Electives

A-Mazing Marbles

Marble mazes may appear simplistic, but look again! Slope, angles, and other mathematical concepts are what keep things rolling. Collaborate with a team to design, test, and tweak your very own marble runs. With a little patience and a lot of planning, you’ll be amazed at what you can create.

Angry Birds

Next Level: Ready . . . Aim . . . FIRE! We don’t need devices to play with THESE Angry Birds. In this course, we will build different kinds of catapults, assemble different kinds of “birds” for ammunition, and construct various levels to knock down. Don’t let an evil piggy steal your spot. Slingshot your way into fun in Angry Birds: The Next Level!

Brainteasers

Stretch your brain and prepare to attack problems in unconventional ways! This course is full of puzzles, riddles, and challenging problems. It requires someone who wants to be challenged to think “outside the box!” Open your mind to logic and strategy as you participate in eye-opening activities, such as life-size Sudoku, Wordles, and human knots!

Challenge Accepted

When faced with a dilemma that has no obvious solution, there’s only one thing to do — use science to solve it! Can you work with your team to create a waterslide that can safely transport objects of varying weights? Can you adjust the specifications of your rollercoaster to keep things moving? Together with your team, compete in a variety of STEM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Math) tasks designed to stretch your thinking as you devise creative solutions to accomplish the task at hand. The challenge awaits: are you up for it?

Mighty Microbits

Come crack the code of computer programming! We’ll start with the basics as we develop problem-solving skills and work through fun challenges. Before long, we’ll be making games and creative projects using block-based programming. We'll code the perfect pet!

Creating with Minecraft

Make Minecraft your canvas as you bring your imagination to life! In this interactive course, students will explore the limitless possibilities of Minecraft as a platform for creative problem-solving, design, and teamwork. Students will take on challenges that require critical thinking, innovative design, and effective collaboration. We look forward to seeing what you’ll do in your Minecraft journey!

CSI DECATS

Calling all would-be sleuths and Sherlock Holmes wannabes! A crime has been committed at DECATS, and it is up to you and your forensics team to identify the culprit. Learn how to investigate a crime scene, from securing the scene and collecting evidence to fingerprint analysis. Grab your magnifying glass and critical thinking cap and let’s solve the mystery!

Culinary Creators

Step into the kitchen as a creative scientist, mathematician, and storyteller! In this hands-on class, students will explore how mistakes can spark new ideas, how recipes can be adapted to reflect personal style, and how food connects us to culture, memory, and identity. Experiment like culinary innovators, testing recipes, observing results, and revising to improve flavor, texture, and presentation.

Solve real-world problems, adapting dishes to meet constraints such as time, budget, or dietary needs.
Collaborate to plan, prepare, and present meals, from class snacks to family dinners or community events.
Apply math and measurement skills, practicing addition, subtraction, accurate measuring, and timing to achieve perfect results.

Dream House

Let your creativity take the lead as you design your very own dream house. Whether you find yourself dreaming of a tree house deep in the woods or a mansion themed after your favorite television show, you’ll price out, design, and build a domain of your dreams. There’s no place like home in DECATS Dream House!

Give my regards to Broadway

Lights, camera, action! Join in the excitement and magic of being part of a Broadway show. Share your love of theater as you act, sing, and dance to make a musical come to life. Everyone performs and everyone is cast in a part. Scholars learn the fundamentals of acting, create a costume, develop their character, memorize lines and sing and dance in a fast paced, hands-on production. Get ready to shine as the curtain goes up and the show goes on.

Hogwarts

Hop on the Hogwarts Express and join us for a fun week at Camp Harry Potter! You'll get your Hogwarts house, your wand, and your patronus. You'll learn what your house, wand, and patronus say about your personality and you'll attend classes (Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Potions, Ancient Runes, Divination).

K POP Hunters

Ready to build, code and battle monsters K Pop style? Advanced Systems & Tech is an action-packed Gifted & Talented summer course where creativity meets serious brain power. Students team up to design epic LEGO builds, program smart micro:bits with real logic and conditions, and use music, movement, and strategy to power their inventions. Every challenge has multiple solutions, every design gets tested and improved, and every team prepares for a final, high-energy mission showcase.

Lego Prime Robotics

Robots, assemble! Get ready to program your very own robot using LEGO kits! Can you program your robot to kick a ball? Can your robot win a race or move in response to sound energy? Use your creative and critical thinking skills as you enter the world of robotics engineering!

Map your World, Play Your Story: Fantasy & Fellowship

Unleash your imagination and discover the incredible power of collaborative storytelling! This three-week adventure is an intensive workshop rooted in the magic of fantasy and the structure of tabletop role-playing games (like Dungeons & Dragons). Perfect for gifted students eager to blend creativity, expression, writing skills, map design, and teamwork, this class requires zero D&D experience—only a strong sense of curiosity and an open mind. We will transform empty pages into epic realms!

Mystery Science Engineering

What if you could think like an engineer and solve real-world mysteries along the way? In Mystery Science Engineering, students become problem-solvers, designers, and critical thinkers as they tackle engaging engineering challenges inspired by real scientific phenomena. From building windproof houses and earthquake-safe towns to designing bird feeders, bridges, magnetic locks, and chain reaction machines, students learn how engineers use science, creativity, and logic to improve the world.

POSITIVELY Medieval

Step into the thousand years from the fall of Rome to the Viking invasions to the invention of the printing press. In this immersive class, you will not only hear riveting legends, but will also build your own castle, assume the role of knight, lord, or serf, and craft medieval-style weapons. This project-based and story-centered class is designed to spark the imagination, enhance your love of story, and give you a better hands-on understanding of the Medieval Period.

Olympics

The Olympics have arrived in Grapevine, Colleyville! After we divide into countries, create flags and logos, and participate in Opening Ceremonies, it’s time for the games to begin. We’ll participate in a variety of sports and challenges modeled after those seen in the Olympics, such as scooter-kayaking and build-your-own badminton. Go for the gold in DECATS Olympics!

Once Upon a S.T.E.M.

Can you build a parachute for Jack to escape the Giant? Or design a zip line for Little Red Riding Hood to bypass the wolf on the way to Grandma’s house? Use everyday objects to challenge yourself to complete the Science Technology Engineering Math tasks and rescue your favorite fairy tale characters!

Rubik's Cube Logic

Get ready to think, twist, and design! In this hands-on course, students will explore the mathematics and logic behind the Rubik’s Cube while developing strategies to solve it with confidence. Beginning with foundational techniques and progressing to advanced “tricks,” students will learn how algorithms, patterns, and sequences work together to bring order to complexity.Beyond solving the cube, students will apply their skills creatively by designing and constructing Rubik’s Cube mosaics. Students will plan pixel-style images, calculate color placement, and collaborate to build large-scale visual designs using multiple cubes.

World Cup

The World Cup is headed for DECATS this summer! This global event has played an important role in the history of sports. What unique features have made each World Cup different from the last? Take a look at this competition from both a sports and historical perspective. Once we hit the field, it will be time to practice basic soccer skills, such as passing, dribbling, and shooting, and get to know the rules of the game. We’ll use goal-setting and progress-tracking to assist us as we grow our soccer skills. In the end, we will incorporate our talents and skills to compete in the 2025 DECATS World Cup.

Young Entrepreneurs

Young Entrepreneurs is an interactive, project-based course that introduces students to the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, innovation, and business strategy. Students identify real-world consumer problems, research target markets, analyze competition, and design creative solutions. Through hands-on prototyping and iterative feedback, students develop a viable product or service and communicate their ideas through a professional Shark Tank–style pitch. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and persuasive communication as students experience the full entrepreneurial process from idea to investment.

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