All buildings, from the Empire State Building to the house next door, started as an idea in an architect’s head. Students will learn how to take an idea from their head and turn it into a building in the real world. They will be guided through the building process, from creating a floor plan to disaster-proofing the structure, so that they will be able to create the next best thing in LEGO® architecture! 

Architecture and Engineering Concepts:

 Students will learn the fundamental steps architects and engineers follow when designing and building structures such as houses, buildings, and bridges. They will practice with the techniques of creating floorplans, developing scale models, designing reinforcements for a foundation, and generally designing for safety and functionality. In addition to these technical skills, they will be asked to study the features of different building styles throughout history and implement these stylistic features in their own unique designs. 

Planning and Conceptual Design: 

Carefully planning and developing a conceptual design with their partner will be important to their success in this program. By taking the time to brainstorm and develop a design on paper before they build, the students will learn the importance of going into a project with a basic understanding of the objectives and developing a common, achievable goal. 

Environmentally Conscious Design:

 Building and designing while being environmentally conscious has become increasingly important in the world of architecture. The students will learn the benefits of using recycled and eco-friendly resources and the structural complexity of designing with the landscape. 

Send your learner on a trip with Snapology around the world to discover unique aspects of different cultures, including national flags, traditional cuisines, influential artists, and notable historical landmarks! While they explore, they will be challenged to work with a partner to solve different tasks in various “countries” that will put them ahead or behind in the race to the finish line!

Geography Knowledge: 

As your student studies and learns about various countries and cultures around the world, they will be exposed to the geography of the places to which they are “traveling”. Their knowledge of where on the globe they are exploring will be tested by playing games with their classmates and reviewed multiple times throughout the program. 

Snapology’s S.T.E.A.M. Survivor program will put your students’ design, building, and critical thinking skills to the test! They will be given daily challenges for which they must design functional solutions with their teammate! They will earn Survivor Bucks when they perform well and be able to use those survivor bucks to purchase supplies or prizes throughout the camp. The goal of this program is to encourage our students to carefully work through the engineering design process to see how often they can design with a purpose.

Engineering Design Process:

The process by which engineers create, test, and release new machines and resources to the general public is called the Engineering Design Process. This process is an iterative process that flows from asking > researching > imagining > planning > creating > testing > improving over and over until the product is ready for use. Your student will be taught about this process and helped to master the process of design with their partner in each of our challenges!

In Snapology’s Pokémania program, students will explore the Pokémon world and practice their Pokémon training skills! They will create their own training gyms, unique battles, and even their very own generation of Pokémon. Your student will also explore some real-world science as they examine the habitats, characteristics, and needs of different Pokémon. They will do more than catch ‘em all, they will build and examine them all very closely and have a blast doing so! 

Building Strong Structures: 

Building a sturdy, reliable structure is a fundamental aspect of engineering. In this program, students will explore different methods for creating a model that is both strong and functional. As they face building challenges when testing their designs, they will be positively encouraged to think critically and use teamwork to solve engineering problems.

Edgar Degas, a famous artist, once said, “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” As your child learns about different types of art and the periods in which they were created, students will also be interpreting what they see and creating their own works of art out of LEGO bricks. In Snapology’s Brick Art and Design Lab class, children will draw inspiration and guidance from great works of art like Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa,” Van Gogh’s “Starry Night,” Wright’s “Falling Water,” and so many more! By the end of the experience, your child will be able to not only share information about famous artists, art forms, and art movements, but create their own unique works of art that reach beyond the past and into the future. 

Art History:

In this program, students will be inspired by the important works of some of the most influential artists throughout history. Students will learn about classic artists, like Donatello and Leonardo da Vinci, explore abstraction through the works of Picasso and Mondrian, examine contemporary styles through artists like Andy Warhol, and even study architectural design styles through great architects like Frank Lloyd Wright. With each new activity, your student will learn about a new artist and create their own artwork inspired by the greats! 

Travel to the Nether with Snapology—but watch out for those Creepers! Come join us as we bring Minecraft™ to life using LEGO® bricks. Create your own world, including houses, potions, and your very own LEGO® version of the Nether. 

Computer Skills:

LEGO® Minecraft™ Advanced gives the students access to the computer version of the popular game. The students will be required to navigate their way through menus to access the game. The students will also learn how the game works if they are not the most experienced gamer. The students will use their skills to create and build in the game. 

In this Star Wars®-inspired program, your youngling will explore the galaxy with their master building skills and our intergalactically-focused curriculum. Motivated to become Jedi like the heroes in the movies, students will learn to concentrate on mastering the Force, appreciating the use of teamwork to build battle drones and AT-Walkers, and if they’re skills are up to par, make their very own lightsaber and use it in battle! May the force be with your young Padawan as they rise through the Jedi ranks! 

Building a Stable Structure:

Building a sturdy, reliable structure is a fundamental aspect of engineering. In this program, students will explore different methods for creating a brick model that is both strong and functional. As they are given new building projects to complete, they will be positively encouraged to think critically and use teamwork to solve engineering and design problems. 

Creativity:

Part of being a Master Builder is imagining a desired structure or scene and having the planning and engineering skills to recreate it. Students will be given structural challenges and using minimal outside support will bring their visions to life. Master Builder’s may have ideas, but do they have the patience, flexibility, and planning to enact what’s within their imagination? The only way to improve is to practice! 

We’re glad you’re here, because Sensei Wu needs your child to save Ninjago City from evil! In this program, your student will work on things like designing a new dojo and training supplies with which to perfect their ninja abilities, experience the training to help them become more focused and controlled ninjas, and even discover and create their very own element dragon companion to help them save the day! This program will immerse your learner in the world of Ninjago and challenge them to be the best they can be so they can one day be a Master Ninja. 

Building Strong Structures and Problem Solving:

Building a sturdy, reliable structure is a fundamental aspect of engineering. In this program, students will explore different methods for creating a model that is both strong and functional. As they face building challenges when testing their designs, they will be positively encouraged to think critically and use teamwork to solve engineering problems. Building ninja items like Spinjitzu spinners, battle stadiums, dojos, vehicles, and more will allow them to practice these important building techniques.

To the Batcave, LEGO® fans! Design your own superhero, create your own adventure, and build epic battle scenes. Have a blast as you create your own fantasy world of superheroes and supervillains, straight out of the pages of DC and Marvel comic books. You might even unleash some of your own superpowers! 

Character and Story Development:

Comic book creators and movie directors and producers bring the action-packed world of superheroes alive for audiences of all ages. In Snapology’s Superheroes program, students get to be the creators! Through fun, challenging builds and activities, students bring their favorite superheroes to life, drawing on the same engaging storytelling techniques used by professional comic book artists and moviemakers. 

Building with LEGO® bricks is often about one thing; making incredible constructions for the minifigures that get to live and use them. This Snapology program will provide a structure for students to make some truly wild creations; from engineering challenges like making the tallest towers or fastest car, to ones that require more imagination and creativity, like building city or vacation parks. 

Building a Stable Structure:

Building a sturdy, reliable structure is a fundamental aspect of engineering. In this program, students will explore different methods for creating a brick model that is both strong and functional. As they are given new building projects to complete, they will be positively encouraged to think critically and use teamwork to solve engineering and design problems. 

Creativity:

Part of being a Master Builder is imagining a desired structure or scene and having the planning and engineering skills to recreate it. Each day at camp students will be given structural challenges and using minimal outside support will bring their visions to life. Master Builder’s may have ideas but do they have the patience, flexibility, and planning to enact what’s within their imagination? The only way to improve is to practice! 

In Snapology's Science of Superpowers program, students explore the world of their favorite superheroes. Students will learn about forces, energy, and problem solving as they build models inspired by Superman, Batman, and all their favorite heroes.

Physics, Forces, and Energy:

Students will engage in several topics in physics. Children will learn about collisions, flight forces, and air pressure as they build superheroes, their vehicles, and super accessories. Students will also learn how the science of the ‘super’ world compares to typical human forces and environments.

How is a Tyrannosaurs Rex different from a Triceratops? Is it just in their physical characteristics or is it also what they ate and when they lived? In Discovering Dinosaurs, your little paleontologists will explore what dinosaurs ate and when they lived while constructing their very own dinosaur model out of DUPLO blocks. Through stories, building, and games, your little learners will be busy exploring the prehistoric world while gaining critical social and developmental skills without even realizing it! 

Paleontology: 

Through this program, students will be introduced to the science of paleontology, the study of life prior to the Holocene Epoch (about 12,000 years ago). Students will learn how scientists study dinosaurs, when dinosaurs lived, and how Earth has changed over time. 

Biology, Ecology, Anatomy:

While dinosaurs have since gone extinct, scientists who study dinosaurs must understand what dinosaurs ate, how they interacted with one another, and their structural characteristics. Students will learn the differences between carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores, which dinosaurs fall into those categories, and how the physical structures of the dinosaur are beneficial to their hunting style. 

Classroom Skills:

 At this young of an age, many students have not had a lot of experience in a classroom with a teacher. The students are encouraged to follow rules and use good listening skills when the teacher is talking. Ideas such as raising their hand to answer a question, being respectful to their friends and teachers, and being a cooperative and encouraging classmate are all celebrated and enriched through this program. 

The animals living in our backyards or in our towns are very different from the animals in other parts of the world. While some animals have adapted to live in freezing temperatures, others have adapted to live in extremely hot and dry environments. In Snapology’s Animal Explorers class, students will learn where animals live and why an animal’s habitat is important for survival. Through stories, games, and building animals with DUPLO blocks, your little learner will be busy exploring biomes of the world while gaining critical social and developmental skills without even realizing it! 

Ecology:

In this program, students will explore the importance of having a habitat the provides food, water, and shelter. They will examine the similarities and differences between their own homes and those of various animals from around the world. This program is sure to peak your learner’s interest in geography as well, as they explore each unique biome and the exciting animal’s that call these places around the world home. 

Biology:

Students will be introduced to animal adaptations that allow for survival in varying environmental conditions. They will explore how a camel’s hump stores fat that allows it to go a few days without food or water, how seahorses have special tails to prevent being pulled by strong ocean currents, and so much more! 

In Snapology’s Amusement Park Engineering class, students will become engineers of their own amusement park rides and will learn the core physics and engineering concepts used to make a ride thrilling!

Physics and Engineering Concepts:

In this class, students will learn basic physics by examining how the concepts of centripetal and centrifugal force, potential and kinetic energy, gravitational force, and angular momentum apply to the engineering of amusement park rides. Students will get to see these concepts come to life in their own models, enhancing their learning and making difficult concepts much easier to understand.

Amusement Park History:

In addition to exploring the basic mechanisms and forces that make amusement park rides so fun, students will also be taught the surprising history of how rides like the Ferris Wheel, Swing Ride, and Bumper Cars came to be.

Gear Systems, Motors, Wheels, and Axles:

Students will also explore basic mechanical engineering by building models of their favorite rides using tools like gears, motors, and wheels and axles in order to create movement. Throughout the class they will try various configurations of these parts and learn how their interactions yield different results.

In Snapology’s Animation Studio program, students get to do more than just enjoy those movies, they get to create them! In this technical program, children will work in teams to learn the fundamentals of stop motion animation and develop their own animated movie starring some of their favorite LEGO® mini-figures! Students will go through the entire movie making process with their filming partner, from plot development and set design to detailed visual and audio editing.

Technology Skills:

Snapology’s Animation Studio program provides a structured, supportive environment for students to utilize unique stop animation software through which they can practice general technology skills. They will learn how to create, delete, modify, edit, design, add sound to, and upload their creations and practice with precision when doing so. In doing this, they will practice maneuvering through menu options and finding appropriate destinations for their creative needs.

Fundamentals of Storytelling:

There are five fundamental elements to storytelling - characters, setting, plot, conflict, and resolution – and your students will learn and master them all when creating their own story! Our program focuses on the importance of movie planning, basic storyboarding, and execution of these plans, which will encourage better storytelling in and out of the classroom!

Robotics inspired by Star Wars® and space travel – how cool! Come on an adventure building and programming functional robots using LEGO® bricks in this super-fun program. Learn about space, space travel and, of course, Star Wars®! Build different robots each day! Learning is enhanced through the use of laptops in this class!

Robotics:

In Space Wars Robotics, students will be shown to a variety of ways that new robotic technology has greatly improved the lives of humans. They will see how the engineering design process have assisted robotics engineers to design androids that have the ability to travel on all terrain and operate without human interaction by using sensors. Students will transfer these ideas into their own builds as they discover the importance of sensors, motors, and robotics in everyday life.

Engineering Concepts:

Students will learn how to utilize simple machines such as gears and pulleys. They will then learn how to combine these parts into more complex machines that can accomplish increasingly difficult tasks. The engineering design process will be utilized throughout the class to modify and improve the students creations.

Astronomy:

Students will learn about the vast universe surrounding them. Students will be challenged with replicating a solar system using the LEGO® WeDoTM Kit. During their build, they will learn how gravity affects orbits of planets as well as their moons. Students will also understand why moons were such an important military strategy for the rebels in the Star Wars® movies.

Programming Skills:

Each week, children will be given a program to operate their robotic build. Students are then encouraged to use critical thinking and programming skills to enhance their robot’s program. Whether making their build respond to motion and tilt sensors, adding loops, or creating fun sounds, children will learn valuable programming skills in an easy to use, drag and drop programming format.

Your child will expand their engineering skills by designing and experimenting with robotic attachments and refine their computer programming abilities by creating program codes that make their bots run races, play hockey, and so much more. Students will work in groups and use the LEGO® SPIKETM Prime technology to complete these exciting challenges.

Building Robots and Programs:

Building a functional robot is a requirement in this program, but surprisingly not too hard to do. What is more challenging is to refine a robot's physical design and program code so that it can complete a very specific task with accuracy and precision. Students will be educated on how to use the LEGO® SPIKETM Prime software to program their robot, but they must effectively use the engineering design process to make successful iterations of their robot and program code that can compete and win!

In Snapology's Creature Creator Robotics class, your animal lover will create their own animal inspired robotic models. Students will learn about gear ratio, sensors, simple machines, and programming as they build insects, dolphins, gorillas, and much more. Your child is sure to have a wild time as they build, learn, and play.

Simple Machines:

Students will learn about several simple machines throughout the class. Whether learning about pulleys while creating spiders, or wheels and axles as they create their very own dolphins, students will see simple machines in action. They will also begin to think critically about their surroundings and realize all the simple machines they use every day.

Axles, Gears, and Motors:

Children will learn about the importance of axles, gears, and motors in mechanical movement. They will actively experiment with these components to create their robots, while facilitating a deeper understanding of mechanics.

Programming Skills:

Each week, children will be given a program to operate their robotic build. Students are then encouraged to use critical thinking and programming skills to enhance their robot’s program. Whether making their build respond to motion and tilt sensors, adding loops, or creating fun sounds, children will learn valuable programming skills in an easy to use, drag and drop programming format.

Do you think your child can build the strongest and most agile robot? Can their robot win a head-to-head combat mission? Your child will discover basic strategies for building sturdy structures and then apply that knowledge to build a robot for friendly competition. They should be prepared to have tons of fun! 

Building Strong Structures:

Building a solid structure is one of the most basic, but important, aspects of engineering. The students in Snapology’s Combat Robots class will learn concepts such as statics, which will help them develop a robot that can withstand a hit and win their match. 

Gears and Motors:

Students will learn how to best utilize various gears and motors to create the best robot possible for a mission. They will learn about the concept of gear ratio to find the perfect balance of speed and power for their robot. Students will also learn how these important concepts apply to everyday life 

Do you think your child can build the strongest and most agile robot? Can their robot win a head-to-head combat mission? Your child will discover basic strategies for building sturdy structures and then apply that knowledge to build a robot for friendly competition.

Problem-Solving

Teams will be challenged with completing various challenges, from winning a battle to winning a game of robot football. As they complete these challenges, they will identify obstacles while building and overcome them with the engineering design process.

Students will use these challenges to prepare for the final battle.

Building Strong Structures:

Building a solid structure is one of the most basic, but important, aspects of engineering. The students in Snapology’s Combat Robots class will learn concepts such as statics, which will help them develop a robot that can withstand a hit and win their match.

Gears and Motors:

Students will learn how to best utilize various gears and motors to create the best robot possible for a mission. They will learn about the concept of gear ratio to find the perfect balance of speed and power for their robot. Students will also learn how these important concepts apply to everyday life.

In this course, children will begin their exploration into the world of robotics by building simple animal-inspired machines that are controlled by unique, icon-based program codes.

We will teach your little learner some fundamental engineering and programming concepts as they build goofy animals and then design perfect habitats to protect their new robotic friends. Maybe you can't have an alligator as a pet at home, but you can definitely build one in our classroom at Snapology!

Habitats and Basic Needs

Students will learn about different animal habitats and explore basic needs for their robot animals, including those that are robotic! They will build creatively to design a perfect home for their new robotic pets!

Axles, Wheels, Gears, and Motors

Students will learn about the importance of using axles, wheels, gears, and motors to create mechanical movement. In each lesson, we will help your student learn to label these items and point out how they are working in their robot. If time permits, they are even encouraged to tinker with these pieces to modify how each robot works.

Programming Skills

In every lesson, students will be given a simple icon-based program code that will operate their robotic build. Students are then guided to enhance their robot's program with unique program elements. Whether making their build respond to motion or adding fun sounds, children will learn valuable programming skills in a format that is easy to use and understand.

In this program, your student will enter the limitless world of Minecraft and learn how to navigate using coordinates and the sun, explore architectural design, and even practice with how to use circuits to create machines that respond to your coding! Collaboration is key, as your student will communicate and plan with his/her teammates in all of their designs. This program will develop their creative and cooperative problem-solving skills through active planning, building, troubleshooting, and refining; you won't believe how much they will learn in this virtual world!

Minecraft Skills

In this program, students will be asked to practice and demonstrate basic Minecraft gaming skills as they complete various tasks. They will quickly become comfortable with basic commands and functions used in the game and be given opportunities to expand on their skills in each activity.

Real-world Skills

In addition to developing their gaming skills, your students will be taught skills that can be applied outside of the gaming platform. Students will explore concepts involving navigation, maps, architecture, physics, electrical circuits, coding, and more. The academic skills targeted in this program have been selected specifically for their ability to be applied outside of the virtual world.