Hun Summer Adventures

In this interdisciplinary course, students will discuss the physics and biology of flying, web-slinging, and other superpowers. Many superheroes (Superman, Batman, Spiderman, Ant-Man, Black Panther, etc.) were based originally on the idea of humans gaining the powers of animals, which requires not only imagination but close observation of the natural world. Students will research how their favorite heroes were created, analyze costume and character design, and design their own hero in an original comic book based on these principles (Note: No artistic talent needed. We will explore platforms for creating the visuals, so all you need is an active imagination).

Students will discover how some of the world’s greatest films were created long before the age of CGI. Examples include exploring the scale models that became the epic spaceships of Star Wars, the creative use of sound design and stunt work in Indiana Jones, and the magic of hand-drawn animation by the artists of Walt Disney and Studio Ghibli. Students will focus on the elements of shifting perspective, innovation, and scientific problem-solving that created such memorable moments in their favorite films. They will then seek to create their own effects in their backyards or in their living rooms to see what epic worlds they can create from their imaginations.

Students will explore the design elements behind their favorite games, from board games and video games to the history of their favorite sports. Examples include how the game of Monopoly was created based on Atlantic City as a criticism of capitalism, or how ancient games like Chess and Go are primary tools in testing and developing artificial intelligence, as well as learning the process behind video game design.

Students will explore different styles of architecture, from igloos to skyscrapers, and from Japanese temples to Frank Lloyd Wright. They will study this both scientifically and artistically, working to create their own structures and budgeting for larger buildings they design. They will also be given challenges to work with hypothetical clients within a fictional budget, as well as dreaming big to create interesting and unusual features while still making sure the building can withstand high winds and earthquakes.

Students will explore the many worlds of engineering, from bridges to spaceships, from cars to computers. They will study historical engineering feats like the pyramids, the first airplane, the first skyscrapers, and the Palm Island of Dubai. They will also be given challenges to work with limited materials and budgets, as well as dreaming big to create structures that seem to defy the law of gravity.

For the final week of Hun Adventures, students will get to choose their own course of study. This will be chosen by students who have participated in previous weeks and should be within the discipline of the specific course. They will incorporate skills they have learned in previous weeks and present what they have learned on the final day of class. Students who did not participate in previous weeks are still welcome to attend this week.

In this course, students will study how the world of finance works, including savings and checking accounts, auto loans, mortgages, credit cards, the influence of advertising, and the stock market. Examples include applying for loans, evaluating different credit card offers, and negotiating mergers in role-playing scenarios, as well as participating in simulations of buying and selling stocks. For their culminating project, students will role-play scenarios where a scam artist tries to trick them into bad financial decisions, which they will attempt to avoid.

In this course, students will study and practice the elements of running a small business, from building a business plan to budgeting to marketing strategies. They will dig into the fundamentals of how running a business works, and then create their own small businesses based on what they love to make or collect. Students could create toy shops, fashion lines, a restaurant, etc., only limited by their imaginations. The final project will be a Shark-Tank-style pitch to launch and grow their own business. 

In this course, students will be given a chance to apply for a theoretical million-dollar grant to start a business based on one of their interests. They will explore how to turn a passion into a marketable project, and develop and present an elevator pitch, a business plan, and a budget to discover how far a million dollars would take them and how they can turn their vision into a reality. 

For the final week of Hun Adventures, students will get to choose their own course of study. This will be chosen by students who have participated in previous weeks and should be within the discipline of the specific course. They will incorporate skills they have learned in previous weeks and present what they have learned on the final day of the week. Students who did not participate in previous weeks are still welcome to attend this week.

Students will explore the mystery of the Mayans. How did they create such intricate architecture and such an accurate calendar? What types of currency did they use? What technological innovations did they accomplish, and how were they so far ahead of their time? Why did they seem to disappear from the earth? Where are their descendants now? These questions and more will guide the exploration of this class. 

Students will study the Italian Renaissance, focusing both on politics and art from this fascinating time. We will study artists like Boticelli and Michaelangelo, the innovative architects who designed the great cathedrals, the theatrical and musical traditions of the Commedia dell’arte and the troubadours, and the banking family who made it all possible, the Medici. 

Students will study the vibrant culture of the 1920s, including the rise of jazz music, the fashion and dance of the flapper generation, the politics and realities of Prohibition, and the rise of the mafia. Examples include studying figures such as F. Scott Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington, the Art Deco architectural style, and early silent films by Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin.

Students will study the culture, daily life, inventions, and contributions of the ancient Roman Empire. How did they build roads that are still in use today? How did they create such invincible armies? How did they invent running water, newspapers, and surgical tools? Students will study how the Roman Empire began and spread, the artifacts they left behind, and how their influence is still felt in contemporary life.

Students will study the culture and traditions of the Native American tribes, including daily routines, ceremonial rituals, architecture, food production, and textile work. They will make crafts, study art and culture, and talk about what it means to be a Native American today. Possible field trips would include the Powhatan Renape Nation or other local tribes.

For the final week of Hun Adventures, students will get to choose their own course of study. This will be chosen by students who have participated in previous weeks and should be within the discipline of the specific course. They will incorporate skills they have learned in previous weeks and present what they have learned on the final day of the week. Students who did not participate in previous weeks are still welcome to attend this week.

Two people walk into the middle of the room, and suddenly - comedy gold! Improvisation is a fun, confidence-building skill that also cultivates creativity and a sense of humor. Students literally create scenes in the moment, learning through a variety of games how to trust their instincts and collaborate with others. Fans of Whose Line Is It Anyway? will know how impressive the great comedy improv actors can be, but the great secret is that it only takes a little imagination to release the creative spark in anyone. If you like playing games and using your imagination, this class is definitely for you. 

The theater opens up a whole new world of imagination and creativity. Students in this course will focus on scene study and acting techniques to create original performances, build confidence, and wow the audience. Designed for students of any experience level, this class will focus on character development, script analysis, collaboration, focus, and concentration. The week will culminate with a performance in front of an invited audience.

Lights! Camera! Action! Students in this class will study the world of filmmaking both in front of and behind the camera. They will act in scenes and direct their classmates, as well as learning editing techniques to create cool effects. They will learn about screenwriting, location scouting, and casting. They will learn about a variety of genres, from silent films to action films to animations.

For the final week of Hun Adventures, students will get to choose their own course of study. This will be chosen by students who have participated in previous weeks, and should be within the discipline of the specific course. They will incorporate skills they have learned in previous weeks and present what they have learned on the final day of the week. Students who did not participate in previous weeks are still welcome to attend this week. 

Escape Rooms have become enormously popular in recent years, as participants test their logical, creative, and problem-solving skills to complete challenges in a given period of time. In this course, students will practice these skills, testing their quick-thinking abilities against other students and against the teacher, as well as exploring the structure behind Escape Rooms, culminating in a final project where students design their own. The class will be equally engaging for students who have never done an Escape Room before and those who are already advanced in these skills.

Calling all sleuths: if you enjoy solving mysteries, this class is for you! Students in this interactive course will be given a cover identity and an undercover mission. They will learn about famous historical spies, navigate mazes, conduct DNA analysis, solve clues, use cool spy devices, and race to solve the mystery before time runs out. The week will culminate in a demonstration of the detective work they have learned. 

Sure, you know all about Monopoly and Checkers, but have you ever played Santorini? Or Carcassonne? Have you played Mancala, or Planetarium, or Dixit? The world of gaming expands exponentially every year, with many fascinating games coming out all the time, both in terms of board games as well as video games. There are also virtual reality and augmented reality games, all of which challenge the brain to work in new ways, learning new strategies and applying them in different ways against each new opponent. The week will culminate with a final bracket championship challenge.

For the final week of Hun Adventures, students will get to choose their own course of study. This will be chosen by students who have participated in previous weeks, and should be within the discipline of the specific course. They will incorporate skills they have learned in previous weeks and present what they have learned on the final day of the week. Students who did not participate in previous weeks are still welcome to attend this week.