Middle School Program

Fitness and Nutrition - This program focuses on teaching and implementing healthy lifestyle choices in personal fitness and nutrition. Students will explore safe practices in strength and fitness, as well as smart choices in food selection and preparation. Hands-on experience will be combined with personal coaching to make this program applicable to any student, regardless of athletic experience.

Art and Nature Studio - If we look closely at nature, it reveals all kinds of beautiful secrets in colors, markings, patterns geometry and structure.  We will celebrate nature in a wide range of creative activities from making natural art supplies to creating earth art, looking at art from indigenous cultures like the Australian Desert painters, photography, and creating structures based on animal architecture.

Summer S.T.E.A.M. - STEAM full speed ahead with summer as you challenge your engineering skills with height breaking records and by capturing the hottest of summer temperatures.  Can your structure hold up to the pressure, tension or follow the right path? Put your skills to the test as we STEAM away for a week.

Stained Glass Workshop (THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL) - During this week long program, the students will learn the art of stained glass through a hands-on and interactive workshop. Students will pick designs, cut glass, copper foil, and solder to create beautiful works of art. Incorporated into the practice of stained glass will be discussions on the origins and history of stained glass in order to inspire and appreciate this art form. Famous glass artists, such as L.C. Tiffany, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Dale Chihuly, will also be discussed and their work examined.

Fishing on the Philadelphia Rivers (THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL) - Did you know that there is a famous fountain in downtown Philadelphia that celebrates the 3 major local rivers?  Well, now you have a chance to fish all three!  Throughout the week, students will have the opportunity to bait some hooks or try their lures in the Delaware, Schuylkill, and Wissahickon rivers. Beginner to expert students are welcome.  Must have a cool (or dorky) hat to fish with, enjoy "oldies" music while fishing, and not be afraid of worms.

The Art of the Circle - We will explore this powerful symbol of unity, balance, infinity and strength in a wide range of arts and design projects and activities.  We may experiment with spirographs, spin art, Mandelas, clocks, gears, spheres, working in both 2D and 3D, with a variety of tools and materials. We will look at mysterious crop circles, Tibetan sand paintings, Giotto's perfect circle, and work of contemporary artists and designers from fashion to architecture.

"Round Like a circle in a spiral, like a wheel within a wheel, never ending or beginning on an ever spinning reel, like a snowball down a mountain, or a carnival balloon, like a carousel that's turning running rings around the moon, ..."

Fizz, Bubble, and Pop! THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL - From small fizzing bubbles that overflow to explosions that are 10 feet high, toothpaste big enough for an elephant and rockets that scrape the sky. Hands-on science will lead our adventure as we explore what happens to things when they are under pressure. <Cue Music>

Fun with Spanish - ¡Bienvenidos a todos!  Welcome all! Did you know AIM offered Spanish in the Upper School for the first time this school year? You too can now learn some Spanish through our week-long beginner’s enrichment course. We will be using the TPRS (Total Physical Response Storytelling) method, which involves connecting the language to movement through dramatization. We will also tap into Multiple Intelligences to reach as many children as deeply as possible. This means we will spend our week learning through read alouds with active storytelling, writing, drawing, singing, and dancing. Fun for any level of Spanish learner!

Fitness and Nutrition - This program focuses on teaching and implementing healthy lifestyle choices in personal fitness and nutrition. Students will explore safe practices in strength and fitness, as well as smart choices in food selection and preparation. Hands-on experience will be combined with personal coaching to make this program applicable to any student, regardless of athletic experience.

Improv Comedy Workshop - Improv is the art of making stuff up! No scripts, no lines, no planning: just you and the empty stage. Learn the building blocks of improv agreement, improv games, how to create a character from nothing, how to manipulate invisible objects, and even dip your toes in the waters of putting improvised scenes on their feet! This workshop requires lots of energy and a willingness to play. Students should wear comfortable clothes and shoes for movement.

Food Science - Have you ever been told to stop playing with your food?  Not a day goes by where we don’t have food and water in our lives, and there are so many more uses for food and water in the world of science.  Dive deeper inside everyday foods, create some of your favorite foods and see the endless possibilities of water in this summer science workshop.

Sew Much Fun! (space is limited): Join AIM's very own Dr. Z. to explore the world of sewing!  Tote bags, eyeshades, and clothing are a few of the possible designs this summer.  Design it, make it, decorate it!  This dynamic group will follow the interests of the students, and everyone will get to take home their creations.  Space is limited, so sign up today!

Drexel University Entrepreneurship Experience (open to rising 8th grade only) - This workshop, taught by Drexel University Close School of Entrepreneurship faculty, introduces students to lifelong entrepreneurial skills and mindset, immerses students in a social entrepreneurial project, explores the intersection of the natural environment and entrepreneurship, and interacts with local social entrepreneurs on and off campus. Please note that this workshop requires an additional fee of $150 for students enrolled in AIM’s full-day summer program.

Sports and Games - Spunk! Spirit! SPORTS!  Students will spend their afternoons enjoying competitive and organized “chaos” on our turf field (or in the gym...depending on the weather)!  Each day, students will be divided into "Blue” and “Gold" teams and be introduced to the rules, expectations, and activities for the day! Enjoy high-energy fun, while learning good sportsmanship!  

What Is So Funny? - Can you imagine an entire week focused on what is funny? We will explore the art of puns, gags, comedy sketches, stand up, bits, cartoons, funny commercials, movies, and anything else that makes people laugh. In the process, we will learn how to create a funny premise, create visual puns, and funny characters, and look at how our society uses humor to reach an audience, sell a product, or tell a story.

Robotics and Engineering (THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL) - Calling all creative robot builders, tinkerers, artists, magicians, and tricksters! The Robotics and Engineering session will be a fun filled design and build exercise using EV3 Lego Robotics. We will design build and program robots to compete in friendly competitions. Students will build robots to take on different challenges, like the infamous “Twin Pines Rescue Mission.” Other challenges from the past are “Deliver the Mail” and “Summertime Sumo.” Come join the fun. No experience needed.

Golfing (space is limited) - Unleash your hidden talents playing several different forms of golf throughout the week.  Students will have the chance to show off their drive, putting, and chipping skills while visiting local mini golf courses, driving ranges, chip and puts, and an 18-hole golf course. Beginner to expert student golfers are all welcome.