4-H Farm Center at Auer Farm
Grades: 2-5
Participating Districts: Barkhamsted, Bloomfield, Hartford and Simsbury
In this summer program at Auer Farm in Bloomfield, students learn in the farm classroom how to investigate the properties of soil, the life cycles of flowering plants, effects of light and water on seed germination and follow the food-cycle from the field to the table. Through direct contact with the farm animals, they learn the interconnectedness between what the animals provide for people and what people must provide for the animals. Each day, students make food from products grown on the farm. Using scientific inquiry, students integrate mathematical concepts and reading, writing and vocabulary skills to discover the skills farmers use to grow food and understand nutrition.
www.auerfarm.org
Center for Creative Youth
Grades 9-12
Participating Districts: Open Statewide
The Center for Creative Youth (CCY) is a five-week summer residency in the arts for talented high school students. This program increases artistic and academic skills in an advanced and intensive arts curriculum, and reduces racial isolation as diverse students live and work together. Students gain new insight from the multicultural perspectives presented in each of the art forms and are encouraged to become more active performers and audience members. In each of the art disciplines, students gain practical experience in an advanced curriculum emphasizing critical thinking, interdisciplinary and multicultural learning, leadership skills and historical context. Students leave CCY with a better perspective on career and higher education choices.
Visit www.crec.org/ccy for more information.
Metacomet Ridge Interdistrict Academy
Grades: 7-12
Participating Districts: Open to all CREC districts
In this program, students from a wide variety of racial, ethnic and sociological backgrounds collaborate on an interdisciplinary, geographic study of the Metacomet Ridge. Through field studies, interschool visits and exchanges of information through technology, students acquire highly technical scientific skills and use technology and scientific equipment to collect information. Teams of students collect, organize and analyze data to produce reports for the Connecticut State Department of Environmental Protection and to develop presentations about their findings. This program builds critical thinking, technology competency, scientific understanding, scientific research and many other skills.
Public Safety Academy: Career Explorations
Grades: 6-8
Participating Districts: Open to all CREC districts
This career awareness program for middle school students, who may have an interest in pursuing a career in firefighting, state and local police work, homeland security, and emergency medical services, is the compliment of the regular academic year program. Developed in partnership with Police and Fire Departments in the region, CT State Police, as well as CT Homeland Security and St. Francis Hospital, this program is addressing the need for qualified candidates for careers in public safety. Working with certified teachers and professionals in public safety agencies, students will have morning classroom academic instruction and afternoon field experiences that will introduce them to careers in public safety and will help them develop the academic skills that are required for working in the various areas of public safety. The racially and ethnically diverse group of students in this program will form friendships based on respect and understanding and gain the ability to successfully relate to individuals from all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups.
Summer Institute for Future Teachers
Grades 9-12
Participating Districts: Open Statewide
Held at Eastern Connecticut State University, the Summer Institute for Future Teachers is an intensive, four- week residential program that engages and challenges highly qualified high school students by exposing them to the teaching profession, developing their knowledge and skills, and inspiring them to continue in this career path. The program features diversity at every level of staffing and student involvement. SIFT demonstrates a blend of theory and practice – and a balance between dynamic interaction and careful reflection. The successful completion of this course earns students college credits, awarded by ECSU.
For more information, visit Summer Institute for Future Teachers on Eastern's web site.
Summer Institute for Science and Math - Health & Medical Science
Grades 10-12
Participating Districts: Open Statewide
These four-week courses, held at Saint Joseph College, provide a review of the fields of Health & Medical Sciences and explore technology and molecular biology. Health & Medical Science students explore the science and art of analyzing and promoting healthy behaviors. Students will develop skills in maintaining scientific laboratory reports, preparing reports and portfolios, and developing class presentations. Focus areas include nutrition, physical activity, stress management, health careers and lifestyle choices.
Students enrolled in the Biotechnology section explore the mystery behind genes and human heredity. Focus areas include: cellular structure, DNA isolation and polymerase chain reaction. Students use molecular biology equipment and technology to perform basic molecular techniques examining one of their own genes.
The successful completion of either of these residential courses earns students college credits and potentially high school credit.
For more information, visit the Summer Institute for Science and Math on the Saint Joseph College web site.
Summer Musical Theater Workshop
Grades: 8-10
Participating Districts: CREC member districts
The Summer Musical Theater Workshop at the CREC Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts is an intense, six-week theater experience. The approximately 50 culturally diverse students in the program are from a variety of school districts. Each participant auditions for the program in the early spring. Theater productions require full cooperation from the cast and crew, and are an excellent venue for learning to work together as a team – and for promoting multicultural and multiracial understanding. The students rotate through three different classes, typically singing, acting and dance. Individual voice lessons and group art projects are also part of the program. Students will be exposed to the contributions of artists of a variety of backgrounds and cultures, both historical and contemporary. Exercises affirm students’ racial, ethnic and economic diversity; promote cooperative group interaction; and develop and refine performance abilities.
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