Pedestrians along the UW’s Rainier Vista may have noticed an unusual warning last Friday. “Danger Rocket Launching Area,” the sign read. Below that someone had drawn a cartoon stick figure receiving a “doink” to the head from a descending bottle rocket.
The sign was part of a demonstration by students in grades five through 10 enrolled in summer sessions for advanced learners, organized by the . This year’s 507 participants came from around Puget Sound.
Apart from the rocket launch, which was part of the robotics class, seventh-through-ninth graders in the program could choose four-week sessions on math, chemistry, filmmaking, literature and .
The program, offered to fifth and sixth graders and lasting three weeks, taps into astronomy, math puzzles, urban design, physics of roller coasters and .
The summer classes are designed to be hands-on learning experiences that challenge students to solve problems and think critically and creatively.
“Most importantly, the classes provide opportunities for students to meet other kids with similar interests,” said , director of the Robinson Center. “When asked by a parent about what students took away from their filming of a documentary, one student said, ‘Friendships!’ and hugged her teammates.”
Check out this year’s demonstrations of rockets, model roller coasters, future cities and more in the slideshow below.
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