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Intro to Python Programming with Finch Robots (half-day, afternoons)Week 1: July 7-11 (rising grades 6-9)PopularStudents will explore the world of programming using Python, a versatile and widely-used programming language. This class is designed to introduce students to the fundamental concepts of programming through hands-on experience with Finch robots, programmable devices that offer a tangible way to interact with code. Course Objectives Include: Introduction to Python: Students will learn the basic syntax and structure of the Python programming language, including variables, data types, loops, and conditional statements. Robotics Fundamentals: Students will gain an understanding of robotics concepts such as sensors, actuators, and control systems, as well as the role of programming in robotics. Programming Logic: Through practical exercises and projects, students will develop problem-solving skills and learn to break down complex tasks into manageable steps. Note: The robots are already built. This course focuses on programming and controlling a robot, not building a robot.2025 NCE Summer Explorations -grades 6-9
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Intro to Sailing (adults)Be ActiveIs sailing an activity you have been wanting to learn? Get started in this program! The session will cover the basics of rigging, de-rigging, sail trim, wind awareness, and the roles of crew and skipper. The 2-hour program won't get you ready to sail on your own (just yet), but is a great introduction to the wonderful sport of sailing! Limited to 3 per session.Adult Summer 2025
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Intro to Sailing (family)Be ActiveIs sailing an activity you have been wanting to learn? Get started in this program! The session will cover the basics of rigging, de-rigging, sail trim, wind awareness, and the roles of crew and skipper. The 2-hour program won't get you ready to sail on your own (just yet), but is a great introduction to the wonderful sport of sailing! Open to children 4+years old, with a responsible adult. Note: Family sessions include less instruction than the Adult sessions. Limited to 4.Adult Summer 2025
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Starting SoonIntroduction to Abstract Painting ConceptsCreate and MakeThis class will explore abstract painting concepts for artists of all levels. Come experiment and expand your visual boundaries! Explore the visual language of painting in a non-objective, non-figurative fashion and interpret what you see or feel around you as a reflection of your feelings and mood using acrylics. You’ll learn new ways to view and interpret the world and discover how to make compositional choices through line, form, shape, color, texture, and more. Try new and exciting products to build up texture, work colors together, and use a variety of alternative mediums to build up a surface, impasto, texture, gloss, matte, embedding objects into paints. You will be guided through a series of exercises designed to master these important abstract painting concepts and techniques to make great abstract paintings. A materials list can be found here.Adult WS2025
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Invest and PlanInvestment and financial planning classesCategory
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Starting SoonInvestment Property WorkshopInvest and PlanAre you interested in buying an investment property to generate income? This class will teach you what to look for when buying rental property in the current market. You will be given important buying tips and financing options. You will also learn about building equity and important landlord/tenant laws. Finally, the instructor will share advice for being a proactive vs. a reactive landlord.Adult WS2025
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Italian Book Caffè-IntermediateLearn a New LanguageThis program is designed for students who are already proficient in the skills taught in all previous levels and who want to increase their conversational and reading abilities. Conducted entirely in Italian, this course provides students with an opportunity to markedly improve their speaking and listening skills. We will read Un Segreto di Famiglia by Roberto Borzellino. Lessons will entail book discussion and advanced grammar topics. If you miss a class, you may view the recording or schedule a half-hour private lesson with the instructor ($39, purchase at nce.reg.eleyo.com or by phone with NCE). Limited to 8.Adult Summer 2025
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Italian Seratas: “Magari, It’s Just Se” ClausesLearn a New LanguageThis program, conducted largely in Italian, is designed for students who are already proficient in the skills taught from beginners to advanced II. We will explore the many tenses associated with se. If you miss a class, you may schedule a half-hour private lesson with the instructor ($39, purchase at nce.reg.eleyo.com or by phone with NCE).Adult WS2025
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Kick-Start Your College Essay and Supplemental EssaysPrivate School, college and grad school application related programsSummer is the best time for rising high school seniors to get a head-start on their college essays and supplemental essays. In this two-session course, veteran writing coach Jane Hirschhorn will introduce students to what makes standout personal essays and offer specific brainstorming exercises to get them moving forward in the writing process. In session one, Jane will describe the purpose of college essays; how they differ from school essays and what students can do to write the best essays possible. She will cover both the personal statement and supplemental essays and offer helpful resources and exercises to begin the writing process for both. In session two, students will arrange an individual 50-minute session with Jane to work on either their personal statement or one supplemental essay. Please note that all meetings take place via Zoom and must be scheduled to take place between August 13 and September 30.Adult Summer 2025
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KidCasters @ Sunita WilliamsWeek 4: July 28-August 1 (rising grades 6-9)‘Kidcasters’ is your chance to turn your passions into podcasts! Whether you're a gaming enthusiast, a budding comedian, a storyteller, a playwright, or a music lover, we'll help you transform your ideas into captivating audio content. Together, we'll brainstorm concepts, develop scripts, and master the art of recording and editing sound. From the initial idea to the final product, you'll gain hands-on experience in every aspect of podcast production, including marketing and distribution. By the end of the class, you'll have a live podcast episode ready to share with the world and the tools to create and publish your own audio adventures. Note: This class is located at Sunita Williams Elementary School for Grades 4-62025 NCE Summer Explorations -grades 6-9
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KidCasters @ Sunita WilliamsWeek 4: July 28-August 1 (rising grades 1-5)Waitlist‘Kidcasters’ is your chance to turn your passions into podcasts! Whether you're a gaming enthusiast, a budding comedian, a storyteller, a playwright, or a music lover, we'll help you transform your ideas into captivating audio content. Together, we'll brainstorm concepts, develop scripts, and master the art of recording and editing sound. From the initial idea to the final product, you'll gain hands-on experience in every aspect of podcast production, including marketing and distribution. By the end of the class, you'll have a live podcast episode ready to share with the world and the tools to create and publish your own audio adventures. Note: This class is located at Sunita Williams Elementary School for Grades 4-62025 NCE Summer Explorations -grades 1-5
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LEGO Builders Club (WK1)Week 1: July 7-11 (rising grades 1-5)‘Lego Builders Club’ invites budding architects and imaginative builders to unleash their creativity while exploring the endless possibilities of LEGO bricks! From constructing towering skyscrapers and intricate vehicles to creating fantastical creatures and imaginative worlds, students will learn valuable engineering concepts, develop problem-solving skills, and foster teamwork and collaboration. With a focus on creativity, imagination, and fun, this class provides a space for students to celebrate themselves, their ideas and one another.2025 NCE Summer Explorations -grades 1-5
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LEGO Builders Club (WK4)Week 4: July 28-August 1 (rising grades 1-5)Waitlist‘Lego Builders Club’ invites budding architects and imaginative builders to unleash their creativity while exploring the endless possibilities of LEGO bricks! From constructing towering skyscrapers and intricate vehicles to creating fantastical creatures and imaginative worlds, students will learn valuable engineering concepts, develop problem-solving skills, and foster teamwork and collaboration. With a focus on creativity, imagination, and fun, this class provides a space for students to celebrate themselves, their ideas and one another.2025 NCE Summer Explorations -grades 1-5
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Late Afternoon & Evening ClassesStudents should arrive 5–10 minutes before the start of class to check in with our OnSite Coordinator. Students will remain with the Coordinator upon check-in until the start of class. No supervision is provided between the end of the school day and 10 minutes prior to the start of Late Afternoon/Evening Classes.Category
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Learn a New LanguageCategory
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Lyman Estate: Mansion and Landscape TourExperience and ExploreIn 1793, shipping merchant Theodore Lyman commissioned famed architect Samuel McIntire to design and build a Federal-style house for his family. Three additional generations also left their mark on the estate during their 150 years of ownership. Hear the story of the Lyman family and the architecture of the house during a tour of the mansion. Then, head outside to walk the rolling paths and garden trails of the 37-acre estate with your guide. Landscape and horticulture were always integral to the estate. This site was home to pleasure grounds, formal gardens, a working farm, greenhouses, and woodlands for over four generations of the Lyman family. See how the grounds have changed over time and explore that which has remained intact in spite of it.Adult Summer 2025
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WaitlistMah Jongg for BeginnersPlay a GameOne Bam! Three Dot! Nine Crack! Join the ranks of Mah Jongg enthusiasts nationwide who are reaping the social and intellectual benefits of playing this challenging tile game. No experience needed. By the end of the session, players will have mastered the basics: setting up the tiles and racks, dealing and passing tiles, choosing a hand by interpreting the Mah Jongg card, and playing a round. Note: You will need to purchase a 2025 Mah Jongg card from the instructor. The card costs $15.Adult Summer 2025
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Make Music, Perform and Use Your VoiceCategory
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WaitlistMake Your Own Leaf Print Birdbath, Table Top or Garden DecorationCreate and MakeTravel to a barn in Needham to create a unique and functional work of art! On the first evening, you will choose a large leaf from Cathy Byrd’s vegetable garden (or bring one from your garden). Then, you will use the leaf as an imprint for a cement birdbath, tabletop or garden decoration. On the second evening, you will add some finishing touches and weather proof the project. A $20 materials fee is payable to the instructors in class.Adult WS2025
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PopularMastering the GrillCook and TasteNothing says summer like delicious food fresh from the grill. Come to Powisset Farm and learn the in’s, out’s, tips, and tricks for field to grill meals. Chef Thi will be grill master leading the charge on spicy, garlicky roasted harissa vegetables, stone fruit salad with arugula and goat cheese, and a briny, lemony herb chicken spiedini (all prepared on the grill of course). We will enjoy the meal we prepared in the beautiful setting of Powisset Farm. You will be given recipes to bring home. Limited to 12.Adult Summer 2025
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Mermaid & Pirate Adventures (WK2)Week 2: July 14-18 (rising grades 1-5)Plunge into the enchanting world of ‘Mermaid + Pirate Adventures’! Through imaginative play, creative art projects, and engaging activities, we'll explore the mystical realms of mermaids and the daring lives of pirates. Discover hidden treasures, craft your own mermaid tail, design a unique pirate flag, and even stage your own swashbuckling adventures. This immersive experience promises to spark creativity and instill a sense of wonder in every young mermaid and pirate enthusiast.2025 NCE Summer Explorations -grades 1-5
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Mermaid & Pirate Adventures (WK4)Week 4: July 28-August 1 (rising grades 1-5)Plunge into the enchanting world of ‘Mermaid + Pirate Adventures’! Through imaginative play, creative art projects, and engaging activities, we'll explore the mystical realms of mermaids and the daring lives of pirates. Discover hidden treasures, craft your own mermaid tail, design a unique pirate flag, and even stage your own swashbuckling adventures. This immersive experience promises to spark creativity and instill a sense of wonder in every young mermaid and pirate enthusiast.2025 NCE Summer Explorations -grades 1-5
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Middle School ProgramsPlease read all Middle School Registration Tips and Policies here. Please contact sari_musmon@needham.k12.ma.us with any ideas for future classes. Explore old & new hobbies, expand your mind, and engage with classmates!! The Needham Community Education (NCE) Middle School Programs offers high quality enrichment classes that appeal to all students. These fun classes, taught by Needham Public Schools staff and other qualified professionals, enable students to extend their learning beyond the classroom in a relaxed & social environment. Refund Policy: Participants may withdraw from a class and receive a refund, less a $15.00 processing fee, if you notify NCE on or before 2-weeks from the start of class. Refunds are made by check from the Town of Needham and may take up to four weeks to arrive by mail. No credits or refunds can be given after the deadline date, once a class begins, or for missed classes. Contact Us: For more information or questions about NCE Middle School programs, please contact Sari Musmon, NCE Program Director, at sari_musmon@needham.k12.ma.usCategory
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NCE Elementary After School ProgramsENROLLMENT ENDS 3/20 FOR SELECT AFTER-SCHOOL CLASSES. WINTER/SPRING CATALOG LINK Please note that classes fill quickly. Registrations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Enrollment Policy: Students may only register for NCE classes at the school they currently attend, unless otherwise specified. Health and Safety: As NCE is part of the Needham Public Schools, NCE programs will adhere to all health and safety guidelines in place for Needham Public Schools. Program Director, Elementary: Anna_Cohen@needham.k12.ma.us Scholarships: Rita_Jarvis@needham.k12.ma.us Needham Community Education (NCE) offers a variety of enrichment programs for grades 1-5 (Fall) + K-5 (Spring), located at all Needham Elementary schools. NCE provides students with joyful and educational opportunities in the areas of visual arts, active play, science exploration, chess, technology and beyond. If you are looking to support your child's interests in a space that is welcoming and inclusive, NCE is the place for you!Category
