Orono Community Education

Unlock your creativity in this architectural LEGO® class! Learn 3D design principles and math skills through building structures, towers, castles, and more. Work in pairs to explore concepts like scale, stacking vs. staggering bricks, and architectural fundamentals while constructing houses with removable roofs, castles with turrets, and mighty towers.

Learn the basics of 3D modeling and printing using Tinkercad, designing custom parts for your very own robots. Build two DC-powered robots: a sketchbot and drive bot. Students should be comfortable using a laptop and mouse.

This interactive camp is for young thespians interested in performing on stage. The camp will include an introduction to theater games and activities, popular musical theater songs and short scenes. Students will learn to act, sing and dance as well as participate in making their own prop pieces for the show. A half-hour performance will take place on Thursday.

Advantage Educational Programs gives students the option of preparing for the ACT exam in two different ways: in-person or online. Both courses are designed for students who want to maximize their ACT exam score, as well as those who feel uneasy about their test-taking skills, or those who have taken the exam and aren’t satisfied with their results. The course includes diagnostic testing, instruction in time management, overcoming test anxiety, science reasoning, English strategies and review, essay writing, reading comprehension, math strategies, and review. Please bring notebook paper, pencils, calculator and a small 3-ring binder or folder to class. Students enrolled in these classes not only benefit from personal instruction provided by our experienced instructors, but also have free access to our online course. For more information, call Advantage Education Programs at 612-222-5108. Any students who are registering as repeat students who have previously paid should register for the self-paced virtual class at no charge.

This course is an excellent alternative for any student unable to attend an in-person class, but still prefers the interaction with an instructor. The live virtual ACT prep course is the same as the in-person ACT course, but from the comfort of your own home. Our instructors teach live via Zoom and are available to answer questions if needed. You will need an internet connection and a computer/tablet/smart phone. Instruction for all areas tested will be provided with focal points on diagnostic testing, science reasoning, math review and strategies, reading comprehension improvement, English strategies, writing essays, overcoming test anxiety and time management. Please have notebook paper, pencils and a calculator available. Once enrolled, students are sent a link via email for their class. For a complete list of ACT prep class locations, go to www.AdvantagePrep.net or call 612-222-5108.

Register for the self-paced online course and have access and complete preparation for the ACT at your own pace. Register for this section through August 31, 2025. Instruction for all areas tested will be provided with focal points on diagnostic testing, science reasoning, math review and strategies, reading comprehension improvement, English strategies, writing essays, overcoming test anxiety and time management. Please have notebook paper, pencils and a calculator available for class. Students may repeat the course as often as they desire for no additional cost. Once enrolled, students are sent an access code for their class via email and can begin preparing right away. For a complete list of ACT prep class locations, go to www.AdvantagePrep.net or call 612-222-5108. VERY IMPORTANT - you must have a Google account with a @gmail.com email address in order to access the Online ACT Prep Course through Google Classroom. Remember, the Gmail account that you use to join the online course is the ONLY email address that you will be allowed to use during the online course. Please Note - If you have a school-issued email address, even if it is a Gmail address, it is blocked for access to Google Classroom.

Invite budding naturalists to head outside for a walk to spot feathered friends - in the woods, a park, or right in their backyard. Backyard Explorer: Bird Watch leads kids through the basics of birding, from identifying common birds to learning about habitat and listening for bird songs. Includes activity ideas such as building a bird nest, matching games, and simple discovery about food chains/life cycle of birds. Build a wooden birdhouse, gelatin bird feeders and observe the wonders of the world outside with clipboard and working binoculars. Kit available to order through August 1. Kits will be available for pickup at Orono Community Education at Door E24 (705 N. Old Crystal Bay Rd.) beginning May 15. We will send an email reminder about pick-up dates and times.

Can bubbles be different shapes? Why do bubbles pop? Head outside and get bubbling as you explore surface tension with hands-on science, 16 ounces of bubble solution and reusable bubble straws/connectors to make unlimited 2D and 3D geometric wands. Then delight your bubble explorer with giant bubbles big enough to fit in! Kit available to order through August 1. Kits will be available for pickup at Orono Community Education at Door E24 (705 N. Old Crystal Bay Rd.) beginning May 15. We will send an email reminder about pick-up dates and times.

Head outside and get the buzz on bugs! This kit is packed with educational prompts and activities to encourage junior naturalists to spot insects while on a walk in the woods, playing in a park, or searching right outside their front door. Interactive field guides help young seekers identify fliers, crawlers, and pollinators. Project ideas such as Weave a Web or Make a Bug Hotel, and cool bug facts, boost the insect intrigue. Includes a one-handed bug catcher with thumb operated trapping slider and 5x magnification, a perfect companion to catch the fastest specimens in a safe and humane way. Kit available to order through August 1. Kits will be available for pickup at Orono Community Education at Door E24 (705 N. Old Crystal Bay Rd.) beginning May 15. We will send an email reminder about pick-up dates and times.

Explore the fascinating world of honey bees! This kit targets a deeper understanding and appreciation for these remarkable insects and their impact on our ecosystem. National Geographic Kids book with beautiful, engaging, and authentic photos, natural honeycomb, authentic bee pollen, and more support learning and captivate childrens’ intrigue. Kit available to order through August 1. Kits will be available for pickup at Orono Community Education at Door E24 (705 N. Old Crystal Bay Rd.) beginning May 15. We will send an email reminder about pick-up dates and times.

This fun, skill-intensive program is designed for beginning to intermediate players. An active week of passing, shooting, dribbling and rebounding makes this one of our most popular programs. Participants should wear appropriate clothing and bring two snacks and a water bottle.

Where the future of cars is built, one brick at a time! Use LEGO® bricks to design and construct a variety of cars, including wind-powered vehicles, high-performance drag racers, and rubber band propelled cars. You'll be guided through the engineering and design process, learning how to create environmentally friendly and efficient cars.

New curriculum! Recommended for students that have taken Camp Emoji once or twice. Explore your feelings in this interactive camp designed to help students learn about, manage, and identify emotions. Students will engage in skill and community building, movement activities, and art to increase their emotional vocabulary and coping skills.