Weekend Enrichments
Art and STEM classes on Sundays

Enliven your weekend with a fun and challenging class!

Explorations offers a selection of Arts and STEM weekend activities for learners aged 7 and up. Whether your child is more creative, has an artistic eye, or wants to experiment with computers and tech, we have a class for you.

Registration is now available for our Fall classes, which start in mid-September and run until the beginning of December. 

Learn more about the Learning Lab
Register here
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Sunday Activities at the Learning Lab

Arts & Creation

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of drawing and the art of comic creation.

Through hands-on exercises, students will learn essential drawing techniques, character design, storytelling, and panel composition.

Participants can choose the area that they want to focus on most, developing their artistic talents in ways that are particularly suited to their artistic journey.

Whether you are a beginner or have some drawing experience, this course will help you bring your ideas to life on the page and develop your unique comic style

Make your dreams into reality! Design and build a personal project, with access to professional equipment and helpful support from our educators. There’s something to suit every creator’s needs, whether you are more interested in traditional arts (like sculpting, painting, animating) or creative technologies (like building robots and coding video games). Come make your favourite thing with our top-tier software, woodworking tools, 3D printers, and buckets full of crafting goodies. 

Social Activities

Come play with like-minded gamers in this free Sunday morning club! Explorations offers a massive selection of board games, including classics like Risk, Monopoly and Catan, as well as contemporary games like Root, Exploding Kittens, and Eclipse. We focus on advanced board games that develop a variety of key skills.


Why Play Board Games?

Strategic Planning and Systems-Thinking:
Participants are challenged by the complexity of our board games, which teach players to think ahead and prepare for future moves. The limitations on resources/actions teach players how to assess their possibilities analytically, managing their assets most effectively. By understanding that the desired result in a game is achieved through a series of acquisitions and expenditures, participants are learning to navigate our world of interconnected systems.

Social Skills and Legislative Literacy:
You can’t learn these skills alone. Board games give participants the opportunity to practice foundational interpersonal skills, like how to agree on regulations and wait for others to finish their turns. By learning new rule sets that must be shared with others, players are learning essential life skills in a context that is super fun.

Work together in the exciting world of Minecraft, building an epic shared base and collaborating to explore, conquer, and create! Can your team get through the Nether and defeat formidable foes like the Wither and Ender Dragon? Will your farm focus on crops or animals, or both? How many villages and biomes will you find? It’s up to you and your team to see how far you can go!

Teamwork and communication are essential to this activity, providing a safe digital space for participants to pursue goals as members of group. It is helpful for participants to have at least a basic understanding of minecraft, but the only strict prerequisite is the willingness to cooperate.

Welcome to a unique and immersive Enrichment where learners become the architects of their own epic tales. In this captivating adventure, students play a very open-ended version of Dungeons and Dragons, where they can unleash their creativity and work with others to tell an ongoing narrative together. Emphasizing social learning and language skills, this course empowers students to explore their imaginations and embrace the art of storytelling.

In this adventure-filled world, students have the freedom to become anything they can imagine – from daring knights to cunning sorcerers, and even mythical creatures from distant lands. Guided by a skilled instructor, learners embark on a journey of character creation, crafting intricate backstories and personalities that bring their avatars to life. Through engaging role-playing exercises, students develop essential language skills, expressing their characters’ thoughts, feelings, and actions with eloquence and flair.

Collaboration and teamwork are at the heart of this storytelling experience. Learners join forces with their peers, navigating through thrilling quests and challenges that require effective communication and cooperation. As they encounter diverse characters and cultures, students develop empathy and understanding of different perspectives, fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment.

Throughout the narrative, students encounter opportunities for critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. They unveil plot twists, ingenious puzzles, and daring escapades, showcasing their language skills as they shape the destiny of their characters and the world they’ve collectively created.

This course nurtures lifelong storytellers, instilling a love for narrative and empowering students with effective communication abilities. As learners immerse themselves in the power of storytelling, they discover the joy of creative expression, the rewards of collaboration, and the art of captivating their audience.

Join us on this epic journey of “Collaborative Storytelling,” where your imagination knows no bounds and the magic of language brings stories to life.

Tech

Create legendary heroes whose quests can change the universe! Perfect for campers who want to tell a story, Role Playing Games focus on world-building and character-creation. Will your game be set in a sci-world filled with tanks and helicopters, or a fantasy world of elves and orcs? Will your characters be wizards who fight with fire and ice, or warriors who take up the sword (or both)?

In this activity, you will learn to code puzzles, mazes, dialogue, weather events, cut-scenes, and turn-based combat. Use tools for creating unique characters and worlds, making it possible to build an epic game.

In the first lessons of the course, learners will gain a solid understanding of game mechanics, physics, and input systems. Through guided lessons and hands-on exercises, students will learn how to wield powerful game engines to bring their gaming visions to life.

Once they understand the tools for making their games, learners will design captivating characters and dynamic game worlds. They’ll learn the art of using game assets, coding animations, and designing levels, ensuring that their games are visually stunning and filled with exciting challenges.

The story unfolds as learners develop the narrative arc of their games. They’ll embark on extensive level development sessions, designing ingenious obstacles and challenges that players will conquer on their journey. Learners will create non-player characters (NPCs) that add depth and excitement to the game world, ensuring players are fully immersed in the gaming experience.

In the final phase, learners add the finishing touches that make a game truly polished and engaging. They’ll master atmospheric effects, imbuing their games with stunning visual enhancements. With a focus on creativity, learners will compose original background music and sound effects, setting the tone and immersing players in the game world. They’ll also fine-tune gameplay mechanics to ensure smooth and enjoyable gameplay.

As the curtain falls on the course, learners are not just game developers; they’re game creators. In the conclusion, students are taught how to produce and distribute a copy of their game, which they can share freely with friends and family. They’ll have the tools and knowledge to let their gaming masterpieces reach a wider audience.

Accordion C

Are you a curious young learner who loves to build things, work with tools and let your imagination run wild? Our Junior Engineers class is perfect for you! In this course, learners will be introduced to the mechanics of motorized vehicles, launchers and building structures. Through a series of hands-on experiments and workshops, they will become more comfortable using the tools we have at the Lab and confident in their abilities to make their projects come to life. 

In the motorized vehicles portion of the class, learners will focus on the two main questions: what makes something roll well, and how can motors propel cars? After mastering simple electrical circuits to power their cars, they will move on to the increased challenge of constructing fan boats. Later on in the course, they will discover the physics of lifts and apply their knowledge to a variety of small plane projects.

In the launchers portion of the class, learners discover different ways to launch things. Beginning with torsion-powered devices, they are taught how to construct different launching mechanisms with twisted rope. They move on to launchers that work with suspended weight, and our instructors explain the technical names and functions of each part. After working with ancient launching techniques, learners begin constructing more modern launchers that use tiny springs.

ontent

Part 1 – Introduction to 3D Modeling

In this introductory phase, learners will be introduced to the exciting world of 3D modeling. They will explore the fundamental concepts of creating three-dimensional objects, from basic shapes to intricate designs. Through interactive lessons and fun exercises, learners will use 3D modeling software to bring their imagination to life, developing a solid foundation in digital design.

Part 2 – Advanced 3D Design Techniques

As learners gain confidence in 3D modeling, they will advance to more complex design techniques. They will learn how to refine their models, add intricate details, and explore the world of textures and materials. Engaging projects will challenge learners to design objects like never before, fostering critical thinking and creativity.

Part 3 – The World of 3D Printing

In this exciting phase, learners will step into the realm of 3D printing. They will learn about the various types of 3D printers and the materials used for printing. By understanding the process of turning digital designs into tangible objects, learners will appreciate the real-world applications of 3D printing technology.

Part 4 – Bringing Designs to Life

The final stage of the course is all about bringing learners’ designs to life! Guided by experienced instructors, learners will learn the ins and outs of 3D printing, from setting up the printer to executing successful prints. They will witness their creations materialize, experiencing the joy of transforming their digital designs into physical objects.

Throughout the course, learners will collaborate, share ideas, and receive personalized guidance from instructors. They will develop essential skills such as problem-solving, attention to detail, and a deeper appreciation for the power of technology in the world of design and manufacturing. Embrace the world of endless possibilities, where learners become creators of their own extraordinary designs!

Accordion Content

Engage in exciting, student-led activities using Makey Makeys and basic coding skills to explore the endless possibilities of technology!

Through hands-on projects, students will creatively harness technology to design interactive inventions, solve problems, and collaborate with peers.

These activities offer a fun and innovative way to promote technology literacy, encouraging students to think critically and unleash their creativity while learning foundational coding and electronic skills.

This activity is for learners who have some basic knowledge of coding or electronics, and who want to advance their skills by creating fun tech projects.

Participants will explore real-life environmental challenges by using Micro:bits, connecting their projects to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

By applying their coding skills, they will develop innovative solutions to pressing global issues while participating in STEM challenges in connection with the national Let’s Talk Science program. This hands-on approach not only enhances their technical and problem-solving abilities but also fosters a deeper understanding of sustainability and global citizenship.