STEP -
Summer STudies Enrichment Program

STEP offers students entering Grades 6-9 the chance to keep their academic skills fresh and further develop foundational skills (writing, math, critical thinking, etc.), while exploring new and fun interests and topics in one-week sessions!
Campers are taught by dynamic teachers, including school-year Sidwell Friends School instructors, and supported by counselors who share campers’ passion for learning.

During each week, participants will attend four workshops, which they will select at the time of registration. Two workshops will meet daily in the mornings for 75 minutes each, and two workshops will meet daily in the afternoons for 55 minutes each.

Dates, Hours, and Fees

STEP Weekly Schedule

*You select your workshops during the registration process. Once registered, if you would like to change a workshop you would email summer@sidwell.edu.

2024 Weekly Workshop Descriptions

• Adventures in Math History: Students will delve into topics in the history of mathematics from all around the ancient world: China, India, Mesopotamia, the Mediterranean, the Americas, and more. We will take a hands-on approach, solving the same issues that ancient civilizations were solving: surveying, looking at the sky, figuring out how to make sense of numbers, and making connections between pure and applied mathematics--just like they did! We will also look at how these ideas and applications stretched over time into the mathematics of today. Led by a former Sidwell Friends School Upper School Math teacher, this workshop is open to all mathematical levels, with challenges and explorations for everyone. NOTE: Each week will cover different content; students can enroll in this workshop for multiple weeks. (Weeks of July 8 and 15)

• Art: China and Japan: Students will explore Chinese and Japanese art and culture through drawing, painting, and sculpture. They will learn about bamboo painting techniques, the history of anime, and traditional Chinese and Japanese painting schools. Students will learn professional art techniques and use of different art materials. This workshop is taught by the artistic director of Artichoke Art Studio. (Week of July 15)

• Art: Eastern Europe: Students will explore Eastern European art and culture through drawing, painting, and sculpture. They will learn about the folklore and art of Bulgaria, Ukraine, and Poland, as well as the traditional decoration of houses and costume design. Students will learn professional art techniques and use of different art materials. This workshop is taught by the artistic director of Artichoke Art Studio. (Week of July 29)

• Art: Mexico, Peru, Bolivia: Students will explore Mexican, Peruvian, and Bolivian art and culture through drawing, painting, and sculpture. They will learn about alebrijes and Frida Kahlo, as well as ancient Aztec and Mayan civilizations and artwork. Students will learn professional art techniques and use of different art materials. This workshop is taught by the artistic director of Artichoke Art Studio. (Week of July 22)

• Art: Pastels and Watercolors: From landscape to animal, students will learn how to transfer what they see into what they draw. Students will use pastels and watercolors to get in touch with their creative sides while exploring observation-based drawing. This workshop is taught by the director of the Stephanie Chang Studio. (Week of July 8)

• Board Game Design: In this workshop, students will have access to a range of strategy- and luck-based board and card games. In addition to having time for guided and free play of these games, they will have the option to create their own games, rules, and game pieces using provided materials. (Weeks of July 15 and 22) 

• Building New Perspectives: Developing the ability to adopt new perspectives is key to navigating our surroundings. It increases our agency at school, at home, and eventually at work. This workshop series, facilitated by an ICF Master Certified Coach, will use conversation and small, curated LEGO® sets to help students lay foundations for new habits of mind that will expand their range of thoughts and actions. Curious students who excel at listening to peers and advocating their own ideas will come together to consider real-life ethical problems. As individuals and as a group, students will build LEGO® models to help construct unfamiliar perspectives that offer new avenues for cooperation and growth. Note: Each week focused on a different skill; students can enroll in this workshop for multiple weeks. 

• Week of July 8: Dismantling Assumptions

• Week of July 15: Navigating Competing Commitments

• Week of July 22: Growing from Conflict

• Week of July 29: Becoming Future You

• Chinese Culture: This workshop, taught by a Sidwell Friends School Chinese teacher, will incorporate a mix of cultural activities that will vary by day and will include a Chinese tea ceremony, writing simple Chinese poems in calligraphy, learning tai chi, and playing Chinese games, such as Chinese chess and mahjong. No Chinese language skills are required; if desired, though, participants can make use of prior Chinese language skills and/or learn a few simple but useful phrases. If the group shows collective interest, the workshop can include a short introduction to the Chinese language system. (Weeks of July 15 and 22)

• Comics Making: Bring your ideas and imagination to this Comics Making workshop. Students will learn to set up a visual story, use frames and layout, and develop characters and dialogue. They will review examples of existing works in the form of single-panel comics, comic strips, comic books, and graphic novels. No experience needed! This workshop will be taught by a professional comics artist and illustrator. (Week of July 8)

• Cooking 101: Cooking Around the World: This cooking class, taught by the founder of a cooking school, will teach students about international cultures through food, while also putting students on the path to self-sufficiency in the kitchen. Each week will explore a different region's culinary traditions, as we make dishes that tell us about places, history, and their traditions. NOTE: Each week focuses on similar skills, but recipes differ; students can enroll in this workshop for multiple weeks. Also, this workshop is a double block; to enroll in cooking, please register for Cooking 101 for Workshops C and D.

• Week of July 8: European cooking

• Week of July 15: East Asian cooking

• Week of July 22: Middle Eastern cooking

• Cryptography: Secret messages have fascinated people for thousands of years. We’ll look at some examples from history and literature, take part in encryption and decryption of messages, and generally look to have fun. Taught by a Sidwell Friends School Math teacher, this workshop will use language and concepts from mathematics as a basis for understanding various ciphers, but the course should be accessible to any students with a solid grounding in arithmetic. NOTE: Workshop content will repeat, so students should only enroll once. (Weeks of July 22 and 29)

• Fantasy Role-Playing Games: Come play and create with us! We’ll have fun at the intersection of storytelling, gaming, and acting. Whether you’re experienced with running games of your own, a novice of just a few encounters, or a complete newbie to the world of table-top RPGs, we’d love to have you join us! (Weeks of July 8, 15, 22, and 29)

• Flash Fiction:This fascinating workshop focuses on creating fictional stories that are extremely brief, from the shockingly short six-word stories up to just 100 words (just 1-2 paragraphs.) You’ll get to experiment with different genres, such as sci fi, memoir, and even ghost stories, if you’re feeling brave. You’ll learn the importance of vivid imagery, deep characterization, and surprise endings. Practicing flash helps rid you of writer’s block; unleash your imagination; edit like a pro, and make every word count. Learning to say a lot with few words is not just a fun challenge, but a skill that will serve you well throughout life.  (Week of July 22)

• History of the Olympic Games: The modern Olympic Games are perhaps the most watched and widely recognized sports event in world history. For more than 120 years, the Olympic Games have brought countries together from around the world. Many believe the Olympics to be a purely athletic competition, but this is a major misconception! Starting from the Olympics’ reboot in 1896, join a Sidwell Friends School Upper School History teacher to explore how the games became an international venue that brought together politics, gender, race, and athletics. Learn about the history of the modern Olympics Games; the triumphs, the setbacks, the moments that changed history!  NOTE: Students can enroll for multiple weeks; content will vary by week. Students should not enroll twice in the same week. (Week of July 15)

• Improv Basics: Got Game? Like to play games and have fun? Then this is the class for you. You’ll get to play theater games, story games, musical games, guessing games, gibberish games, and more while practicing improv. You’ll learn to trust and support your fellow teammates, build scenes together out of thin air, and think fast on your feet. Improv boosts your confidence, imagination, teamwork, creativity, and communication skills. You’ll even have the chance to test drive your new improv skills by performing a few games together as a troupe at the Friday showcase! Join us and learn how to “Yes, and—” your way through life! (Weeks of July 8, 15, 22, and 29)

• Movement: Olympic Games: In honor of this summer’s Olympic Games, get active with this low-stress, high-fun physical movement workshop. Think four square, speed walking, relay races, Spikeball, and more! (Weeks of July 8, 22, and 29)

• Public Speaking Made Easy: This class was designed to be both fun and easy, teaching tips and strategies for not only becoming a better public speaker, but also for coping with nerves. Learn how to use your voice, body language, and gestures to convey your message powerfully. This class can help you build your confidence, improve your critical thinking skills, develop your leadership skills, and advocate for topics you care about—all while enjoying yourself. (Weeks of July 15 and 29)

• Storytelling: This hands-on, highly interactive first-person storytelling class will show students how to turn their unique life experiences into compelling true stories. There are no lectures. Students will learn the ancient art of storytelling by diving into dynamic activities, imaginative games, and explorative exercises--all designed to help them discover and develop interesting story material from their own lives. The instructor, a renowned DC story coach, will teach students tools and tips for sharing their stories in relatable, meaningful ways—ways that will enable them to make genuine, human connections with their listeners. Students will have the chance to put their new story skills into action on Friday afternoon, when Storytelling students will perform their stories in front of their STEP peers in a final (optional) showcase! (Weeks of July 8, 15, 22, and 29)

• Writing for Social Justice: In this course, taught by the founder of Change the Narrative, which works to further antiracism, students will examine the lives of inspiring young people---such as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and The Sunrise Movement--who fought, and fight, for positive social change. Through looking at a variety of art forms, including music and writing, students will learn about ways that creativity fuels activism and moves people. Students will have opportunities to further develop their own writing, and voice, around social justice issues that they are passionate about.  NOTE: This workshop is offered during Workshops A & B; students should only enroll in one session. (Week of July 22)