Honors college offers fun summer programs for bright kids

Contact: Jeanne Baron

April 18, 2013

Photo of young boys playing chess. — The first summer classes begin June 17.

KALAMAZOO—Challenging activities focusing on music, poetry, Web design and other topics are on tap for youngsters who participate in the summer classes being offered through the Academically Talented Youth Program—ATYP—run by Western Michigan University's Lee Honors College.

The hands-on classes are designed primarily for bright students entering grades six or seven through nine who enjoy a challenging learning environment. Participants do not need to be enrolled in ATYP, nor are there any eligibility requirements. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged.

Returning programs

Seven programs are back by popular demand:

Ceramic face jugs;
Chess;
Graphic novels;
Japanese language and culture;
Pinhole photography;
Poetry workshop; and
Web page design.

New programs

Among the new classes this year is "Writing the College Admissions Essay," a course to help students entering their senior year in high school develop essay ideas and focus on what they really want colleges to know about them. It is for incoming seniors, but juniors may attend on a space-available basis.

Three other new programs are being offered to students entering grades six through nine.

"Aha! Gotcha! Math, Problems and Competitions" is for those who enjoy problem solving through math puzzles and games.
"Music: Bach, Beatles, Bieber and Beyond" is a music appreciation class.
"Kalamazoo Laptop Orchestra" is a class in which students hack into a laptop and use nearly all of its features to play sounds. Neither music class requires prior music or computer experience.

Program details

ATYP summer classes are held on campus in the Lee Honors College building. The first classes start the week of June 17 and the last classes start the week of July 22. They run from 9 a.m. to noon or 1 to 4 p.m. for one week.

The cost for a class is $100 per week. Lunch is not included, but those taking morning as well as afternoon classes are welcome to bring their lunch to the honors college, where they will be supervised during the lunch break.

For more information or to obtain a registration form, visit wmich.edu/atyp or contact the ATYP office at atyp-info@wmich.edu or (269) 387-3230.

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