Explorer Career Academies

Explorer Academy courses offer middle school age students innovative, academically enriched, hands-on opportunities to explore subjects not ordinarily found in the traditional school curriculum. Each class features a variety of teaching strategies to help students think critically and creatively, and inspires them to investigate post-secondary career options, discover and develop special talents and interests, and acquire skills needed for future success.

WhoDunit? Introduction to Chemical Forensics   
Think you want to be a Crime Scene Investigator (CSI)? Do you want to learn about some of the methods that Investigators use to solve crimes? In this exciting, week-long workshop for seventh, eighth and ninth graders, we will work through several types of crime scene scenarios and use a real chemistry laboratory to help us find out who the “criminals” are. Activities will include Gunshot Residue Detection, shoe print casting, fingerprint identification, unknown liquid identification, and hair sample comparisons. Let Lewis and Clark chemistry professor Joe Wilson help you discover your inner CSI Agent!

Monday-Friday, June 18-22, 1:00PM - 4:00PM
CECK-803-00     $159
Godfrey Campus, SCI 220 & 227
Joe Wilson, instructor

Computer Systems Technology    
Everyone uses computers these days, but what is it that makes them so amazing? If you want to know how computers work and about the technology “inside the box,” then this hands-on workshop is for you. Under the guidance of computer network and system technology instructors Joe Wilson and Barry Peuterbaugh, kids entering seventh, eighth and ninth grades will work with various hardware components that make a personal computer work as well as install and configure an operating system and utilities. We’ll explore the tools and technology that allow computers to connect to each other as well as to the Internet. And the best part of all? You get to take home the computer that you learned about and configured yourself!

Monday-Friday, July 9-13, 1:00PM - 3:30PM
CECK-972-W1     $129
N.O. Nelson Campus, Edwardsville, N3 104
Joe Wilson, instructor

Monday-Friday, June 25-29, 1:00PM - 3:30PM
CECK-972-01     $129
Godfrey Campus, TR 171
Barry Peuterbaugh, instructor

Comic Book Heroes   
Lately it seems that superheroes have been exploding out of our TV screens and bursting into movie theaters almost non-stop! But in this class, we'll turn the focus back on the comics themselves that are the root of these great adventures. We'll talk about how comics combine words and pictures to tell stories, we'll discuss what makes a really great hero, and of course we'll read some really great comics! Let comics expert and Lewis and Clark English instructor Steve Higgins help you discover the adventures of the many different kinds of heroes found in the pages of comic books. This course is for students entering the seventh, eighth and ninth grades.

Monday-Friday, June 18-22, 1:00PM - 4:00PM
CECK-810-01     $129
Godfrey Campus, room TBA
Steve Higgins, instructor

Exploration of Architecture I 
What can we learn about people by looking at the outside of buildings? How do the buildings around us reflect the ways we live? what tools do architects use to design great buildings? Come learn about the "built" environment around us with architectural engineering designer and Lewis & Clark drafting/CAD instructor Joel Hall in this hands-on workshop! Study great buildings designed by famous architects and learn about the history of architecture. Visit interesting local architectural structures on short field trips and examine the significance of architecture in your neighborhoods and towns. Practice your design skills with new sketching and technical drawing techniques, then apply what you've learned at the computer using AutoCAD software. This class is for students entering the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades.

Monday-Friday, July 9-13, 9:00AM - 3:00PM
CECK-805-01     $179
Godfrey Campus, Trimpe 126
Joel Hall, instructor

Exploration of Architecture II    
Continue to explore the built environment around you by building scale models from wood, foam board and other materials. This second class in the exploration of architecture focuses more on the specifics of design and detailing of architectural environments. The use of various building materials is examined along with specific site selection. Additional “great buildings” are discussed and used as inspiration for ideas involving the design of a unique personal space. Practice your design skills with sketching and technical drawing techniques, then apply what you've learned at the computer using AutoDesk REVIT 3D software. This class is for students entering the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades.

Monday-Friday, July 30 - Aug 3, 9:00AM - 3:00PM
CECK-806-01     $179
Godfrey Campus, Trimpe 126
Joel Hall, instructor

Science Through Sport
Optimizing athletic performance is what sports science is all about. It’s a combination of physiology, psychology, nutrition, biomechanics, physics, and specialized training techniques enabling athletes to run faster, jump higher, react quicker, and withstand fatigue longer. Learn the importance of physical training as well as how to "get your head in the game" for optimal performance for competitive as well as recreational sports. Students going into seventh, eighth, and ninth grades will learn the basics from L&C exercise science program coordinator, youth coach, and personal trainer Shane Callahan and apply what they learn on the field in their favorite sport.

Monday-Friday, June 11-15, 9:00AM - 12:00PM
CECK-801-01     $149
Godfrey Campus, RA 206
Shane Callahan, instructor

Dr. Dailey's Amazing World of Insects  
tLearn about the science of Entomology (the study of insects) from noted biologist and Lewis and Clark professor Patrick Dailey. You'll spend time in the field and in the lab as you learn how to collect, identify, label, pin and store local insects for study and display. Collections prepared by middle school students may be able to be used in high school biology courses that require students to make collections for lab credit. Wear long pants to prevent scratches and poison ivy, and bring a lunch and drink each day. For ages 13 and up.

Wednesday-Friday, Aug 1-3, 9:00AM - 3:00PM
CECK 808-01    $139
Godfrey Campus, Science Bldg TBA
Dr. Patrick Dailey, instructor