Workshop Listings
Workshops available to all EXPLO at St. Mark's students are numbered W101-W127. Workshops for Pioneers only are numbered W151-W159. Workshops for Voyagers only are numbered W171-W186.
First-Come, First-Served
You will identify six workshop preferences on your application and be enrolled in two workshops each session. On Wednesdays, you will attend your first workshop in the morning [10:30am-12:30pm] and your second workshop in the afternoon [1:45pm-3:45pm].
Workshops are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Class size is limited to 14 students. The registrar makes every effort to assign you to your top choices. If a workshop is full, you will be assigned to another one of your choices.
Workshops for Pioneers + Voyagers
| W101 | Karate+ Do you have what it takes to remain calm and confident in the face of danger? Come and learn how to coordinate your mind and body as you learn the techniques and philosophy of karate. You can learn how to do basic punches, blocks, and kicks, and you'll even learn to focus your mental and physical energy to break a board with your bare hands. Join us to strengthen the power of your mind and body! | |
| W102 | Baseball+ Two strikes. Two outs. It's the bottom of the ninth and the bases are loaded. Whether you are pitching, hitting, or playing the field, this is the moment you have always dreamed of. Before you can pitch like Josh Beckett or hit like David Ortiz, you have to learn the basics. In this workshop, we will work on important fundamentals like hitting, fielding, and throwing, along with essential strategies that will help you win the big game. All levels welcome. We will provide bats and gloves, though students are welcome to bring their own. | |
| W103 | Tennis+ Have you ever wondered how tennis stars like Andy Roddick and Maria Sharapova make those shots? Well, here is your opportunity to learn. In this workshop, we will learn all there is to know about tennis — everything from keeping score to executing the perfect serve. No experience necessary. We will provide racquets, though students are welcome to bring their own. | |
| W104 | Soccer+ Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world, and this is your opportunity to get in on all the fun! Each week we will work on specific skills such as passing, trapping, and dribbling. Through drills, games, and controlled scrimmages, we'll help you hone your skills and improve your technique.
Students should bring their own fitted mouth guards. Shin guards will be provided, though students are welcome to bring their own. | |
| W105 | Basketball For Boys+ There are two seconds left on the clock and your team needs you! You find the ball in your hands, but before you can hit a jumper or drive the lane like Lebron, you are going to have to practice. Each week, we'll work on the basics like dribbling, passing, and shooting. We'll work on form, footwork, and fundamentals. By the end of the session, these sharpened skills will hit the court in a championship game! | |
| W106 | Basketball For Girls+ With your team down by one and mere seconds left on the clock, it's up to you to save the game! Before you can drive the lane or hit a jumper like Sheryl Swoopes, you are going to have to practice. Each week will help you hone basic skills like dribbling, passing, and shooting. We'll work on form, footwork, and fundamentals. At the end of the session, these sharpened skills will hit the court in a championship game! | |
| W107 | Lacrosse For Boys+ This is your chance to try one of North America's oldest sports — lacrosse. Each week, we'll work on basic skills like groundballs, cradling, and shooting, then we'll apply these skills to specific offensive and defensive strategies. By the end of the session, the fundamentals and strategic plays will combine in a full-field game. So grab your stick and let the game begin!
Students should bring their own fitted mouth guards. Sticks and helmets will be provided, though students are welcome to bring their own. | |
| W108 | Lacrosse + Field Hockey for Girls+ Quick quiz, sports fans — what's the fastest growing sport in the United States? Lacrosse! What's the second most popular sport in the world? Field hockey! Explo takes the field to bring you this combination of popular sports in our field hockey and lacrosse workshop. We'll start with the basics, from holding your stick to dribbling, cradling, scoops, flicks, and more. Then we'll cap off the fun with a tournament, EXPLO-style!
Students should bring their own fitted mouth guards. Sticks and shin guards will be provided, though students are welcome to bring their own. | |
| W109 | Cheerleading+ Have you ever wanted to learn how to do a toetouch, hurdler, pike, herkie, or a double nine? These are famous cheerleading jumps that help athletes and crowds get excited for games and they've become a signature part of national cheerleading competitions. Together, we'll learn how to incorporate dancing, jumping, singing, stunts, and cheering in an all-out team effort to make EXPLO a smash hit! | |
| W110 | Chess+ Queen to rook one. Knight to king four. Checkmate! Chess is a classic game full of strategy, tension, and excitement. Whether you're the next Bobby Fischer waiting for a game with Deep Blue, or you don't know your castle from your pawn, this workshop will introduce you to the logic, strategy, and patience it takes to be the next chess master. | |
| W111 | Canoeing + Kayaking+ Join EXPLO on the pond of St. Mark's and at Hopkinton State Park in our combination canoeing and kayaking workshop. Equal time will be spent learning the basics of each boat — from stroke technique to steering and balance. We'll explore the on-campus pond for the first week and then head to nearby Hopkinton State Park for the following two weeks. | |
| W112 | Swim Lessons+ What is summer without time in the pool? At EXPLO at St. Mark's, we offer beginning through intermediate swim lessons. From strokes and kicking to relays and water aerobics, you'll have fun and improve your swimming at the same time. Instructors will determine the appropriate level of instruction during the summer. | |
| W113 | EMT + First Aid+ Get ready to gain the knowledge and skills needed to help others. In this workshop, you'll discover what to do when first aid is needed. Find out how to respond to sprains, wounds, cuts, burns, and choking. You could learn important skills that might save someone's life! | |
| W114 | Team Challenge+ Can you and your classmates reorder yourselves by birthday on a 4-inch beam? What about clearing a path through a mine field... except the mines are voice sensitive — can you get your teammates safely through without using your voice? These challenges are fun, but require excellent problem solving skills, and the ability to cooperate with large groups while under pressure. Are you up for the challenge? | |
| W115 | Secret Agent+ Code name? Check. Stealth moves? Check. Mission completed? Well, that part’s up to you! Join a team of secret agents as they deduce, plan, and execute a secret mission. We’d tell you more, but, that would be giving too much away!
Students will only be enrolled in one of the following: 502, 602, or W115. | |
| W116 | Model Rocketry+ The EXPLO Space Program is looking for a few good students. Come join this beginning model rocketry class and you will have the opportunity to design and build your own basic model rocket. You'll learn what makes these rockets soar as high as they do and, on the final day, you will be able to run your very own test launch.
Students will not be enrolled in both 721 and W116. | |
| W117 | Sustainable Engineering+ Living green. You've heard about global warming, endangered natural resources, and alternative fuels, so here's an opportunity to actually build structures using solar, wind, and hydropower. We'll design, build, and use devices like solar ovens, greenhouses, and wind turbines that bake, dehydrate, and store and generate power, all while conserving resources. Is green your color? | |
| W118 | Paper Arts+ Chances are you've heard of origami. But papel picado or kami paper? Join us as we cut, fold, and scrunch two-dimensional paper into three-dimensional cultural masterpieces. From the folded creations of Japan, to the papier maché and punch designs of Mexico, to the meaning behind Afghani kites and Chinese lanterns, we'll take a creative journey around the wide world of paper arts! | |
| W119 | I Can't Believe It's Not Stained Glass!+ From tissue paper and aluminum foil to cellophane and theater gels, we'll use a variety of everyday (and not-so-everyday) materials to create shimmering masterpieces! We'll explore how the qualities of texture, shape, and color impact the light that shines through our window hangings, picture frames, vases, and more. Using your creativity, your hands, and natural light, you'll have everyone saying "I can't believe it's not stained glass!" | |
| W120 | Summer Spa+ Spend some time at the EXPLO Spa as we learn how to make bath products from all-natural, common household ingredients. Each week, we will make different products such as lotion, lip balm, bath fizzies, soap, and more! Pick your favorite scents and colors, design your own packaging, and put it all together in a complete bath collection made by you! | |
| W121 | Cake Decorating+ Mmmm cake! Have you ever wondered who decorates those delicious cakes you see in bakeries and at weddings? Believe it or not, people go to school to learn how to create those colossal confections. This workshop will give you the opportunity to design and decorate your own cakes. And when you've finished, you'll be able to share it with the entire program! | |
| W122 | World Cooking+ Pack your appetite we're going on a trip around the world! In this workshop, we will hop from one continent to another preparing and sampling tasty dishes from many different countries. Each week we will learn about traditional foods and customs from a different nation. Come join us! This course will be a worldwide trip for your taste buds. | |
| W123 | Theater Special Effects+ Theater is an exercise in make-believe, but it takes some practice to make that illusion seem real! In this workshop you’ll learn secret techniques, such as how to make something vanish suddenly on stage, how to stage-fight using fake swords or your hands, even how make-up can make a young person appear old. All you need is your imagination and some tricks of the trade!
Students will not be enrolled in both 513 and W123.
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| W124 | Textile Arts+ There's a lot more to the world of cloth than a sewing machine. For instance, you can use fabric to add texture to a collage, or as the canvas for painting or beading. Furthermore, creating the cloth can be a craft in itself, and easy using simple handlooms. Come discover all that you can do with textiles in this fun and crafty class! | |
| W125 | Ballet+ Plié, point your toes, and glide into an arabesque. Ballet is a dance known for its grace, and in this workshop you’ll learn the basic control and skill needed to float and spin across the stage. From warmups to jetés, you’ll let the music carry you away! | |
| W126 | Wire Art+ A paperclip is just a paperclip, until you unbend it and retwist into a miniature sculpture. Same thing with a hanger. Using the basic metal and wire you have around you, you can make jewelry, art, sculpture, amazing things with just a spin of the pliers and a little imagination. So come join us, and bring wire art to life! | |
| W127 | Extreme Capture the Flag+ Take a basic game — two sides, two flags, running and tag — and add a twist. Maybe everyone has to do everything backward. Maybe some players are blindfolded, and others need to be their eyes. Maybe there are FOUR teams, instead of two! Try your skills at this game when the rules keep changing, and see if you have what it takes to win! |
Workshops for Pioneers ONLY
| W151 | Street Hockey+ Leave the ice skates at home; this is summer hockey! Trade your skates for sneakers and your puck for a ball, and we can work on passing, shooting, and quick feet! This workshop will emphasize drills and scrimmages in order to master the basic skills of floor and street hockey. Shoot and score! Students should bring their own fitted mouth guards. Sticks, goggles, and helmets will be provided, though students are welcome to bring their own. | |
| W152 | Flag Football+ Forget Monday Night Football, this is EXPLO Football! Ease into the skills and strategies of this popular sport in a less physical version of the game. We will cover offensive and defensive tactics to give you a chance to see both sides of the game, and will also practice basics such as passing, kicking, and catching.
Students should bring their own fitted mouth guards. | |
| W153 | Yoga+ Do you think yoga is all about bending into a pretzel and putting your feet behind your head? It's not. Learn the secrets of relaxation and meditation while increasing your physical and mental strength. Learn how to deal with stress and how to become a healthier person. Learn what yoga is all about! | |
| W154 | Sculpture+ Here is your chance to create all sorts of three-dimensional art from all sorts of materials! We will test the limits of our creativity as we experiment with clay, wood, wire, fabric, knickknacks, and whatchamacallits! Grab your imagination; it's time to create!
Students will not be enrolled in both 601 and W154. | |
| W155 | Woodworking+ What would you do with a hammer, sandpaper, and a two-by-four? Create a birdhouse for your backyard or a mailbox for your front yard? In our woodworking workshop, we will learn all about woodshop safety, hand tools, and the basics of measuring, cutting, sanding, and finishing wood. Best of all, you will have great projects to take home! | |
| W156 | Jewelry Making+ From basic lanyard stitches to intricate beading patterns and techniques, this workshop will explore several types of jewelry making. We will experiment with different materials and learn the skills necessary to create rings, necklaces, bracelets, anklets, and more. | |
| W157 | Web Design+ What are your favorite websites? Ever wonder how those sites are created? Now you can learn to make your own website! We'll learn how to include pictures, colors, text, and links to other web pages. Do you have what it takes to make the next Google?
Students will not be enrolled in both 606 and W157. | |
| W158 | Art in Nature+ Who needs store-bought glitter and processed puffy paint? All the materials we need to make wonderful art can be found in nature, often right in our own backyard. In this class you'll have a chance to build sculptures out of natural materials, mix paints from stones and berries, and even use the dye from leaves and flowers to make designs on cloth! The world is your studio, and the possibilities for creativity are endless! | |
| W159 | Science of Bubbles+ There’s more to these shimmering orbs than a bit of dishsoap and a wand. In this workshop, you’ll experiment and discover which solutions make the most colorful bubbles, and which ones last the longest. By the end, you’ll have the skills and materials to create a giant bubble, bigger than you and your friends! Better hope it doesn’t pop! |
Workshops for Voyagers ONLY
| W171 | Street Luge+ Forget the XGames, it's time for the EXPLO Games! In this workshop, we will learn what it takes to be a competitive street luger. You will have the opportunity to learn specific techniques that will allow you to safely manage EXPLO's certified luge course in record time.
Students should bring their own bike helmets. All other equipment will be provided. | |
| W172 | Fencing+ En guarde! Are you ready for fancy footwork and foils? You will learn the basic safety, foot stance, and techniques of the sport. Fencing is one of only four events that have been in every Olympic Summer Games, and here's your chance to be a part of that history! | |
| W173 | Archery+ Bull's eye! This is your opportunity to learn all there is to know about the traditional sport of archery. Learn why an arrow flies the way it does, how a competition is scored, and what skills are needed to master the bow — like Legolas from The Lord of the Rings. No experience necessary.
All equipment and arm pads will be provided. | |
| W174 | Flag Football+ Forget Monday Night Football, this is EXPLO Football! Ease into the skills and strategies of this popular sport in a less physical version of the game. We will cover offensive and defensive tactics to give you a chance to see both sides of the game, and will also practice basics such as passing, kicking, and catching.
Students should bring their own fitted mouth guards. | |
| W175 | Track + Field+ Come learn what it takes to be a Heptathlete! In this workshop, we will focus on seven track and field events: running, relays, hurdles, discus, shot put, long jump, and triple jump before gearing up for the heptathlon where you'll compete to be the next EXPLO Olympian. | |
| W176 | Ultimate Frisbee+ Backhand, forehand... hammer? There are many ways to throw a Frisbee, but it all depends on your defender. From long hucks to short give-and-go, we'll learn a game that is gaining popularity by practicing our passing, cutting, and defensive skills. You'll learn a stall count, the special overhead hammer throw, and how to get into the end zone as quickly as possible! | |
| W177 | Yoga+ Do you think yoga is all about bending into a pretzel and putting your feet behind your head? It's not. Learn the secrets of relaxation and meditation while increasing your physical and mental strength. Learn how to deal with stress and how to become a healthier person. Learn what yoga is all about! | |
| W178 | Taiko Drumming+ Four-four time or three-four time? These are common rhythms found in Taiko, an ancient Japanese drumming art form. In this workshop, you will learn about rhythm, percussion, movement, and the basics of stance and beats in songs like "Renshu." With more practice, you will have an understanding of how Taiko was used for celebration, meditation, and feudal warfare. | |
| W179 | Flash Fiction+ Sometimes stories are long and complex, but not in this class! Flash fiction is the challenge of writing stories in a "flash" that are as short as a paragraph, and sometimes only one sentence! But they still manage to have plot and be fun to read. Sound impossible? It's not, and if you take this class you too will learn the art of very, very short fiction. So choose your words carefully... | |
| W180 | Murder Mystery+ It was a dark and stormy night... actually, it was just before lunch, but that never stopped detectives on the trail of a murderer! Like a live-action game of Clue, you will find yourself in the midst of a mysterious murder. Use stealth to hunt for hidden evidence, gumption to interview suspects, and cunning to solve a devious crime before the workshop is through! | |
| W181 | Painting+ Painting is a great way to express yourself! In this workshop, you will have the opportunity to explore painting techniques using watercolor, acrylic, tempera paints, and more. Through color mixing and creative brush strokes, we will turn everyday objects and landscapes into amazing works of art that you can take home at the end of the session. No experience necessary.
Students will not be enrolled in both 805 and W181. | |
| W182 | Improv+ Whose line is it? Come discover the secrets behind successful improv! Learn how to be a quick thinker, be an excellent listener, and work with fellow actors to create a comedic spark. Play improvisational theater games, perform without a script, and make each other laugh. It's anyone's guess what will happen next!
Students will not be enrolled in both 712 and W182. | |
| W183 | Dissection+ Eyes, hearts, and worms. Do you want to become a surgeon someday? How about a research scientist? Come and learn about dissection! Each week we will focus on a specific specimen to dissect, learning about proper technique as well as analysis of the specimen's internal structure. | |
| W184 | Mini Fizz, Bang, Pop!+ Chemistry is everywhere! It's in the foods we eat and the drinks we drink. During this workshop, we will investigate the wonderful world of chemistry. Through hands-on experiments, we will learn about everyday chemical reactions that take place all around us. We will make slime, glue, and even soda! If you are curious, then this is the workshop for you.
Students will not be enrolled concurrently in 720 and 820 and W184. | |
| W185 | Geocaching+ Quick! What does this clue mean? How do you read the map? Where will the hidden trail lead? Geocaching is like a mystery, hide-and-seek, and a scavenger hunt all rolled into one. You’ll decipher clues and solve directions to lead you on an adventure through the woods, following the trail until you win! | |
| W186 | Casino Math+ You may have the cards, but can you beat the odds? Lady Luck plays a part in these games of chance, but there really are some mathematical patterns to the whims of casino games. In this workshop you’ll learn about the probability of games like blackjack and poker, and discover why the house always wins, as you understand the clever math behind these fun games! |