Press Releases

For Immediate Release: June 13, 2012

Contact: Heather Meaney, (518) 381-1250

From Harry Potter to Having Fun in the Kitchen, SCCC Has Variety of Classes for Children This Summer

Looking for something fun and educational for the kids this summer? Schenectady County Community College offers the following non-credit courses in music, art, creative writing, science and baking.

For more information on the courses, please click here. or call the Office of Workforce Development at (518) 381-1315. To register, please click here.

Musical Theater Workshop for Children (CFN 599-51, 60037)
This course will take place on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 25 through August 3, 2012, from 5 to 7 p.m. Cost: $295
Concentration will be on basic techniques of acting, stage presence, proper singing techniques and vocal independence, and understanding of the theater. The session will end with a performance of a musical play presented by the class. Students must be between 9 to 14 years of age. This course is taught by Christina Pickreign, elementary school music teacher, a soloist throughout the Capital District and Adjunct at SCCC.

Art Exploration for Children (CFN 922-01, 60317)
This course will take place Monday through Friday from July 9 through July 13, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Cost: $150
Students (ages 6-9) will explore art from around the world. Students will draw, paint and construct a variety of artworks inspired by various cultures from around the world. Students are asked to bring a smock or wear clothing suitable to artwork, wear closed toed shoes and bring a snack and water bottle to class. This class is taught by Amy de Soyza, a local artist and art teacher in the Niskayuna School District.

The Art of Surrealism (CFN 923-01, 60318)
This course will take place Monday through Friday from July 16 through July 20, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Cost: $150
Students (ages 11-14) will explore the magic of surrealism through drawing, painting and collage. They will create a variety of drawings and paintings exploring perspective, optical illusions and various surrealist techniques. Students are asked to bring a smock or wear clothing suitable to artwork, wear closed toed shoes and bring a snack and water bottle to class. This class is taught by Amy de Soyza, a local artist and art teacher in the Niskayuna School District.

Creative Writing for Teens (CFN 254-01, 60290)
This course will take place Monday through Friday from July 9 through July 13, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Cost: $50
You're a teenager, and you have a way with words. You spend a big chunk of every day texting, writing on Facebook—and you tweet. But when you put down your smartphone, the world of writing is different. No texting abbreviations in the house, but by the end of the week, you'll have a better handle on what your teachers and colleges expect from you as a writer and thinker. You don't have to give up creativity in order to write well. In fact, you'll discover that the world of correct written expression is more fun than you thought. This course is taught by Marion E. Altieri, the author of "Mairzy Doats," a monthly column on Saratoga.com with a readership of over 45,000. Altieri conducts seminars about horse racing; writes for several international racing magazines and web sites; edits www.saratogaracetrack.com; edits books on the sport; and serves as Editorial Director of Equicurean, a Saratoga-based annual.

Professional Baking for Kids (CFE 341-01, 60057)
This course will take place Monday through Thursday from July 9 through July 12, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Cost: $425
Young chefs (ages 10-13 years) will learn to make such delicacies as giant cowboy cookies, spiral bread, yeasty cinnamon rolls, lady fingers, scones, chocolate raspberry mousse torte, lemon pound cake and starburst Italian bread. The course will focus on measurement, correct sanitation, and mixing methods. Young chefs are asked to bring an apron, closed toed shoes, a water bottle and a bagged lunch. This course is taught by Chef Gail Sokol, an Adjunct in the School of Hotel, Culinary Arts and Tourism at SCCC.

Professional Baking for Kids (CFE 341-02, 60041)
This course will take place Monday through Thursday from July 16 through July 19, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Cost: $425
Young chefs (ages 10-13 years) will learn to make such delicacies as double chocolate scones, strawberry cheesecake, apple pie, chocolate dipped almond macaroons, chocolate cupcakes stuffed with peanut butter, meringue mushrooms, missed berry shortcakes with whipped cream and challah. The course will focus on measurement, correct sanitation, and mixing methods. Young chefs are asked to bring an apron, closed toed shoes, a water bottle and a bagged lunch. This course is taught by Chef Gail Sokol, an Adjunct in the School of Hotel, Culinary Arts and Tourism at SCCC.

Professional Baking for Teens (CFE 354-01, 60099)
This course will take place Monday through Thursday from July 23 through July 26, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Cost: $425
Young chefs (ages 14-17 years) will learn to make such delicacies as banana bonanza muffins, dinner rolls by hand, Danish pastries, double chocolate scones, French bread, rich chocolate cake with French butter cream and giant cowboy cookies. The course will focus on measurement, correct sanitation, and mixing methods. Young chefs are asked to bring an apron, closed toed shoes, a water bottle and a bagged lunch. This course is taught by Chef Gail Sokol, an Adjunct in the School of Hotel, Culinary Arts and Tourism at SCCC.

Hands on Archaeology for Kids (CFN 419-01, 60320)
This course will take place Monday through Friday from July 16 through July 20, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Cost: $250
Students (ages 10-13) will have the opportunity to conduct an archaeological excavation at the historic Mabee Farm, finding both Native American and colonial-period Dutch artifacts. This will include on-site research, analysis of artifacts, and exhibiting their results. Students will learn about archaeological methods, tools and then work with the artifacts found. Students will also develop skills of observation and deduction to fulfill research goals pertaining to the site. Students are asked to bring a water bottle, wear closed toes shoes with socks and to bring a bagged lunch. Long pants are also recommended. This course is taught by Corey McQuinn, an area archaeologist employed by Hartgen Archeological Associates, Inc.

Can You Dig It? (CFN 907-01, 60300)
This course will take place Monday through Friday from August 13 through August 17, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Cost: $150
Archaeology and paleontology seem like big words to kids, but Sciensational Workshops for Kids makes them come alive. Each child will participate in a simulated fossil excavation, uncovering the different bones of a dinosaur. Each child will them assemble the bones to form a completed 3D dinosaur to be taken home. Students will learn to use geological time and fossil charts; make a plaster fossil replica of an ammonite, tyrannosaurus rex tooth or choose from other available molds; and get a chance to identify a 20 million year old shark's tooth. Students will also see other fossil replicas, work with a rock and mineral collection and see and hold a giant pumice rock specimen from Mount St. Helen's. This course is taught by Sciensational Workshops for Kids, Inc., which has offered a science enrichment program for children for 31 years.

Hyper Peppy Robotics (CFN 908-51, 60301)
This course will take place Monday through Thursday from August 13 through August 16, 2012, from 12:45 to 3:45 p.m. Cost: $150
Students (ages 7-12) will build and take home their very own Hyper Peppy Robot. Students will be able to adjust its sensitivity and see firsthand the robot's many gears, circuit board, microphone and easy-to-assemble mechanical drive system. Students will also get to guild other robots as part of a small group. This course is taught by Sciensational Workshops for Kids, Inc., which has offered a science enrichment program for children for 31 years.

Make It and Take It Home (CFN 909-01, 60302)
This course will take place Monday through Friday from August 20 through August 24, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Cost: $150
Students (ages 6-11) will make and take home a wide assortment of toys designed to teach science concepts in a hands-on way. Students will grow and take home a crystal tree, make an energy bead bracelet and watch the beads turn from white to a rainbow of colors and build a working electric motor. Students will also make their own sharpie pen t-shirt and learn some cool chemistry. Students will make their own bubbling blobs; make silly putty and green flubber. Students are asked to bring a 100% cotton t-shirt. This course is taught by Sciensational Workshops for Kids, Inc., which has offered a science enrichment program for children for 31 years.

Harry Potter: A Magical Mystery Science Tour (CFN 910-51, 60303)
This course will take place Monday through Thursday from August 20 through August 23, 2012, from 12:45 to 3:45 p.m. Cost: $150
Students (ages 6- 11) will play quidditch, make an edible wand and brew some fantastic potions to drink. Students will also create and watch some amazing chemical reactions as well watch a mirage appear and make some cool crystals. Wonder where the sorting hat will place you? Come find out. This course is taught by Sciensational Workshops for Kids, Inc., which has offered a science enrichment program for children for 31 years.

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One of the 30 community colleges in the State University of New York system, the nation's largest comprehensive system of higher education, Schenectady County Community College in upstate New York enrolls over 7,000 students. SCCC offers more than 40 career degree, transfer degree and certificate programs. The College opened its doors for classes in 1969 and continues to provide affordable comprehensive higher education and adult educational opportunities in response to local educational needs. To learn more, visit www.sunysccc.edu.