Lakeside School

Use words to express yourself and tell your story! In this class, we will explore various forms of written expression--short stories, poetry, spoken word, and more--to inspire us and help us find our own voices. Using a writing workshop format, students will work in small groups, pairs, and one-on-one with the teacher to hone their craft.

What does it take to solve a crime? Put your skills to the test to see if you can figure out who did it. Learn how to determine the blood type of a blood sample, analyze fingerprints left at the scene, examine hair and fiber samples, learn about DNA, and study bones. Assemble your evidence by the end of the week to identify the culprit.

Drawing is the foundation of all art. During this action-packed week students will learn various techniques and complete a series of drawings and sketches. Skills covered will include drawing from life, value study, and incorporating the elements of design. Students will use a range of media such as pencil, ink, and charcoal. All levels of experience are welcome. 

Learn how to code animations, interactive art, and games! Start with simple shapes and build up to more sophisticated sprite-based games, using the same programming concepts and the design process computer scientists use daily. You will complete a personalized, interactive program that you can share on the Internet.

Do you look just like the rest of your family or very different? Have you ever wondered why people have the traits that they do? Take an active role in learning about DNA and genetics in this hands-on course. Throughout the week students will explore what genes do and how they work. By the end of the week students will apply their knowledge to create the genome of their own fictional creature.

Washington state is well known for its temperate rainforests, but below the quiet beauty of its majestic trees lies a boiling cauldron. Of the 20 volcanoes in the lower 48 states, Washington is home to five of them in its Cascade Mountain Range. In this class, you will learn about what plate tectonics have to do with the volcanoes on the West Coast and the infamous "Ring of Fire" as well as how to identify the types of volcanoes and the major hazards associated with eruptions, including lahars. The week will culminate with students making their own erupting volcano.

What makes a product fly off the shelf? How do internet “influencers” successfully market products? Why do people love slime videos so much? What is an “elevator pitch”? If you have wondered about the answers to these questions, this is the course for you! Using the design- thinking process, learn to create a product, build a marketing strategy, and pitch it to a panel of judges in a “Shark Tank”-like competition at the end of the week.

One of the easiest languages to read and understand, learning Python can lead to careers in web development, artificial intelligence, data science, game development, and more.  Progress from making simple text-based console programs to building complex games and apps with full graphics and sound.

From microscopic copepods to underwater forests and massive sharks, the marine environment is teeming with impressive organisms, ecosystems, and phenomena to investigate. During this introductory marine biology course, we will learn about the diversity of marine ecosystems on Earth before we conduct a more in-depth examination of our local Puget Sound. We’ll use microscopes to take a close look at live plankton samples and then learn about the mollusks, crustaceans, worms, algae, cnidarians, birds, mammals, and echinoderms we’re most likely to encounter here on our beaches. We will also address some of the conservation issues that most impact our waters and, at the end of the week (COVID-safety permitting), we will visit the intertidal to observe and actually meet some of our favorite local marine species!

Enjoy math? Do you like to play with numbers?  In this class, you will explore many areas of mathematics by solving puzzles and playing games.  Some of these puzzles will be activities you can do on your own – great amusements to keep you enthralled for hours on a rainy day. Most, however, will be interactive, hands-on games that you and your classmates will play together.  Build your math and logic skills while you explore great math puzzles and games, some which have stumped people for generations and others which are completely new inventions.  Join us for some puzzle-solving fun!

Learn the basic skills necessary to develop and deploy mobile applications. This course builds on the Unity3D platform to enable students to design games for the most popular mobile game engine, build touch screen-based user interfaces, and extend those designs for both virtual and augmented reality.

Color is such an exciting way to explore one’s creativity! Over the course of this week, students will learn the concepts of color mixing, color theory, and brush techniques. Painting both from observation and from their imaginations, students will explore multiple forms of media and complete a variety of fun projects. All levels of experience are welcome.

Have you ever wondered how roller coasters stay on their tracks? Or why you stick to the wall in a Gravitron ride? Learn about Newton’s laws of motion, centripetal force, kinetic energy, and much more in this fun, physics-filled course. Study bumper cars, carousels, and roller coasters to learn about the laws of physics. Students not only learn about how rides work but also design and build a model of an original amusement park ride! During the design of the model, students encounter many of the same issues that real-world engineers address.

Take your learning to new heights by exploring the science behind flight. Learn the elementary principles of flight such as lift, weight, thrust, drag, and Bernoulli’s Principle. Then apply your knowledge to hands-on experiments involving rocketry and drones. The week culminates in designing and building your own flying machine!

“When will we use this?”  Have you ever wondered why you need to know the math you learn in school?  In this class, we will explore some of the fascinating and important ways real people use math in their professions.  We will learn how mathematicians model real-life situations, looking at everything from climate change to wildlife population management to map-making to earthquake preparation.  Learn how the Greeks used math to figure out the circumference of the earth over 2000 years ago, or figure out where Sound Transit should locate their stations to best serve the most people.  At the same time, we will see how everyone, even people who don’t use math in their jobs, rely on math for everything from cooking to money-management. 

Do you have an interest in other worlds and technologies? Do you enjoy fiction that makes you ponder, "What if ...?" In this course, students will read works of science fiction and fantasy to understand how the two genres differ and where they overlap. Using these texts as models, students will create a fantastical realm, develop the characters that inhabit these unique worlds, and consider plot lines that invite the reader on an adventure propelled by the question: What if ...?

What do angles have to do with it? You might be surprised to learn that your favorite sport is all about ... math and physics. Yes, physical strength and agility do play a role, but the best athletes know their angles, literally. Top athletes train and learn the stats regarding angles and the basics of science, whether that is ice friction, velocity of the ball, or parabola of a winning shot. Take your game (whichever one it is) to the next level by learning the math and science behind sports!

Have you ever wondered what type of tree is in your backyard? Or which bird is waking you up before your alarm every morning? Although it’s not what often comes to mind when we think of 'nature,' the urban environment of Seattle is indeed a robust ecosystem full of diverse critters that live among us. In this course, we will explore the Lakeside campus and nearby parks and neighborhoods to learn about native plants, birds, mammals, amphibians, invertebrates, and fungi. Throughout the course, you will be able to design and conduct your own ecological investigations of how these organisms interact with each other, the environment, and humans. We will develop our species identification and natural observation skills to help us better understand the living systems we belong to so we can ensure our coexistence with the other species that call Seattle home.  

Learn how to design, create, and share content on your own web pages, with basic HTML elements like headings, paragraphs, images, and style with CSS.  Practice valuable programming skills such as debugging, using design resources and learn how to express yourself on the Internet. By the end of the week, students will have built their own unique webpages!

Ever want to be a DJ? Do you find yourself dreaming up tunes and beats? In this class, you will learn the basics of music production and editing using Audacity, a digital audio workstation. Our week will culminate with a class party (dancing optional), in which we share our musical creations.

Through chef demonstrations and hands-on cooking, you’ll learn a variety of cooking skills. We will discuss basic cooking methods and tips, ingredient selection, and plating techniques. Around the world you will go, having fun while learning to cook the fresh, exciting flavors of Asia; iconic cuisines of the Americas; and the aromatic flavors found throughout the Mediterranean. Our cooking boot camp will culminate in a friendly group “top chef” competition on the final day of our journey!

Work in teams to build and program LEGO Mindstorms robots! Robots will use motors and sensors to drive around the room, navigate obstacles, and compete in a tournament at the end of the week. No prior building or programming experience required.

Learn to think like an engineer and spend some time playing with equipment from the Lakeside Makerspace!  You will use building materials such as craft sticks, corks, cardboard, dowels, hot glue and duct tape to engineer structures for friendly competitions. You will also learn to use Makerspace tools such as our laser cutter and 3D printer. All skill and experience levels are welcome!

Come play with us as we learn and stage songs from classic musicals! We’ll work on healthy singing technique, as well as basic acting and staging. There will be opportunities to audition for solos and smaller ensembles for students for that are interested. At the end of each week we’ll put on a camp-wide performance! No previous singing experience is required.

If you can dream it, you can make it! Students will explore the world of sculpture through clay, paper, wire and felt. Students will have fun while learning different sculpture techniques and mediums. They will create a variety of 3D art projects such as reliefs, animals, food, vessels, and more!

This afternoon activity includes a variety of sports and games that allow campers to improve fitness, enjoy the outdoors, learn new skills, practice teamwork, and have fun! In addition to field sports like flag football, soccer, and softball, campers will also move through martial arts and yoga stations taught by professional instructors. Join us in the afternoons for fitness and fun!

Use words to express yourself and tell your story! In this class, we will explore various forms of written expression--short stories, poetry, spoken word, and more--to inspire us and help us find our own voices. Using a writing workshop format, students will work in small groups, pairs, and one-on-one with the teacher to hone their craft.

What does it take to solve a crime? Put your skills to the test to see if you can figure out who did it. Learn how to determine the blood type of a blood sample, analyze fingerprints left at the scene, examine hair and fiber samples, learn about DNA, and study bones. Assemble your evidence by the end of the week to identify the culprit.

Learn how to code animations, interactive art, and games! Start with simple shapes and build up to more sophisticated sprite-based games, using the same programming concepts and the design process computer scientists use daily. You will complete a personalized, interactive program that you can share on the Internet.

Do you look just like the rest of your family or very different? Have you ever wondered why people have the traits that they do? Take an active role in learning about DNA and genetics in this hands-on course. Throughout the week students will explore what genes do and how they work. By the end of the week students will apply their knowledge to create the genome of their own fictional creature.

Washington state is well known for its temperate rainforests, but below the quiet beauty of its majestic trees lies a boiling cauldron. Of the 20 volcanoes in the lower 48 states, Washington is home to five of them in its Cascade Mountain Range. In this class, you will learn about what plate tectonics have to do with the volcanoes on the West Coast and the infamous "Ring of Fire" as well as how to identify the types of volcanoes and the major hazards associated with eruptions, including lahars. The week will culminate with students making their own erupting volcano.

Following the path of Greek mathematicians and Middle Eastern scholars, students in this course will hear historical stories and create original works of geometric art. Topics for research and learning may include History of the Circle, Mandalas, parabolic curves, working with a compass, Fibonacci's Golden Ratio, civil design/city planning, and religious architecture.

From Op Art to Pop Art, students will explore various artistic genres, create optical illusions, design an original logo brand, and review advertising campaigns. Skills include creating with color, shape, line, compass, kinetic energy, design concepts, and constructive critiques.

One of the easiest languages to read and understand, learning Python can lead to careers in web development, artificial intelligence, data science, game development, and more.  Progress from making simple text-based console programs to building complex games and apps with full graphics and sound.

From microscopic copepods to underwater forests and massive sharks, the marine environment is teeming with impressive organisms, ecosystems, and phenomena to investigate. During this introductory marine biology course, we will learn about the diversity of marine ecosystems on Earth before we conduct a more in-depth examination of our local Puget Sound. We’ll use microscopes to take a close look at live plankton samples and then learn about the mollusks, crustaceans, worms, algae, cnidarians, birds, mammals, and echinoderms we’re most likely to encounter here on our beaches. We will also address some of the conservation issues that most impact our waters and, at the end of the week (COVID-safety permitting), we will visit the intertidal to observe and actually meet some of our favorite local marine species!

Enjoy math? Do you like to play with numbers?  In this class, you will explore many areas of mathematics by solving puzzles and playing games.  Some of these puzzles will be activities you can do on your own – great amusements to keep you enthralled for hours on a rainy day. Most, however, will be interactive, hands-on games that you and your classmates will play together.  Build your math and logic skills while you explore great math puzzles and games, some which have stumped people for generations and others which are completely new inventions.  Join us for some puzzle-solving fun!

In describing mathematics, Richard Feynman once wrote, “If you want to learn about nature, to appreciate nature, it is necessary to understand the language that she speaks in.” In this course we will unpack some of the visual patterns to be found in mathematics and nature and use these to create two- and three-dimensional artwork. From Celtic Knots to Escher’s famous tessellations we will use patterns and designs to create eye-pleasing artwork as well as explore two- and three-point perspectives to imitate the illusion of the third dimension on paper.  We will turn post-it notes and playing cards into platonic solids and explore the delicate art of origami. We will also look at the Fibonacci Sequence as it applies to the fundamental rules of nature.

Learn the basic skills necessary to develop and deploy mobile applications. This course builds on the Unity3D platform to enable students to design games for the most popular mobile game engine, build touch screen-based user interfaces, and extend those designs for both virtual and augmented reality.

Have you ever wondered how roller coasters stay on their tracks? Or why you stick to the wall in a Gravitron ride? Learn about Newton’s laws of motion, centripetal force, kinetic energy, and much more in this fun, physics-filled course. Study bumper cars, carousels, and roller coasters to learn about the laws of physics. Students not only learn about how rides work but also design and build a model of an original amusement park ride! During the design of the model, students encounter many of the same issues that real-world engineers address.

Take your learning to new heights by exploring the science behind flight. Learn the elementary principles of flight such as lift, weight, thrust, drag, and Bernoulli’s Principle. Then apply your knowledge to hands-on experiments involving rocketry and drones. The week culminates in designing and building your own flying machine!

“When will we use this?”  Have you ever wondered why you need to know the math you learn in school?  In this class, we will explore some of the fascinating and important ways real people use math in their professions.  We will learn how mathematicians model real-life situations, looking at everything from climate change to wildlife population management to map-making to earthquake preparation.  Learn how the Greeks used math to figure out the circumference of the earth over 2000 years ago, or figure out where Sound Transit should locate their stations to best serve the most people.  At the same time, we will see how everyone, even people who don’t use math in their jobs, rely on math for everything from cooking to money-management. 

Do you have an interest in other worlds and technologies? Do you enjoy fiction that makes you ponder, "What if ...?" In this course, students will read works of science fiction and fantasy to understand how the two genres differ and where they overlap. Using these texts as models, students will create a fantastical realm, develop the characters that inhabit these unique worlds, and consider plot lines that invite the reader on an adventure propelled by the question: What if ...?

What do angles have to do with it? You might be surprised to learn that your favorite sport is all about ... math and physics. Yes, physical strength and agility do play a role, but the best athletes know their angles, literally. Top athletes train and learn the stats regarding angles and the basics of science, whether that is ice friction, velocity of the ball, or parabola of a winning shot. Take your game (whichever one it is) to the next level by learning the math and science behind sports!

You may think of a professional mathematician as a pensive individual seated at their desk or standing over a board covered in complex mathematical symbols. In reality, everyone can think like a mathematician, as long as they are open to conjecture, exploration, ambiguity, and the formation of new ideas and connections.  Thinking like a Mathematician revisits elementary mathematical ideas through a new lens, not as formulas to remember but as naturally occurring truths which are all around us in the world.  This inquiry-based course will explore puzzling pictures, perplexing patterns, and powerful propositions. Come join us for some mathematical fun and discovery!

Have you ever wondered what type of tree is in your backyard? Or which bird is waking you up before your alarm every morning? Although it’s not what often comes to mind when we think of 'nature,' the urban environment of Seattle is indeed a robust ecosystem full of diverse critters that live among us. In this course, we will explore the Lakeside campus and nearby parks and neighborhoods to learn about native plants, birds, mammals, amphibians, invertebrates, and fungi. Throughout the course, you will be able to design and conduct your own ecological investigations of how these organisms interact with each other, the environment, and humans. We will develop our species identification and natural observation skills to help us better understand the living systems we belong to so we can ensure our coexistence with the other species that call Seattle home.  

Learn how to design, create, and share content on your own web pages, with basic HTML elements like headings, paragraphs, images, and style with CSS.  Practice valuable programming skills such as debugging, using design resources and learn how to express yourself on the Internet. By the end of the week, students will have built their own unique webpages!

Ever want to be a DJ? Do you find yourself dreaming up tunes and beats? In this class, you will learn the basics of music production and editing using Audacity, a digital audio workstation. Our week will culminate with a class party (dancing optional), in which we share our musical creations.

Through chef demonstrations and hands-on cooking, you’ll learn a variety of cooking skills. We will discuss basic cooking methods and tips, ingredient selection, and plating techniques. Around the world you will go, having fun while learning to cook the fresh, exciting flavors of Asia; iconic cuisines of the Americas; and the aromatic flavors found throughout the Mediterranean. Our cooking boot camp will culminate in a friendly group “top chef” competition on the final day of our journey!

Work in teams to build and program LEGO Mindstorms robots! Robots will use motors and sensors to drive around the room, navigate obstacles, and compete in a tournament at the end of the week. No prior building or programming experience required.

Learn to think like an engineer and spend some time playing with equipment from the Lakeside Makerspace!  You will use building materials such as craft sticks, corks, cardboard, dowels, hot glue and duct tape to engineer structures for friendly competitions. You will also learn to use Makerspace tools such as our laser cutter and 3D printer. All skill and experience levels are welcome!

Come play with us as we learn and stage songs from classic musicals! We’ll work on healthy singing technique, as well as basic acting and staging. There will be opportunities to audition for solos and smaller ensembles for students for that are interested. At the end of each week we’ll put on a camp-wide performance! No previous singing experience is required.

Color is such an exciting way to explore one’s creativity! Over the course of this week, students will learn the concepts of color mixing, color theory, and brush techniques. Painting both from observation and from their imaginations, students will explore multiple forms of media and complete a variety of fun projects. All levels of experience are welcome.

Students will explore and discover figurative art, self-portraits, and the written word to understand and communicate who they are. Possible creative projects may include life map, auto-biography, poetry, proportion, and human anatomy. We may cover skills such as collage, composition, rhythm, and pattern to culminate in an original large-scale work of art by the end of the week. All skill levels are welcome!

This afternoon activity includes a variety of sports and games that allow campers to improve fitness, enjoy the outdoors, learn new skills, practice teamwork, and have fun! In addition to field sports like flag football, soccer, and softball, campers will also move through martial arts and yoga stations taught by professional instructors. Join us in the afternoons for fitness and fun!