College for Kids
Summer 2025 Enrichment Classes
College for Kids provides fun, informative classes to students entering 3rd through 8th grades.
Renewable Energy and the Power Protectors STEM Challenge
Get ready for an epic engineering challenge. Design and build a renewable energy
power source, explore solar, wind and hydro power, learn about the energy people use
on a daily basis and the importance of using energy wisely. Join the Power Protectors
and discover “Watts” up, design a superhero hideout and engage in the Energy Island
Adventure board game. Supplies are included. (Ages 8 – 12) Cost: $35
SVCC - Riverview Conference Room (1H16) | Instructor Martha Ebbesmeyer, U of I Extension
Growing in the Greenhouse
Join us for fun growing plants and learning in the Sauk Valley Community College
Greenhouse Learning Lab. We will explore the world of plants and how they grow in
containers and through hydroponic systems. During the four sessions, we will learn
how to propagate plants and use those techniques to create plants that participants
will take home with them. Students are recommended to bring a box or canvas bag to
take home their project. Supplies are included. (Ages 9 – 13) Cost: $35
SVCC Greenhouse | Instructor Bruce Black, U of I Extension
DIY Bottle Terrarium
Explore the enclosed world of bottle terrariums, self-contained plant environments
within glass. Learn about terrariums, their needs and how to create a bottle version
of a terrarium to take home with you. If you would like to turn a specific bottle
into a terrarium, please bring it, otherwise one will be provided. Supplies are included. Students are recommended to bring a box or canvas bag to take home their project.
(Ages 9 – 13) Cost: $30
SVCC Greenhouse | Instructor Bruce Black, U of I Extension
Pokémon® Masters: Designers & 3D Makers Unite!
Calling all PokeMasters who want to be the designers of the future! Use your Pokémon
imagination and bring your ideas to life. Begin by creating your own digital Pokémon-style
custom-playing card game. Progress onto designing action figures, jewelry, and toys
in professional-level modeling software. Learn how to prepare a model for 3D printing
and create a design portfolio to showcase your work! No prior experience is necessary
and 3D designs will be available on a password-protected Black Rocket website to share
with friends and family. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program.
(Ages 8 – 10) Cost: $129
SVCC - Room 3K02
Pokémon® Masters: Designers & 3D Makers Unite!
Calling all PokeMasters who want to be the designers of the future! Use your Pokémon
imagination and bring your ideas to life. Begin by creating your own digital Pokémon-style
custom-playing card game. Progress onto designing action figures, jewelry, and toys
in professional-level modeling software. Learn how to prepare a model for 3D printing
and create a design portfolio to showcase your work! No prior experience is necessary
and 3D designs will be available on a password-protected Black Rocket website to share
with friends and family. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program.
(Ages 11 – 14) Cost: $129
SVCC - Room 3K02
ROBLOX® Makers
Unlock the power of ROBLOX® Studio, the world creation tool used by real-world
ROBLOX® developers! Learn how to build 3D models and create an adventure in your ROBLOX®
world. Bring characters to life with unique animations you design. Student-created
projects will be available on a password-protected Black Rocket website to share with
friends and family. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program.
(Ages 8 – 10) Cost: $129
SVCC - Room 3K02
ROBLOX® Makers
Unlock the power of ROBLOX® Studio, the world creation tool used by real-world
ROBLOX® developers! Learn how to build 3D models and create an adventure in your ROBLOX®
world. Bring characters to life with unique animations you design. Student-created
projects will be available on a password-protected Black Rocket website to share with
friends and family. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program.
(Ages 11 – 14) Cost: $129
SVCC - Room 3K02
YouTube® Content Creators
Find your voice and leave your mark on the world! Whether you are six or sixteen,
it’s time to start a career as the next YouTube star. Explore the variety of content
and personalities that exist on YouTube and how to find your own niche. Learn the
Dos and Don’ts of the platform and how to practice good digital citizenship. Develop
your on-camera presence, your own channel branding, and professional editing skills.
Take home a plan for launching your own channel with the content created in class!
Student projects will be available on a password-protected Black Rocket website to
share with friends and family. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the
program. (Ages 8 – 10) Cost: $139
SVCC Room 3K02
YouTube® Content Creators
Find your voice and leave your mark on the world! Whether you are six or sixteen,
it’s time to start a career as the next YouTube star. Explore the variety of content
and personalities that exist on YouTube and how to find your own niche. Learn the
Dos and Don’ts of the platform and how to practice good digital citizenship. Develop
your on-camera presence, your own channel branding, and professional editing skills.
Take home a plan for launching your own channel with the content created in class!
Student projects will be available on a password-protected Black Rocket website to
share with friends and family. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the
program. (Ages 11 – 14) Cost: $139
SVCC Room 3K02
Virtual Reality: The Future is Now
Embark on an EPIC adventure in virtual reality! In this cutting-edge class, learn
the foundations of VR design by creating your own virtual worlds, exploring simulated
environments, crafting 3D experiences, and learning basic programming concepts. At
the end of the week, take home your first cardboard VR headset to show friends and
family the new worlds you created. VR projects can be viewed on a website or mobile
device. Students do not need a mobile device to take the class, but will need access
to a mobile device at home. VR projects will be available on a password-protected
Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. Students will work in pairs
or teams for most of the program. (Ages 8 – 10) Cost: $139
SVCC Room 3K02
Virtual Reality: The Future is Now
Embark on an EPIC adventure in virtual reality! In this cutting-edge class, learn
the foundations of VR design by creating your own virtual worlds, exploring simulated
environments, crafting 3D experiences, and learning basic programming concepts. At
the end of the week, take home your first cardboard VR headset to show friends and
family the new worlds you created. VR projects can be viewed on a website or mobile
device. Students do not need a mobile device to take the class, but will need access
to a mobile device at home. VR projects will be available on a password-protected
Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. Students will work in pairs
or teams for most of the program. (Ages 11 – 14) Cost: $139
SVCC Room 3K02
Scholarships available - contact Brenda Helms at brenda.helms@svcc.edu for more information.
Black Rocket Classes - Online
Meet our partner
Black Rocket Black Rocket provides unique enrichment and educational programs in partnership with schools across the country. Distinctive camps in the creative sciences, gaming and digital arts focus on the intersection of creativity and technology. Each camp emphasizes self-empowerment, cognitive reasoning, teamwork and divergent thinking through hands-on learning.
Please click here to register for Black Rocket classes.
College for Kids Instructors wanted at Sauk Valley Community College. Share your knowledge and enrich lives virtually or on campus.
Contact
Brenda Helms
Director of Business Training and Community Education
815-835-6212
brenda.helms@svcc.edu