Orono Community Education

Advantage Educational Programs gives students the option of preparing for the ACT exam in two different ways: the in-person ACT Preparatory Course or the online ACT Preparatory Course. 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 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 November 30, 2024. 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 December 1. Kits will be available for pickup at Orono Community Education at Door E24 (705 N. Old Crystal Bay Rd.) beginning October 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 December 1. Kits will be available for pickup at Orono Community Education at Door E24 (705 N. Old Crystal Bay Rd.) beginning October 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 December 1. Kits will be available for pickup at Orono Community Education at Door E24 (705 N. Old Crystal Bay Rd.) beginning October 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 December 1. Kits will be available for pickup at Orono Community Education at Door E24 (705 N. Old Crystal Bay Rd.) beginning October 15. We will send an email reminder about pick-up dates and times.

Park your broom at the door and create something spooktacular! Get messy with paint and clay as you make a black cat, ghost, or jack-o-lantern. Children must be accompanied by a caregiver

Connect with your child during lab-style sensory play that develops beginning social skills and a STEM foundation. Child must be accompanied by a caregiver.

Design and construct your own pinball masterpieces, combining fun and engineering in this hands-on art experience. You’ll also get to design and construct your own kaleidoscope!

If you already have a team, you may register and pay the fee. If you are interested in joining Destination Imagination, but do not have a team yet, you may register with no fee and you will be contacted via email for an informational meeting at a later date. The largest academic team competition in the world! Do something BIG. Destination Imagination is designed to inspire students to use creativity in working through challenges. It is highly encouraged for gifted and talented students! The challenges to choose from fit every interest area: technical, scientific, structural, fine arts, improvisational, service learning. Destination Imagination Facts in a Nutshell! Students in grades K - 12 can participate. Teams choose the challenge they want to work on based on their interests and skills. Teams can have 2 to 7 members and can be boy only, girl only or mixed gender. Teams can be multi-grade but will compete at elementary, middle school and high school levels based on the oldest team member’s age. Teams recruit their own members but Community Education will help spread the word! Each team will set its own meeting schedule and start when they choose but must be ready for the MN Affiliate Tournament. All teams will perform their Team and Instant Challenges that day in person. Each team needs a parent or adult team manager(s). No experience necessary, just willingness to support the kids, learn and have fun! Support and training will be provided. Previous Orono teams have advanced to state and global competition! More information, videos and challenge previews for 2024 - 25 are available at www.idodi.org. If your team is ready to go, encourage parents to register their students so we can purchase your team membership and you can get started! Grades K - 2: $105 Grades 3 - 12: $130 Destination Imagination State Website

Let your imagination run wild as you doodle funny faces, trace mesmerizing patterns, and create adorable animal pals. This class is ideal for young artists looking to explore their creativity and fall head over heels for art!

This class fulfills the 30 hours of classroom driver’s training required by the State of Minnesota. Class will be taught in-person. After completing this course, students must sign up with a commercial driving school and receive a blue card, which they will need before taking their permit test. After passing the permit test, they must take 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction at a cost of approximately $398. Missed classes must be made up in another session. For more information on Driver’s Education and Westonka Driving School, email Rob Illies at westonkadriving@gmail.com, call 952-955-1486 (work), text 952-237-5971 (cell), or go to www.westonkadrivingschool.com. Each day, students should bring a writing utensil and paper.

Go on an epic adventure for all ages and experience levels. Dungeons & Dragons is a timeless roleplaying game that helps kids develop math skills, storytelling, and collaboration skills. Work in small groups to complete this one-shot campaign.

Learn Minecraft circuit-building and engineering concepts using Redstone. During this class, you will also build 2 - 3 electrical contraptions.

Are you ready to get messy with some extreme chemistry experiments? Step into the science lab to solve our mystery challenges. Investigate polymers, density, chemical indicators and more to help solve the mysteries. This class is hands-on, so be sure to dress for a mess!

Create and modify arcade-style games using Scratch, a programming language developed by MIT.

Learn programming concepts using Scratch. Create a Mario Kart - style game, then pick custom characters and a track to customize your game.

Learn the fundamentals of coding by creating a Nintendo-themed game using Scratch.