Spring 2025 Courses

Summer Camp course descriptions

No prior knowledge is needed. Please check which weeks courses are running.

Fundamentals of Computer Programming (Weeks 1 & 2)

This introductory course offers a fun and accessible way for students to begin their journey in computer programming. We start with Scratch, a visual, block-based programming tool that simplifies core programming concepts, making it ideal for beginners. In these first sessions, students will develop a foundational understanding of programming basics by building interactive games and animations. 

We then transition to Python, a versatile text-based language, which empowers students to create small projects and further explore programming. The course covers essential topics such as:

• Introduction to Programming
  • What is programming and why is it beneficial for young people? 
• Getting Started with Scratch (emphasizing programming fundamentals over character animations)
  • How to create and structure a new project
  • Using blocks to build simple programs
  • Implementing loops, conditions, sounds, and graphics in interactive games 
• Introduction to Python
  • Why Python? Exploring its strengths as a beginner-friendly language
  • Navigating error messages and debugging
  • Understanding variables, data types, operators, and expressions
  • Working with input and output functions
  • Applying conditional statements and loops
• Final Project
  • Students put their skills to the test with a hands-on project. 

Each topic includes tailored exercises, with additional tasks provided based on each student's pace and understanding.  

Basic Electronics: Understanding electrical circuits (Weeks 1 & 2)

This hands-on course introduces students to the fundamentals of electronics and the principles of electrical circuits. Through practical activities, students will explore key components and the functions of simple electric circuits.   

Introduction to Electronics and Electrical Circuits: 

• Importance and applications in everyday life
• Flow of electricity: voltage, current, resistance, and series vs. parallel circuits
• Basic components: LEDs, batteries, resistors, switches, transistors, and more
• Interactive mBlock and Arduino-Based Projects:
• Introduction to mBlock and Arduino o mBot-based robotics control
• Project examples:
  • LED Blinking and Dimming
  • Traffic Light Simulation
  • Switch and Photoresistor-Controlled LEDs
  • Room and Body Temperature Sensing
  • mBot activities: Obstacle Avoidance, Line following and more  
• Further exploration and resources:
  • Tips for continued learning
  • Additional resources and project ideas 

Outcome: By the end of the course, students will gain foundational knowledge of electronics and practical experience in circuit building and electronics logic-based control. 

Engineering in Action (Weeks 1 & 2)

This course will introduce students to the basic principles of engineering including designing, problem-solving and construction.  

Activities include: 

• Designing, building and testing bridges and other structures
• Understanding forces and the importance of stress testing with case examples
• Using virtual reality to visit famous examples of engineering around the world 

Join us to understand how engineers are constantly shaping the world around us!

A world that we cannot see - The secret life of microbes (Week 1 only)

This course teaches you all about microorganisms, the good, bad and evil! Learn all about their secret world through fun and interactive experiments. Some activities include: 

• Ever wondered about microorganisms in our food?
• Uncover how good microbes can be used to make food products.
• Carry out your own fermentation experiment at home to learn about the process of bread making.
• Let's put hand hygiene to the test! You will carry out an experiment using agar to see how many microbes are killed when we clean our hands.
• Discover the dangerous side of microorganisms and how they can cause disease. You will be shown magnified images of different microbes and learn all about the illnesses they can cause.
• Find out how we can fight harmful microorganisms. Discover the world of vaccines and antibiotics, but also how microorganisms can fight back. Can you help the scientist figure out which antibiotics will save the patient?
• Finally, you will get to be the doctor for a day! Learn about how infection is diagnosed and how to check vital signs when microbes make us sick! 

The Secret Life of Physics: A rollercoaster ride through Life, Energy, and Cosmic Wonders! (Week 1 only)

From our toes to the sky: Physics is everywhere! 

Calling all young scientists: 

Ever wondered why things fall when you drop them? Or how our planet stays floating in space? 

From the smallest atom to the depths of the ever-expanding universe, there is so much to explore. 

Welcome to The Secret Life of Physics, where we’re going to explore the wild science that makes our world, and the whole universe, go round! 

• Explore the secrets of matter, density, and forces! 
• Dive into electricity and electromagnetism! 
• Blast off into astronomy! 
• Study waves (not all of them are in the sea!) 
• Uncover the mystery of radiation! 

This course will open your mind to the possibilities an understanding of physics can give you. Who knows where it will take you! 

Checkmate! A Path to Chess Success (Week 1 only)

From opening moves to checkmating the opponent, this course offers a full overview of all things chess!  

Considered by many to be the ‘gentleman’s game’, chess has captured the hearts of millions of girls and boys with its strategic depth and endless possibilities. Students will soon discover why this classic game has stood the test of time.  

This course will teach students how to strategize, spot tactics and position their pieces so that they always have the advantage over the competition.  

Students will learn chess theory such as openings, chess fundamentals and endgames, they will then be able to put this theory into practice by playing the game and solving chess puzzles.  

Students will also study classic games from Grandmasters to gain top level insight.  

By the end of this course, students will not only have elevated their chess skills to the next level but will also obtain the important life skills that chess teaches such as patience, creativity and critical thinking.  

So, get ready for chess success because in this course, all roads lead to checkmate! 

Thinking caps on! From brain waves to brain teasers, a Brain-cation awaits! (Week 2 only)

Want to learn about the most complex organ of the body? Of course you do- it's a no-brainer!  

Come on this journey while we explore many key aspects of neuroscience:   

• The brain is boss. Why is the brain so important and what structures make it up?   
• No man is an island. How does the nervous system help the brain carry out its functions?  
• Communication is key. How do neurons help the brain to communicate its messages
• Our brain has superpowers. What are some of the amazing things our brain can do?
• It’s all an illusion. How does perception play a role in how we see things?  
• Time to catch some brainwaves. How can we use EEG to see and interpret brain activity?  

Extras: virtual reality, microscopy, brain jokes & puns, quizzes, brain teaser activities, riddles and neuroscience art!

Sounds Class -  Analysing Media and Making Your Own Radio Show and Podcast (Week 2 only)

Media literacy is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media. This includes; television, radio, Internet, newspapers, magazines, books, billboards, video games, music, and all other forms of media. 

Over this course you will:

• Identify programme formats, production features and target audiences of different shows  
• Start the lifelong habit of active interaction with media, as opposed to passive consumption 
• Learn basic technical terms for radio, podcast & television production  
• Use storyboards and running orders to describe how a programme is structured  
• Plan segments for a show using the broadcast clock  
• Develop a production plan, divide up team roles, prepare a running order and script for your very own show! 
• Look at interview structures, skills, and plan an online audio interview with a person you admire  
• Use online recording sites, and free-to-download software to make a short programme to be broadcast on Flirt FM 101.3, and uploaded to the station's Mixcloud to listen back later! 
• If time permits, design visual assets to promote your show/podcast. 

With the Sounds Class course, you can kick-off your amazing career in media!