativity and quiz-making skills.

  • Grades: Completed 5th–8th

  • Instructor: Ana Herrero

Math Quest

  • Description: Problem-solving activities to reinforce math concepts students have already learned in class.

  • Grades: Completed 1st–2nd

  • Instructor: Christy Crumpton

Model Building

  • Description: Students build a model from a kit of their choosing. Learn tips and tricks, select a kit, build, then add color and details. Students complete a take-home project over the week.

  • Grades: Completed 4th–8th

  • Fee: $5

  • Instructors: Emilia Muterspaugh, Sara Norris

Pixar STEAM

  • Description: Use challenges inspired by Pixar movies to create solutions while learning about topics such as aerodynamics and tension.

  • Grades: Completed 1st–6th

  • Instructor: Amanda Willoughby

Planet Pop

  • Description: Create your own world through hands-on arts and crafts. Students watch popular art videos for inspiration, then design food, landscapes, creatures, and details to make a unique planet.

  • Grades: Completed 3rd–6th

  • Instructor: Myia Kidd

Storybook Solvers

  • Description: A book club where each story leads to a math challenge. Read picture books and complete a hands-on problem-solving activity.

  • Grades: Completed 1st–2nd

  • Instructor: Christy Crumpton

Wicked for Good

  • Description: Inspired by the story of Elphaba and Glinda. Students use drama games, creative writing, and arts and crafts to explore themes of friendship and acceptance.

  • Grades: Completed 4th–8th

  • Note: Students should have seen the movie(s) or stage production.

  • Instructor: Ashlyn Bledsoe

Food and Culinary Experiences

Important note for all cooking classes: No food allergies or food restrictions allowed.

Bake Like a Boss

  • Description: Learn bake and no-bake recipes for shareable treats.

  • Grades: Completed 5th–8th

  • Fee: $5

  • Instructor: Brooke Bledsoe

Chocolate Fever!!

  • Description: Learn how chocolate is made, sample recipes, learn about being a chocolatier, and debate which is better (Hershey or Mars).

  • Grades: Completed 1st–4th; and completed 5th–8th

  • Fee: $5

  • Note: Not recommended for nut allergies.

  • Instructor: Angela Kennedy

Cookies by Design

  • Description: Learn to decorate cookies with creative designs.

  • Grades: Completed 4th–6th; and completed 5th–8th

  • Fee: $5

  • Note: Food allergy awareness noted in description.

  • Instructors: Denise Beaman, Kim Stinson

Farm to Table (F2T)

  • Description: Make snacks such as blueberry smoothies, peanut butter/chocolate energy balls, and caramel popcorn balls. Also includes ingredient-guessing in specialty dips while learning how food goes from farm to table.

  • Grades: Completed 1st–3rd; and completed 4th–8th

  • Fee: $5

  • Instructors: Ryan Palmer, Simone Salghetti

Harry Potter Eats and Treats

  • Description: Read passages from Harry Potter, then create refreshments inspired by the books.

  • Grades: Completed 1st–4th

  • Fee: $5

  • Instructor: Mary Morreale

Kids in the Kitchen

  • Description: Learn basic cooking techniques while making snacks and desserts. Students leave with a cookbook of recipes created. Repeats welcome.

  • Grades: Completed 1st–4th

  • Fee: $5

  • Instructors: Aurora Casillas, Jessica Ruiz

Mmmmmm Chocolate!

  • Description: Learn about chocolate making, sample different chocolates, and make chocolate treats.

  • Grades: Completed 1st–4th

  • Fee: $5

  • Instructor: Eva Muterspaugh

Rolling in the Dough

  • Description: Cook, knead, and bake while measuring, mixing, and calculating—then eat what you create.

  • Grades: Completed 1st–4th

  • Fee: $5

  • Instructors: Ginny Urban or Ashlee Anderson

Arts and crafts

Balloon Art

  • Description: Learn to create balloon centerpieces, mini balloon garlands, and balloon arrangements.

  • Grades: 2nd–4th; and 3rd–6th

  • Fee: $5

  • Note: No latex allergies.

  • Instructor: Ashlee Anderson

Bracelet Bonanza

  • Description: Make beaded bracelets, friendship bracelets, rubber band bracelets, or create your own style.

  • Grades: Completed 4th–8th

  • Instructor: Catherine Curtis

Cartooning with Mr. Ollie

  • Description: Learn basic drawing techniques and how they connect to cartoon art.

  • Grades: 3rd–5th; and 6th–8th

  • Instructor: Tim Oliphant

Crafting Corner

  • Description: Create a craft project of your choice using materials such as beads and yarn.

  • Grades: Completed 4th–8th

  • Fee: $5

  • Instructor: Catherine Curtis

Beginner Drawing

  • Description: Improve drawing using pencils, charcoal, pen and ink, markers, and oil pastels.

  • Grades: Completed 1st–4th

  • Instructor: Audra Reeves

Advanced Drawing

  • Description: Focus on shading and portrait drawing.

  • Grades: Completed 3rd–4th

  • Instructor: Audra Reeves

Embroidery

  • Description: Learn multiple embroidery designs and create one-of-a-kind pieces that can become a pillow or other small items.

  • Grades: Completed 1st–4th; and completed 4th–6th

  • Fee: $5

  • Instructors: Sarah Deweese, Erin Mishkin

Knitwit

  • Description: Knitters of all levels learn new skills and make projects to wear and share.

  • Grades: Completed 1st–4th

  • Fee: $5

  • Instructor: Helen Corey

Watercolor

  • Description: Practice watercolor techniques including crayon resist, washes, sprays, color mixing, brush work, and collage.

  • Grades: Completed 3rd–5th; and completed 5th–8th

  • Instructor: Amanda Willoughby

Music and Drama Workshops

Be a Singing Star

  • Description: Build vocal technique, stage presence, and creative expression while exploring multiple musical genres.

  • Grades: Completed 1st–6th

  • Instructor: Ashley Mills

Disney Dazzle

  • Description: Learn “princess etiquette,” sing princess songs, practice storytelling techniques, and create princess crafts.

  • Grades: Completed 1st–4th

  • Instructor: Savannah Meinert

Dynamic Dancing

  • Description: Contemporary dance for students of all abilities. Students create a performance piece.

  • Grades: Completed 1st–5th

  • Instructor: Helen Corey

Fun-de-mentals of Violin

  • Description: Beginning violin taught using the Suzuki method. Violins provided.

  • Grades: Completed 1st–4th; and completed 5th–8th

  • Instructor: Debbie Meece

Improv Workshop

  • Description: Theater games that build stage presence and creativity. Includes props and short improv skits.

  • Grades: Completed 4th–6th; and completed 5th–8th

  • Instructor: Daron Bruce

In My Taylor Swift Era

  • Description: Study Taylor Swift’s life and how she uses poetic devices in (age-appropriate) songs. Includes themed crafts, treats, and sing-alongs.

  • Grades: Completed 1st–4th; and completed 5th–8th

  • Instructors: Katie Giles, Rachel Reedy

On Stage

  • Description: High-energy musical theater enrichment with acting, singing, dance, theater games, improv, and costumes. Focus on storytelling through performance and life skills.

  • Grades: Completed 1st–4th

  • Instructor: Savannah Meinert

Humanities Exploratories

American Sign Language

  • Description: Introduction to the ASL manual alphabet and what it is like to be deaf.

  • Grades: Completed 1st–3rd; and completed 4th–6th

  • Instructor: Tonya Strother

  • Schedule note: Week 2 only

Frontline YSI

  • Description: Gather information, interview, take pictures, write stories, and publish a Young Scholars newspaper.

  • Grades: Completed 4th–8th

  • Instructor: Daron Bruce

Harry Potter Book Club

  • Description: Wizard cards, charms, potions, compare books with movies, and play ground quidditch. Includes a House Cup challenge.

  • Grades: Completed 3rd–5th; and completed 5th–8th

  • Requirement: Must have read the appropriate books before taking the class.

  • Instructors: Professor Peach (listed twice in document)

Young Authors

  • Description: Turn a story idea into a published book using computers, writing tools from favorite authors, and creativity.

  • Grades: Completed 2nd–5th

  • Instructor: Jennifer Parker

Mythology

  • Description: Learn myths from Ancient Greece to present day and how myths explain the unexplainable.

  • Grades: Completed 4th–6th; or completed 5th–8th

  • Instructor: Stephanie Shepherd

Solve the Mystery

  • Description: Play the role-playing game “How to Host a Mystery,” become a character, and learn about famous mystery solvers.

  • Grades: Completed 4th–6th; and completed 6th–8th

  • Instructor: Emily Newton

Star Wars

  • Description: Design a Jedi costume and lightsaber, plan a battle station, visit different galaxies, discuss character archetypes, and explore science behind the films.

  • Grades: Completed 4th–8th

  • Instructors: Stephanie Shepherd, Will Osteen

Super Spies

  • Description: Learn spy skills such as reading/writing code, traversing a “laser” field, and hiding secret information.

  • Grades: Completed 1st–4th; and completed 3rd–5th

  • Instructor: Sarah Deweese

STEM Investigations

Amazing Animals

  • Description: Build scientific skills through observation, interaction with live animals, and crafts.

  • Grades: Completed 1st–4th; and completed 4th–6th

  • Fee: $5 (extra for special guests)

  • Notes: Allergy alert; no repeats.

  • Instructors: Kaye Johnson, Terri Hood

Dinosaur Investigations

  • Description: Hands-on activities, videos, games, examination of real dinosaur bones and eggshells, and simulated fossil digging.

  • Grades: Completed 1st–4th; and completed 4th–6th

  • Instructor: Dr. Mel Fuller

Intro to Programming

  • Description: Learn programming basics and how to write software. No experience needed, but be ready for a challenge.

  • Grades: Completed 5th–8th

  • Schedule note: Takes two periods.

  • Instructor: Christopher Cotton

Lego by the Book

  • Description: Choose a Lego set, build it using step-by-step directions, then learn to carefully disassemble and verify it is complete for the next student. Themes include sporting venues, city buildings, and vehicles. Difficulty ranges from basic to advanced.

  • Grades: Completed 4th–8th

  • Instructors: Denise Beaman, Kim Stinson

STEM-tastic Science

  • Description: Conduct experiments and complete problem-solving activities to prepare for STEM learning.

  • Grades: Completed 1st–4th

  • Note: No repeats.

  • Instructor: Greg Duel

Superhero Insects!

  • Description: Learn about beneficial “superbugs” for gardens. Includes ant and worm farms and making a mini greenhouse. Learn pollinator-friendly plants for your yard.

  • Grades: Completed 1st–4th; and completed 4th–6th

  • Fee: $5

  • Instructors: Ryan Palmer, Simone Salghetti

STEAM Classes

(STEAM combines science, technology, engineering, or math with art.)

Colorful Creations

  • Description: Create art projects such as faux stained glass, multi-colored wax art, 3D geometric shapes, and colorful structures.

  • Grades: Completed 1st–4th; and completed 4th–6th

  • Instructor: Krystal Etheridge

Harry Potter STEAM

  • Description: STEAM challenges with a magical theme. May include discussion of story elements, but reading the books is not required. Challenges focus on robotics, engineering, art, and math.

  • Grades: Completed 2nd–4th; and completed 4th–6th

  • Instructors: Dea Peach, Athena Peach

Let Go My Lego!

  • Description: Build challenging Lego projects using imagination and creativity. Includes team-building and independent activities.

  • Grades: Completed 1st–4th

  • Instructor: Tyler Collins

Nature Crafts

  • Description: Use natural items (leaf, stick, blade of grass, etc.) to create wearable crafts (like bracelets) or room decorations.

  • Grades: Completed 2nd–4th; and completed 4th–6th

  • Fee: $5

  • Instructor: Mary Morreale

Photography

  • Description: Learn digital camera basics, composition, and lighting. Use a computer to enhance photos. Students may bring a digital camera, but it is not required.

  • Grades: Completed 4th–6th; and completed 5th–8th

  • Fee: $5

  • Instructor: Payton Bledsoe

Wood Workshop 1

  • Description: Learn basic woodworking tools and techniques. Use hammers, screwdrivers, hand saws, and sanders to make wood crafts.

  • Grades: Completed 2nd–4th; and completed 5th–8th

  • Fee: $15

  • Notes: Week 1 only; no repeats.

  • Instructor: Katie Swafford

Wood Workshop 2

  • Description: Advanced woodworking.

  • Grades: Completed 4th–8th

  • Fee: $15

  • Requirement: Must have taken Wood Workshop or have woodworking experience.

  • Note: Week 1 only.

  • Instructor: Katie Swafford

Problem Solving and Thinking Skills

Card Sharks

  • Description: Learn card games to play and teach others while strengthening math skills.

    • Beginner Card Sharks

      • Grades: Completed 1st–4th

      • Instructor: Greg Duel

    • Advanced Card Sharks

      • Grades: Completed 5th–8th

      • Instructors: Maya Beaman, Kaylie Keur

Chess (Instructor: Chris Prosser)

  • Beginning Chess

    • Description: Learn to play chess in one week.

    • Grades: Completed 1st–4th

  • Intermediate Chess

    • Description: Learn strategies and tactics.

    • Grades: Completed 3rd–6th

  • Advanced Chess

    • Description: Advanced moves, tactics, openings, and strategies.

    • Grades: Completed 4th–8th

Games! Games! Games!

  • Description: Play board games to build problem-solving skills.

  • Grades: Completed 1st–4th; and completed 4th–6th

  • Instructor: Erin Mishkin

Pokemon

  • Description: Create your own card, Pokemon, and story. Cards, Gameboys, and videos are welcome (with parent permission) Wednesday–Friday. Label personal items. Trading cards welcome with parental approval.

  • Grades: Completed 2nd–4th; and completed 5th–8th

  • Instructor: Sammy Cozart

You Can Do the Cube!

  • Description: Learn how to solve a Rubik’s Cube using step-by-step instruction and practice.

  • Grades: Completed 1st–4th

  • Instructor: Jennifer Parker

Become a Dungeon Master (D&D) – 2024 Core Rules

  • Description: Train to become a Dungeon Master using the 2024 Core Rules, with practice, peer feedback, and a framework for worldbuilding, encounter design, and narrative control.

  • Grades: Completed 5th–8th

  • Schedule note: Requires two periods.

  • Instructor: Jake Habegger

Dungeons and Dragons: Leveled Up! (Intro Campaign) – 2024 Core Rules

  • Description: Intro course for new adventurers or players transitioning to the 2024 Core Rules. Level 1 character campaign.

  • Grades: Completed 4th–8th

  • Schedule note: Requires two periods.

  • Instructor: Jake Habegger

Advanced Dungeons and Dragons Campaign – 2024 Core Rules

  • Description: For players familiar with basic D&D concepts who want deeper experience with new mechanics in the 2024 Player’s Handbook. Level 3 character campaign.

  • Schedule note: Requires two periods.

  • Instructor: Jake Habegger

Sports and Fitness

Cheer Foundations

  • Description: Learn basics of cheerleading: dance, cheers, jumps, basic tumbling, and basic stunting.

  • Grades: Completed 4th–8th

  • Instructors: Sofia Stovall, Kennedy Townsel

Advanced Cheer

  • Description: Learn advanced cheer techniques and skills. Recommended for students with previous cheer experience or who took the class last year.

  • Grades: Completed 4th–8th

  • Instructors: Sofia Stovall, Kennedy Townsel

Let’s Go Fishing!!

  • Description: Learn casting, knot tying, equipment use, and fish identification. Includes real-life fishing with a field trip Thursday and Friday. Equipment provided (students may bring their own rod/reel).

  • Grades: Completed 4th–6th; and completed 5th–8th

  • Instructor: Chris Strelecki

Fun in the Sun!

  • Description: Play outdoor games such as bocce ball, croquet, ladder golf, and other backyard games.

  • Grades: Completed 1st–4th

  • Instructors: Aaron Beaman, Ryan Yates

Gymnastics

  • Grades: Completed 1st–4th

  • What to wear: Tennis shoes

  • Beginning level

    • Description: Tumbling, trampoline, swing bar, balance beam, vault, and springboard introduced. All skill levels welcome.

    • Instructors: Erica Moore, AJ Wright

  • Intermediate level

    • Description: For students with prior instruction. Must be able to do cartwheels and handstands.

    • Instructors: Erica Moore, AJ Wright

Indoor Soccer

  • Description: Learn skills, positions, and how to play defense and offense in modified indoor games. Covers footskills, possession, and defensive tactics. Ends with an in-class tournament.

  • Grades: Completed 1st–3rd; and completed 4th–6th

  • What to wear: Tennis shoes daily

  • Instructor: Will Osteen

Pickleball

  • Description: Learn beginning skills, rules, and scoring. Equipment provided.

  • Instructors and grade bands: Tiffany White (3rd–5th) and Lisa Casey (5th–8th)

Sports Fanatics

  • Description: Learn basics of sports and recreational activities (examples listed include disc golf, corn hole, ladderball, washers, croquet, bocce ball) plus indoor activities (examples listed include PSAGI, paper football, quarter basketball, and tensi).

  • Grades: Completed 2nd–4th; and completed 4th–6th

  • Instructor: Bill Kuhn