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Middle School Intersession 2025
This schedule is a draft and subject to change until December 9 when students sign-up.

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Audience: 2 Blocks clear filter
Tuesday, January 7
 

8:30am PST

Bugs of Pokémon
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:30am - 11:05am PST
The creator of Pokémon, Satoshi Tajiri, spent his childhood collecting bugs in the Japanese countryside. His love of bugs can be seen throughout Pokémon from the buggy pocket monsters that were inspired by real insects and arachnids, to the Pokémon attacks and abilities that actually exist in the real world. Come learn about the bugs that inspired Pokémon and how the game of Pokémon and the science of Entomology are alike!
Facilitators
avatar for Stephanie Dole

Stephanie Dole

Beetlelady
Stephanie Dole, PhD, known as the Beetlelady, is an entomologist who captivates audiences of all ages with her enthusiasm and knowledge of insects. She brings the world of bugs to life through engaging, hands-on educational class and experiences, such as her Pop-Up Bug Museum... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:30am - 11:05am PST
F102
  5-6 Grade

8:30am PST

Embroidery
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:30am - 11:05am PST
Embroidery is a lovely way to embellish and personalize your clothing and linens. We'll have iron-on patterns or you can do free-form embroidery, learning a variety of outlining stitches including backstitch, split stitch, chain stitch, stem stitch, as well as textured stitches like French knots and woven roses. Fabric will be provided, but you can bring in clothing or other textiles from home to decorate them with embroidery.
Facilitators
avatar for Kira Dulaney

Kira Dulaney

Kira K Designs
Kira Dulaney has been teaching fiber arts classes and hosting crafty events in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond since 2002. As a teacher, her focus is on providing valuable information in a stress-free environment, and supporting students through the learning process. She is... Read More →

Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:30am - 11:05am PST
J210

8:30am PST

Improv Games from the Vault!
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:30am - 11:05am PST
In this class we will be going all out with Improv games! Even if you have had improv before we will be exploring games we have never played. Quickly learning the basics of the games and jumping into creating characters, playing games, and having fun.
Facilitators
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:30am - 11:05am PST
J201-202

8:30am PST

Learn To Play Guitar
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:30am - 11:05am PST
Students will learn the fundamental chord shapes on the guitar, as well as basic strumming, scales, and rhythmic concepts. We will also cover how songs are created and analyzed through the lens of contemporary rock/pop music. No experience required.
Facilitators
GV

Greg Vaughan

Greg Vaughan has taught guitar and ukulele at Gryphon Strings for over two decades. He specializes in contemporary music including alternative, punk, rock (modern and classic), acoustic (especially classic and new rock), and electric blues guitar. He also has taught group guitar and... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:30am - 11:05am PST
C101
  5-6 Grade

8:30am PST

American Sign Language
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:30am - 11:05am PST
Of the more than 380 languages used in the United States, only one of these consists of hand gestures, body movements and facial expressions, rather than the spoken word. Get a 'feel' for American Sign Language and Deaf culture as we learn the ASL alphabet, play games, sing and sign our way through this exciting hands-on workshop! You will learn enough signs to chat with your friends from across the room ...without making a sound!
Facilitators
avatar for Bill White

Bill White

Founder, Author, Teacher, Dad, Happy Baby Signs
Bill White is the founder of the Happy Baby Signs and co-author with Kathleen Harper of the internationally best selling book, Signs of a Happy Baby. He has facilitated baby sign language programs at Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, Sutter Health, Harmony Birth and Family, Blossom... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:30am - 11:05am PST
J209
  7-8 Grade

8:30am PST

Build a Prosthetic: Hands-On Biomedical Engineering Workshop
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:30am - 11:05am PST
Biomedical engineering (BME) is a field that blends engineering, science, and healthcare to solve some of the world's most pressing medical challenges. Biomedical engineers and scientists work on a variety of innovative projects, from developing medical devices to advancing technologies that improve lives. By applying creative problem-solving and engineering principles, biomedical engineers develop solutions that enhance health and well-being for individuals worldwide.

One area of BME that’s having a profound impact is the development of prosthetics -artificial limbs. Prosthetic limbs are critical solutions for people who have lost limbs due to accidents, illness, or congenital conditions, helping them regain mobility and independence. However, challenges still exist. Many prosthetics are heavy, difficult to personalize, and not as intuitive or functional as they could be. There’s a significant need for prosthetic designs that are lightweight, affordable, and capable of mimicking natural movement.

In this hands-on workshop, you’ll dive into the engineering design process to build a prosthetic limb prototype. You'll explore how biomedical engineering is addressing these unmet needs and learn how innovations in prosthetics are improving the lives of many.

🔧 What You’ll Do:
  • Design and build a functional leg prosthetic prototype using everyday materials—no high-tech tools required!
  • Apply the engineering design process: brainstorm, build, test, and refine.
  • Discover the exciting intersection of science, creativity, and real-world problem-solving in biomedical engineering.
💡 Why Attend?
  • Gain hands-on STEM experience 
  • Develop teamwork and critical thinking skills while tackling real-world challenges.
  • Create an innovative project to showcase your talents!

Seats are limited—secure your spot today!


Facilitators
avatar for Khyati Dave

Khyati Dave

Khyati Dave is a passionate innovator dedicated to transforming healthcare and STEAM education. She is the founder of The Eclectic STEAM Studio for Innovation , fostering future scientists & engineers through hands-on learning and a founder of  a health tech startup addressing unmet... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:30am - 11:05am PST
I-Lab Right

8:30am PST

Controlled Chaos as a Storytelling Medium
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:30am - 11:05am PST
This session will introduce students to the joy of spontaneous storytelling. The class will begin with a brief discussion on the value and history of stories. Each student will then independently write a one-minute scene, entirely unconnected to the other students' scenes.

Afterward, the class will come together to collaboratively weave these chaotic scenes into a cohesive story. If time permits, the session will culminate in a performance of their new masterpiece.

This engaging session will help students develop their writing and storytelling skills, foster creativity, and exercise new ways of thinking—all while having a lot of fun.
Facilitators
E

EnActe

Director of Education, EnActe Arts. (EnActe School Of Drama)
https://www.enacte.org/join-our-email-list/
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:30am - 11:05am PST
L101

8:30am PST

From Cover to Cover: A Book Arts Workshop
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:30am - 11:05am PST
In this book arts workshop, we will explore the art of handmade books. We’ll learn basic bookbinding techniques like folding and stitching, create unique covers using mixed media and collage, and design personalized pages that tell a story or reflect a theme.
This hands-on class encourages creativity and self-expression, blending art, design, and storytelling. By the end, each student will have a one-of-a-kind book they’ve crafted themselves—a special keepsake they can take home.
Facilitators
NO

Nina Osborne

Nina Osborne is a multimedia artist, printmaker, and art educator with a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art and an MA in Teaching from Johns Hopkins University. As a mother of three boys aged 7, 9, and 10, she values nurturing creativity in young minds. Nina combines her... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:30am - 11:05am PST
F101

12:05pm PST

American Sign Language
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:05pm - 2:40pm PST
Of the more than 380 languages used in the United States, only one of these consists of hand gestures, body movements and facial expressions, rather than the spoken word. Get a 'feel' for American Sign Language and Deaf culture as we learn the ASL alphabet, play games, sing and sign our way through this exciting hands-on workshop! You will learn enough signs to chat with your friends from across the room ...without making a sound!
Facilitators
avatar for Bill White

Bill White

Founder, Author, Teacher, Dad, Happy Baby Signs
Bill White is the founder of the Happy Baby Signs and co-author with Kathleen Harper of the internationally best selling book, Signs of a Happy Baby. He has facilitated baby sign language programs at Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, Sutter Health, Harmony Birth and Family, Blossom... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:05pm - 2:40pm PST
J209
  5-6 Grade

12:05pm PST

Build a Prosthetic: Hands-On Biomedical Engineering Workshop
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:05pm - 2:40pm PST
Biomedical engineering (BME) is a field that blends engineering, science, and healthcare to solve some of the world's most pressing medical challenges. Biomedical engineers and scientists work on a variety of innovative projects, from developing medical devices to advancing technologies that improve lives. By applying creative problem-solving and engineering principles, biomedical engineers develop solutions that enhance health and well-being for individuals worldwide.

One area of BME that’s having a profound impact is the development of prosthetics -artificial limbs. Prosthetic limbs are critical solutions for people who have lost limbs due to accidents, illness, or congenital conditions, helping them regain mobility and independence. However, challenges still exist. Many prosthetics are heavy, difficult to personalize, and not as intuitive or functional as they could be. There’s a significant need for prosthetic designs that are lightweight, affordable, and capable of mimicking natural movement.

In this hands-on workshop, you’ll dive into the engineering design process to build a prosthetic limb prototype. You'll explore how biomedical engineering is addressing these unmet needs and learn how innovations in prosthetics are improving the lives of many.

🔧 What You’ll Do:
  • Design and build a functional leg prosthetic prototype using everyday materials—no high-tech tools required!
  • Apply the engineering design process: brainstorm, build, test, and refine.
  • Discover the exciting intersection of science, creativity, and real-world problem-solving in biomedical engineering.
💡 Why Attend?
  • Gain hands-on STEM experience 
  • Develop teamwork and critical thinking skills while tackling real-world challenges.
  • Create an innovative project to showcase your talents!
Seats are limited—secure your spot today!

Facilitators
avatar for Khyati Dave

Khyati Dave

Khyati Dave is a passionate innovator dedicated to transforming healthcare and STEAM education. She is the founder of The Eclectic STEAM Studio for Innovation , fostering future scientists & engineers through hands-on learning and a founder of  a health tech startup addressing unmet... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:05pm - 2:40pm PST
I-Lab Right

12:05pm PST

From Cover to Cover: A Book Arts Workshop
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:05pm - 2:40pm PST
In this book arts workshop, we will explore the art of handmade books. We’ll learn basic bookbinding techniques like folding and stitching, create unique covers using mixed media and collage, and design personalized pages that tell a story or reflect a theme.
This hands-on class encourages creativity and self-expression, blending art, design, and storytelling. By the end, each student will have a one-of-a-kind book they’ve crafted themselves—a special keepsake they can take home.
Facilitators
NO

Nina Osborne

Nina Osborne is a multimedia artist, printmaker, and art educator with a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art and an MA in Teaching from Johns Hopkins University. As a mother of three boys aged 7, 9, and 10, she values nurturing creativity in young minds. Nina combines her... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:05pm - 2:40pm PST
F101

12:05pm PST

Improv Games from the Vault!
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:05pm - 2:40pm PST
In this class we will be going all out with Improv games! Even if you have had improv before we will be exploring games we have never played. Quickly learning the basics of the games and jumping into creating characters, playing games, and having fun.
Facilitators
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:05pm - 2:40pm PST
J201-202

12:05pm PST

Bugs of Pokémon
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:05pm - 2:40pm PST
The creator of Pokémon, Satoshi Tajiri, spent his childhood collecting bugs in the Japanese countryside. His love of bugs can be seen throughout Pokémon from the buggy pocket monsters that were inspired by real insects and arachnids, to the Pokémon attacks and abilities that actually exist in the real world. Come learn about the bugs that inspired Pokémon and how the game of Pokémon and the science of Entomology are alike!
Facilitators
avatar for Stephanie Dole

Stephanie Dole

Beetlelady
Stephanie Dole, PhD, known as the Beetlelady, is an entomologist who captivates audiences of all ages with her enthusiasm and knowledge of insects. She brings the world of bugs to life through engaging, hands-on educational class and experiences, such as her Pop-Up Bug Museum... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:05pm - 2:40pm PST
F102
  7-8 Grade

12:05pm PST

Embroidery
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:05pm - 2:40pm PST
Embroidery is a lovely way to embellish and personalize your clothing and linens. We'll have iron-on patterns or you can do free-form embroidery, learning a variety of outlining stitches including backstitch, split stitch, chain stitch, stem stitch, as well as textured stitches like French knots and woven roses. Fabric will be provided, but you can bring in clothing or other textiles from home to decorate them with embroidery.
Facilitators
avatar for Kira Dulaney

Kira Dulaney

Kira K Designs
Kira Dulaney has been teaching fiber arts classes and hosting crafty events in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond since 2002. As a teacher, her focus is on providing valuable information in a stress-free environment, and supporting students through the learning process. She is... Read More →

Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:05pm - 2:40pm PST
J210

12:05pm PST

Learn To Play Guitar
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:05pm - 2:40pm PST
Students will learn the fundamental chord shapes on the guitar, as well as basic strumming, scales, and rhythmic concepts. We will also cover how songs are created and analyzed through the lens of contemporary rock/pop music. No experience required.
Facilitators
GV

Greg Vaughan

Greg Vaughan has taught guitar and ukulele at Gryphon Strings for over two decades. He specializes in contemporary music including alternative, punk, rock (modern and classic), acoustic (especially classic and new rock), and electric blues guitar. He also has taught group guitar and... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:05pm - 2:40pm PST
C101
  7-8 Grade

12:05pm PST

The World of Wireframes
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:05pm - 2:40pm PST
This class is intended for self-identifying girls

Are you ready to embark on an exciting journey to a world where girls feel equally confident participating in STEM fields and unleash their entrepreneurial potential? Look no further than The World of Wireframes Intersession by Lexie Polevoi! Lexie Polevoi is a current Product Manager in the EdTech space and the founder of Learn with Ms. Lexie where she teaches a problem-based entrepreneurship and empathy-based leadership curriculum to middle school girls. With The World of Wireframes, students will gain exposure to design thinking and product creation with the goal of feeling empowered and inspired to pursue entrepreneurship and any other field as the next generation of female thinkers. In a time when women hold only 6% of STEM CEO positions, this Intersession will help to break barriers and encourage students to embrace their STEM superpowers by teaching them a fundamental skill in the product lifecycle, creating wireframes.

No prior STEM experience? No problem! The World of Wireframes is an inclusive enrichment session for all self-identifying women from various backgrounds and experience levels. During this session, girls will practice problem-solving as they learn part of the product lifecycle and how to visually represent their ideas. The only prerequisites are a collaborative spirit and open mind! Join us in defying the stereotypes and stigmas surrounding female leadership and women in STEM. The World of Wireframes teaches students that women can excel in STEM and product work at any level. So, what are you waiting for? Enroll today and let's unleash your potential and conquer the world of entrepreneurship together!
Facilitators
avatar for Lexie Polevoi

Lexie Polevoi

Founder, Learn with Ms. Lexie
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:05pm - 2:40pm PST
L101
 
Wednesday, January 8
 

8:30am PST

Enter the World of Roekron! Live Action Battles and Role Play
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:30am - 11:05am PST
Live Action Role Playing (LARP), players pretend to be someone else, living in a different time or place, and acting out events that might happen in that world. Many of these games involve battles, and so LARPers use safe, padded props that look like weapons to act out the combat. Unlike in a play where everyone has certain lines to say and the story is set, in LARP, the players each act out a certain person and make their own decisions for that person as the game evolves. Live Action Role Playing is a tremendous teaching tool and capable of dynamic, physically driven learning that transcends the usual boundaries of standard education. Due to the interactive, dramatic, hands on methods used in LARP, teaching is often effortless and fun. This class begins with basic battle training and rules of combat, followed by character creation and entry into the game world of Roekron, a game world continuously run for over two decades in the Bay Area and which currently has leagues all across the region with weekly and monthly meetups. Students will have a character at the end of this class that can be taken and used in any of the other Roekron League events they choose and may continue their story at future events if they wish.

Topics Covered:
- First Five Battle Rules
- Equipment Sets and Weapons
- Armor System of AV
- Basic Spell and Skill Types
- Overview of the Classes
- Character Species
- Character Backstory
- Alignments
- Flow of Events
- Playing a Monster or NPC
- Quests and Role Playing
- Magical Items and Money Cards
- Completing a Mission
- Transfer of Characters to other leagues

Check out these videos to get a sense of what we'll be doing!
Intro (2min)
The Regulars LARPing (SF Chronicle)- 
https://youtu.be/YdnqN-TcBq4

Core Rules-(13min)
The First Five Rules- 
https://youtu.be/K7PVm6rw2H8
Armor Zones- (3min)
https://youtu.be/N67hPOenaHU
Color Tags- (5min)
https://youtu.be/XIbgvo-5nnA

-Bonus Material-
TEDx Talk on LARPing with Kids and Teens- (10min)
https://youtu.be/L6xl-qYRHco

Sebastopol Times Article 2024
(10min read)
Facilitators
avatar for Christopher Melville

Christopher Melville

Director, FANWAR LARP
Born and raised in California, Christopher Melville has deep roots in education. He grew up in Willits, CA attending an alternative Montessori school founded by his parents. He went on to attend Sonoma State University, as a double major in English (Creative Writing) and Theater Arts... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:30am - 11:05am PST
Field

8:30am PST

Learn to Play Ukulele
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:30am - 11:05am PST
George Harrison wrote, “Everyone should have and play a ‘UKE.’ It’s so simple to carry with you and it is one instrument you can’t play and not laugh!” He carried his uke with him and gave away ukes to friends whenever he could. “Everyone I know who is into the ukulele is ‘crackers,’ so get yourself a few and enjoy yourselves,” he said. Good advice from a Beatle. This course offers an introduction to playing the ukulele. Geared toward both complete neophytes and experienced beginners, the course will teach students the basics of uke chords and strumming. A dozen or so chords will be covered as well as a few strum patterns and basic fingerpicking. Basic chart reading and rhythm studies will also be discussed. No experience required.
Facilitators
GV

Greg Vaughan

Greg Vaughan has taught guitar and ukulele at Gryphon Strings for over two decades. He specializes in contemporary music including alternative, punk, rock (modern and classic), acoustic (especially classic and new rock), and electric blues guitar. He also has taught group guitar and... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:30am - 11:05am PST
C101
  5-6 Grade

8:30am PST

The Poetry of Objects: Still Life Creations
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:30am - 11:05am PST
This class is an immersive journey into the art of still life drawing. In this class, we will delve into the silent narratives that everyday objects can tell. Much like a poet finds meaning in every word, we will discover the beauty and stories concealed within the objects that surround us.

Students will learn basic drawing techniques, and work with a variety of drawing materials. We will look at examples from art history for inspiration and guidance. Through the careful arrangement of objects, lighting, and composition, we will uncover the beauty in the mundane.

If you’re someone who loves to draw, this is a great class for you. If you’re someone who is afraid to draw, this is also a great class for you! Come and learn the basics, or continue to hone your skills. You'll be encouraged to unleash your inner poet, and create visual verses with pen and pencil!
Facilitators
NO

Nina Osborne

Nina Osborne is a multimedia artist, printmaker, and art educator with a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art and an MA in Teaching from Johns Hopkins University. As a mother of three boys aged 7, 9, and 10, she values nurturing creativity in young minds. Nina combines her... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:30am - 11:05am PST
F101

8:30am PST

Understanding and Visualizing Word Embeddings for Modern AI Systems
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:30am - 11:05am PST
In this session we introduce the concept of word embeddings as a proxy for "meaning" and explain the intuition of how they play an important role in modern AI systems. We will begin by starting with a simpler example - colors - and show how we can use a simple 3-dimensional vector to represent colors. We will then show the intuition of distance between colors and how colors that are closer to each other in distance are also closer to each other visually. We will then connect the concept of vectors to represent colors to vector in a higher dimension space that can represent the "meaning" of words and then show how words that have similar meaning will be closer to each other.
Facilitators
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:30am - 11:05am PST
EC213

8:30am PST

American Sign Language
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:30am - 11:05am PST
Of the more than 380 languages used in the United States, only one of these consists of hand gestures, body movements and facial expressions, rather than the spoken word. Get a 'feel' for American Sign Language and Deaf culture as we learn the ASL alphabet, play games, sing and sign our way through this exciting hands-on workshop! You will learn enough signs to chat with your friends from across the room ...without making a sound!
Facilitators
avatar for Bill White

Bill White

Founder, Author, Teacher, Dad, Happy Baby Signs
Bill White is the founder of the Happy Baby Signs and co-author with Kathleen Harper of the internationally best selling book, Signs of a Happy Baby. He has facilitated baby sign language programs at Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, Sutter Health, Harmony Birth and Family, Blossom... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:30am - 11:05am PST
J209
  7-8 Grade

8:30am PST

Consent and Treatment of the Dead in Museums
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:30am - 11:05am PST
Museums curate and display human remains in order to research the past and to educate the public. But it has come to light that many of the individuals on display might not have considered the museum to be their ideal final resting place. Adding in individual and indigenous voices problematises the concept of curation of human remains, but many archaeologists see us on a path we can’t retreat from without radically changing the field. Museum visitors also expect to see skeletons, and most find it part of their education - and often inspires them to go into research of medicine. Additionally, ancient cultures and modern society have radically different views of the afterlife, consent, and burial practices that are often at odds with each other. In this session we’ll learn about and debate these differing views.

Key questions: How can we as curators and archaeologists balance these different value systems? Do the dead have a voice, and what would they argue for? What are some of the arguments for and against keeping human remains on a case-by-case basis? How can we develop more complex arguments than "I wouldn't want that to happen to my body" when all of our ideas of our bodies are different?
Facilitators
avatar for Stacy Hackner

Stacy Hackner

Dr Stacy Hackner is an interdisciplinary researcher who has worked with human remains in the British Museum, the Museum of London, and the UCL Pathology Museum, among others. Her work broadly covers feminist and decolonial archaeology, the role of women in society, and lower leg biomechanics... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:30am - 11:05am PST
EC113

8:30am PST

Enter the World of Roekron! Live Action Battles and Role Play
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:30am - 11:05am PST
Live Action Role Playing (LARP), players pretend to be someone else, living in a different time or place, and acting out events that might happen in that world. Many of these games involve battles, and so LARPers use safe, padded props that look like weapons to act out the combat. Unlike in a play where everyone has certain lines to say and the story is set, in LARP, the players each act out a certain person and make their own decisions for that person as the game evolves. Live Action Role Playing is a tremendous teaching tool and capable of dynamic, physically driven learning that transcends the usual boundaries of standard education. Due to the interactive, dramatic, hands on methods used in LARP, teaching is often effortless and fun. This class begins with basic battle training and rules of combat, followed by character creation and entry into the game world of Roekron, a game world continuously run for over two decades in the Bay Area and which currently has leagues all across the region with weekly and monthly meetups. Students will have a character at the end of this class that can be taken and used in any of the other Roekron League events they choose and may continue their story at future events if they wish.

Topics Covered:
- First Five Battle Rules
- Equipment Sets and Weapons
- Armor System of AV
- Basic Spell and Skill Types
- Overview of the Classes
- Character Species
- Character Backstory
- Alignments
- Flow of Events
- Playing a Monster or NPC
- Quests and Role Playing
- Magical Items and Money Cards
- Completing a Mission
- Transfer of Characters to other leagues

Check out these videos to get a sense of what we'll be doing!
Intro (2min)
The Regulars LARPing (SF Chronicle)- 
https://youtu.be/YdnqN-TcBq4

Core Rules-(13min)
The First Five Rules- 
https://youtu.be/K7PVm6rw2H8
Armor Zones- (3min)
https://youtu.be/N67hPOenaHU
Color Tags- (5min)
https://youtu.be/XIbgvo-5nnA

-Bonus Material-
TEDx Talk on LARPing with Kids and Teens- (10min)
https://youtu.be/L6xl-qYRHco

Sebastopol Times Article 2024
(10min read)
Facilitators
avatar for Christopher Melville

Christopher Melville

Director, FANWAR LARP
Born and raised in California, Christopher Melville has deep roots in education. He grew up in Willits, CA attending an alternative Montessori school founded by his parents. He went on to attend Sonoma State University, as a double major in English (Creative Writing) and Theater Arts... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:30am - 11:05am PST
Field

8:30am PST

Improv Games from the Vault!
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:30am - 11:05am PST
In this class we will be going all out with Improv games! Even if you have had improv before we will be exploring games we have never played. Quickly learning the basics of the games and jumping into creating characters, playing games, and having fun.
Facilitators
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:30am - 11:05am PST
J201-202

8:30am PST

Laugh Lab: Stand-Up Comedy Writing
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:30am - 11:05am PST
In this half-day comedy writing workshop, middle school students will explore the exciting world of stand-up comedy, skits, and sketches. Through fun activities, group collaborations, and creative brainstorming, students will learn how to craft jokes, build characters, and create funny scenarios from everyday life. Whether they want to write their own stand-up routine or collaborate on a hilarious sketch with friends, this workshop encourages creativity and expression. By the end of the session, participants will have the chance to share their work in a supportive environment while gaining confidence in their comedic voice.
Facilitators
CR

Corey Rosen

My name is Corey Rosen.  My wife, Jenny, teaches drama and improv at Nueva. I am a writer, actor, producer and author of “Your Story, Well Told.”  I host The Moth StorySlam and have been featured on The Sarah and Vinnie Show and The Moth Radio Hour. My teaching specialty is... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:30am - 11:05am PST
D101

12:05pm PST

American Sign Language
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:05pm - 2:40pm PST
Of the more than 380 languages used in the United States, only one of these consists of hand gestures, body movements and facial expressions, rather than the spoken word. Get a 'feel' for American Sign Language and Deaf culture as we learn the ASL alphabet, play games, sing and sign our way through this exciting hands-on workshop! You will learn enough signs to chat with your friends from across the room ...without making a sound!
Facilitators
avatar for Bill White

Bill White

Founder, Author, Teacher, Dad, Happy Baby Signs
Bill White is the founder of the Happy Baby Signs and co-author with Kathleen Harper of the internationally best selling book, Signs of a Happy Baby. He has facilitated baby sign language programs at Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, Sutter Health, Harmony Birth and Family, Blossom... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:05pm - 2:40pm PST
J209
  5-6 Grade

12:05pm PST

Archaeological Sites And Their Importance Around The World
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:05pm - 2:40pm PST
Did you know the pyramids are visible from downtown Cairo? But Stonehenge is in a protected countryisde area? And that people still live in Angkor Wat? We will look at ancient archaeological sites - who built them, how they have been interpreted, and how modern people use these monuments.
Facilitators
avatar for Stacy Hackner

Stacy Hackner

Dr Stacy Hackner is an interdisciplinary researcher who has worked with human remains in the British Museum, the Museum of London, and the UCL Pathology Museum, among others. Her work broadly covers feminist and decolonial archaeology, the role of women in society, and lower leg biomechanics... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:05pm - 2:40pm PST
EC113
  5-6 Grade

12:05pm PST

The World of Wireframes
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:05pm - 2:40pm PST
This class is intended for self-identifying girls

Are you ready to embark on an exciting journey to a world where girls feel equally confident participating in STEM fields and unleash their entrepreneurial potential? Look no further than The World of Wireframes Intersession by Lexie Polevoi! Lexie Polevoi is a current Product Manager in the EdTech space and the founder of Learn with Ms. Lexie where she teaches a problem-based entrepreneurship and empathy-based leadership curriculum to middle school girls. With The World of Wireframes, students will gain exposure to design thinking and product creation with the goal of feeling empowered and inspired to pursue entrepreneurship and any other field as the next generation of female thinkers. In a time when women hold only 6% of STEM CEO positions, this Intersession will help to break barriers and encourage students to embrace their STEM superpowers by teaching them a fundamental skill in the product lifecycle, creating wireframes.

No prior STEM experience? No problem! The World of Wireframes is an inclusive enrichment session for all self-identifying women from various backgrounds and experience levels. During this session, girls will practice problem-solving as they learn part of the product lifecycle and how to visually represent their ideas. The only prerequisites are a collaborative spirit and open mind! Join us in defying the stereotypes and stigmas surrounding female leadership and women in STEM. The World of Wireframes teaches students that women can excel in STEM and product work at any level. So, what are you waiting for? Enroll today and let's unleash your potential and conquer the world of entrepreneurship together!
Facilitators
avatar for Lexie Polevoi

Lexie Polevoi

Founder, Learn with Ms. Lexie
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:05pm - 2:40pm PST
L101

12:05pm PST

CS Scripting: Can a Computer Program Write a Paper for You?
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:05pm - 2:40pm PST
Have you ever had to write a five-page paper, but only filled up four pages? This workshop will teach you how to write a computer program to solve this problem! We’ll discuss strategies and algorithms for generating “random text”. Then, using the Python programming language, we’ll write a program that does what we want. This workshop would be appropriate for all levels of programming experience, from beginning to more advanced.
Facilitators
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:05pm - 2:40pm PST
L102

12:05pm PST

Improv Games from the Vault!
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:05pm - 2:40pm PST
In this class we will be going all out with Improv games! Even if you have had improv before we will be exploring games we have never played. Quickly learning the basics of the games and jumping into creating characters, playing games, and having fun.
Facilitators
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:05pm - 2:40pm PST
J201-202

12:05pm PST

Learn to Play Ukulele
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:05pm - 2:40pm PST
George Harrison wrote, “Everyone should have and play a ‘UKE.’ It’s so simple to carry with you and it is one instrument you can’t play and not laugh!” He carried his uke with him and gave away ukes to friends whenever he could. “Everyone I know who is into the ukulele is ‘crackers,’ so get yourself a few and enjoy yourselves,” he said. Good advice from a Beatle. This course offers an introduction to playing the ukulele. Geared toward both complete neophytes and experienced beginners, the course will teach students the basics of uke chords and strumming. A dozen or so chords will be covered as well as a few strum patterns and basic fingerpicking. Basic chart reading and rhythm studies will also be discussed. No experience required.
Facilitators
GV

Greg Vaughan

Greg Vaughan has taught guitar and ukulele at Gryphon Strings for over two decades. He specializes in contemporary music including alternative, punk, rock (modern and classic), acoustic (especially classic and new rock), and electric blues guitar. He also has taught group guitar and... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:05pm - 2:40pm PST
C101
  7-8 Grade

12:05pm PST

The Poetry of Objects: Still Life Creations
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:05pm - 2:40pm PST
This class is an immersive journey into the art of still life drawing. In this class, we will delve into the silent narratives that everyday objects can tell. Much like a poet finds meaning in every word, we will discover the beauty and stories concealed within the objects that surround us.

Students will learn basic drawing techniques, and work with a variety of drawing materials. We will look at examples from art history for inspiration and guidance. Through the careful arrangement of objects, lighting, and composition, we will uncover the beauty in the mundane.

If you’re someone who loves to draw, this is a great class for you. If you’re someone who is afraid to draw, this is also a great class for you! Come and learn the basics, or continue to hone your skills. You'll be encouraged to unleash your inner poet, and create visual verses with pen and pencil!
Facilitators
NO

Nina Osborne

Nina Osborne is a multimedia artist, printmaker, and art educator with a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art and an MA in Teaching from Johns Hopkins University. As a mother of three boys aged 7, 9, and 10, she values nurturing creativity in young minds. Nina combines her... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:05pm - 2:40pm PST
F101
 
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