Applications Open! Enroll for Summer 2027 at 2026 Tuition Pricing Until Sept 30
Test rockets and code an animated science experiment in this 3-week program for elementary school students at Fairfield University.
Course Description
Can the steps in an experiment work like instructions for a computer? Students explore that connection by building a paper rocket, planning a fair test and collecting data. Then they turn the same ideas about steps and variables into an algorithm and begin coding in Scratch.
New investigations bring a different science challenge and a new coding skill. Students test hovercrafts on different surfaces, build paddle boats to study force and motion, use a chemical reaction to inflate a balloon and compare bubble solutions. Along the way, they create sprites, scrolling backgrounds, timers, platform games and chase games.
For the capstone, each student chooses an experiment and turns it into an animated Scratch story. A storyboard guides the project, while custom sprites, changing backgrounds, speech or sound and code blocks bring the scientific method to life. Students share the final animation and explain their choices.
This three-week course is part of Summer Discovery’s Institute for the Gifted program on Fairfield University’s campus. The course is available to commuter students. Beyond class, students connect engaging academic exploration with a welcoming campus community, growing confidence, and curiosity students can carry into what they explore next.
What Will You Do?
• Build paper rockets and test how changing one variable affects flight
• Construct hovercrafts and paddle boats, then record and graph the results
• Use chemical reactions, bubble tests and rain-garden models to investigate science
• Create Scratch sprites, timers, scrolling backgrounds and several types of games
• Plan an experiment animation with a storyboard and custom artwork
• Code and present a capstone animation that demonstrates the scientific method
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
• Apply the scientific method to a hands-on experiment and explain the results
• Build a simple Scratch project using algorithms, variables, sprites and backgrounds
• Design and present an animation that communicates an experiment clearly
Students will leave with a course completion certificate, several Scratch projects and an original animated science capstone that brings together their curiosity, creativity and new coding skills.
Why Science and Coding Skills Matter
Science and coding both begin with clear questions and careful steps. A scientist changes one variable, measures what happens and uses the results to form a conclusion. A coder builds an algorithm, tests it and revises the instructions when the program does not behave as expected.
Moving between experiments and Scratch helps students see that mistakes are useful information. They practice predicting, measuring, organizing data, sequencing instructions and improving an idea. Those habits support problem solving across science, mathematics, technology and everyday challenges.
Who Should Attend?
This course is for elementary school students who have completed 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade and like asking questions, building things, trying experiments, or creating on a computer. It is a strong fit for children who enjoy solving problems and seeing an idea become a working project.
Students should be ready to follow experiment procedures, take turns with materials, work through coding challenges, and share a finished project. The course uses visual, block-based Scratch tools and guided activities so students can focus on ideas and problem solving while building technical confidence step by step.
Why Fairfield University?
Fairfield gives elementary students a fun and welcoming first taste of campus life in a coastal Connecticut town along Long Island Sound. The day includes hands-on classes, outdoor courtyard time, shared meals, and opportunities to make friends in a setting that feels active without feeling overwhelming.
The commuter-only Institute for the Gifted has operated at Fairfield for more than two decades. Students try new challenges and build confidence within a clear, structured program day. For families, Fairfield offers an age-appropriate combination of learning, creativity, friendship, routine, and support. Students get the fun of a summer program and the satisfaction of discovering what they can make, solve, and explore next.
Summer Discovery Certificate of Completion
After successfully finishing this course, you will be awarded a certification of completion for your accomplishment.
*This is a preview, not what you will receive