Course Selection
Students in the Exploration Track will choose one class each from Block A, Block B and Block C. Students in all tracks must choose two of the six available college living skills courses. After you are accepted to the Summer for Success program, you will be invited to complete your course selection online. Courses will fill up, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible if you are interested in specific courses below.
Block A Course Options
Caring for Animals
Do you have a special bond with animals? Come explore animal husbandry and welfare science as you work with our resident animals in Beacon’s Anthrozoology Lab. You’ll share in every aspect of their overall care. This course includes a capstone project.
Social Media Marketing
Ever wondered what it takes to be a Social Media Marketer? Discover the essentials of developing your own social media campaign. Learn all about Social Media Marketing, from strategy to execution, and gain the skills needed to thrive in this dynamic field. Join us and start your journey today!
Building with the Brick
LEGO® bricks are more than just a toy. Many adults have created incredible works of art, mechanics, and architecture from these interlocking building pieces. This class will examine the various elements and design process through LEGO BrickLink Studio 2.0, in addition to hands on problem solving. What happens when you have to modify your design because you do not have the right pieces? Instead of dwelling on the issue, let’s focus on the solution! Develop and challenge your skills in adaptability, flexibility with ideas, spatial awareness, and creativity.
Digital Literacy & Online Presence
Students will learn why digital literacy and their online presence is important for college admittance and their future job search by participating in engaging activities such as learning to manage their digital footprint, how to create a professional online presence, and proper online etiquette. Upon completion of this course, students will have a better understanding of the significance of their online presence and will have strategies for managing their digital accounts to maximize their future professional opportunities.
Lyrical Literature
Discover how great songs have the same great elements found in Literature. In this course, we will learn all about how to become better readers and how to become aware of how great lyrics are made. We will discuss topics such as Universal Themes, Rhetorical Devices, Figurative Language, and more.
Women in Resistance, Revolution & Rebellion
Examine the critical roles women played in revolutionary, anti-colonial, and political resistance movements. Study key figures like Olympe de Gouges and Emmeline Pankhurst. Research and present on lesser-known female revolutionaries, analyzing their impact on political and social change from the French Revolution to the Arab Spring.
Psychology of Cults
Examine the phenomena of cults using sociological and social-psychological theories, along with narrative and literary accounts. Explore recruitment, conversion, conformity, commitment, and disaffiliation, with a focus on extreme obedience. Understand the dynamics of these systems through various theoretical lenses and real-world examples.
Introduction to Photography: Seeing the World Through the Lens
This hands-on course teaches students to capture meaningful moments with purpose, whether using a smartphone or DSLR. Students will explore camera settings, light, color, and composition while experimenting with themes like portraiture and landscapes. Through photo challenges, critiques, and collaborative projects, they’ll build technical skills and develop personal visual narratives, culminating in a photo exhibition.
Block B Course Options
Wildlife & Field Conservation
Wildlife is all around you. Investigate local wildlife species by conducting observations at a local green space, document your observations using a professional field journal, and explore Project WILD programs. Includes a capstone project.
Modern Humanities: Pop Culture and the Art of Storytelling
Unlock the power of storytelling in this exciting class, where you’ll dive into the art of narrative! Through hands-on reading, writing, and speaking projects, you will engage with popular culture to hone your communication skills while discovering how stories shape our understanding of the world, and inspire growth and action toward goals.
Quantum Leap: A STEAM Voyage
Learn the history, technology, and principles of the engineering design process. Through a collaboration effort with a local theme park, students apply real-world critical thinking to transform top attractions into creative learning environments. Students will explore the topics of rocketry, robotics, and simulation. Students will also connect what they are learning in the classroom, to careers in STEAM-related fields.
Content Creation & Influencer Marketing in the Digital Age
Learn to navigate platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, crafting content that resonates with target audiences while analyzing successful influencer campaigns. By the end of the course, participants will have the skills to create engaging content and design influencer marketing strategies that can elevate brand visibility and foster community engagement in the digital age.
Psychology of Gaming
Students will learn how psychology is used to create video games that people will want to play, why it can be difficult to stop playing a game, and how therapists are using games to help their clients. Students will reflect on their own gaming habits, analyze the pros and cons of gaming, and use critical thinking to explain their rationale during written and interactive activities. Students will also learn how social connections and online behavior are shaping the current gaming culture as well as how gaming is affecting the mental health of young adults today.
Creative Writing Through Dungeons & Dragons
Develop creative writing skills in an imaginative way using Dungeons & Dragons. Create a well-developed character and collaborate with peers to build a world and campaign plot. Enhance improvisation, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills through this engaging and interactive process.
Textile Arts
Take inspiration from nature and your personal passions by creating artistic illustrations on fabrics using dye and the batik technique. The batik technique is done through drawing with wax and textile dyes to design works of art rich in colors, contrasts, and textures. The course includes lessons on the history of batik, materials and tools, wax preparation, and dyeing techniques.
Motion Graphics
Discover how to create eye-catching animations and add special effects to your concepts using animation software. Learn dynamic design sequencing and bring your ideas to life with engaging visuals. This course will equip you with the skills to produce professional-quality motion graphics
Block C Course Options
Zoology
Get ready to dive into the wild world of animals! This exciting Zoology course takes you on an adventure through the fascinating realms of animal development, evolution, and classification. From the tiniest critters to the largest creatures on Earth, you’ll uncover the secrets behind their anatomy, physiology, and survival strategies.
Career Exploration: Discovering Your Path
This course guides students through self-assessments to uncover their passions, strengths, and values. Through hands-on activities and collaborative projects, students explore career paths, practice networking and interview skills, and learn the essentials of crafting résumés and cover letters, preparing them to take confident next steps toward their future.
Digital Publishing & Layout Designs
Students will work with Adobe InDesign to create professional design layouts, including brochures, magazines, digital publications, and other print-based media. Students will work to develop skills to produce high-quality layout designs for both print and digital media production.
Entrepreneurship Bootcamp
Engage in a series of workshops, collaborative projects, and real-world simulations that cover the fundamental aspects of starting and running a successful business. From ideation to pitching to investors, students will develop the skills and mindset necessary to thrive in the entrepreneurial landscape.
Personal Finance
This dynamic course covers budgeting, saving, investing, and responsible spending, empowering students to make informed financial decisions. Students will design personal budgets, simulate the use of checking and savings accounts, demonstrate knowledge of debt, and credit management, and evaluate and understand stocks, insurance, and taxes. Through interactive activities and real-life scenarios, students will learn how to manage their money effectively and set financial goals for a successful future.
Empowered by AI: Tools for the Modern Student
Embark on an exciting journey to understand the fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and explore a variety of popular AI tools. Designed for modern students, this course aims to empower you with the knowledge and skills to leverage AI responsibly and effectively in your academic pursuits.
Prep for Success: Reading Skills for College Challenges
Get ready to tackle college challenges in this empowering course designed to boost your reading skills! You’ll learn effective techniques to improve comprehension and critical thinking while engaging with a variety of texts. Through interactive activities and discussions, you’ll develop the skills to analyze and synthesize information to help prepare you for success.
Creative Storytelling Through Graphic Novels
Learn the essentials of storytelling in the graphic novel format, focusing on narrative structure, visual storytelling, and character development. Study popular graphic novels and master conveying stories through images and text. Create your own short graphic novel or comic strip, incorporating key storytelling techniques and artistic elements.
Independent Living Skills Course Options
Financial Management
Dealing with the financial independence that comes with college can be challenging. Many students aren’t prepared for the consequences of overspending or know how to create a college living budget. This seminar focuses on money management “best practices” to build your awareness of smart spending and teach you the fundamentals of financial literacy.
The Basics of Cooking
You don’t have to turn to the Food Network to learn to cook! This seminar series will explore easy recipes that the whole family can enjoy. You’ll look at food safety fundamentals, learn meal preparation tips and tricks, and see cooking demonstrations to enhance culinary creativity.
Emotional Self-Care
The transition to college can be stressful and can challenge your mental well-being. This seminar series looks at strategies around emotional self-care. You’ll learn helpful mindfulness techniques, new ways of processing your thoughts and emotions, and prosocial behaviors to enhance your personal well-being.
Essentials of Community Living
Learn the fundamentals of creating an organized and clean living space in a college residence hall. You’ll participate in practical strategies and learn to better understand how to independently manage your own living space.
Group Workouts
Staying active is key to mental and physical well-being at every stage of life. You’ll participate in daily fitness classes and explore different ways to work out and remain healthy. Classes will range from cardiovascular exercises to yoga and Zumba.
Mastering College Relationships
Socialization and establishing age-appropriate relationships are some of the biggest worries of both students and families in the transition to college. Mastering College Relationships focuses on techniques and practical experiences to overcome this concern. It includes active role playing, challenging tasks, and reflections.