Orono Community Education

Africa is full of amazing things! Join us for a week of learning all about the people, languages, animals and beautiful African landscape through stories, activities and videos. Some of the fun things we will do this week include exploring Egypt and the pyramids and learning to read hieroglyphics. Create African-inspired art as you learn about some of the African people and their customs. Go on a safari and learn about the animals that live in the Serengeti.

Many of our greatest technological advancements started in an ancient civilization. Whether it be the intricacies of building a pyramid, early ways of communication or methods to transport water, there are fascinating inventions that are absolutely amazing. Take a trip with us to a simple time that was anything but simple.

Your local community is going to open an animal shelter and they’ve asked for your assistance. These shelters play a crucial role in communities as they care for animals. We will pick a service project to support a local shelter or humane society. There will be cats, dogs and even some surprises. Are you up for the challenge?

How will students react when they find out that their principal wants to turn the school into a zoo? These wild animals will become a part of your everyday routine. The office will become an aquarium, the library a swamp and the gym is for the birds. School will still be a school, but there will definitely be some new residents attending.

Dive into comic book drawing, writing and planning. We’ll analyze and read comic books while planning and drafting our own. We will learn from professional comic illustrators and graphic novelists to improve our craft! Fans of Marvel and DC Comics will enjoy learning about their favorite comic book characters.

Apply math skills in fractions, conversions and more related to cooking. Strengthen your knowledge of math concepts through measurements, timing and purchasing. We will make snacks and beverages while doing fun math-related activities.

Here is your mission - should you choose to accept it! We will start with some of our favorite mystery stories. Use your critical thinking skills to crack codes and solve mysteries.

Young paleontologists will love the hands on, engaging activities included in this adventure. Go on a dinosaur dig, create fossils, learn and write about dinosaurs and create your own dinosaur museum.

A new, untouched island has been found. Compete to be the group to colonize the island. Create an island that is desirable to live on with a small carbon footprint. Students will perform calculations and choose what type of agriculture they will use for 1,000 citizens. They will also create a map that serves as an island blueprint.

Before the digital age, board games were a common form of entertainment. Play various board games to learn about strategy including Battleship, Monopoly, Life, Clue and Risk. Set your phone aside and join us for two days of fun.

We will explore the continents of Africa, Antarctica and Asia and some of the countries within. What are the land forms like and what animals will we find? Broaden your understanding of the world through literacy and geography.

Throughout history, people have shown extraordinary bravery and resilience when faced with life and death scenarios. Join us as we examine the amazing survival tales of John McCain, Ernest Shackleton, Captain James Riley and Tommy Caldwell.

Pack your bags for a rainforest expedition. From our trip planning to our time in the rainforest to study the animals, we will cover it all. We will write about our adventures to share with family and friends.

Students will take a journey through many writing genres. We will delve into a variety of books written in different styles and learn the elements of these genres. Students will create and publish their own work.