TEENS EXPLORE CAREERS

College for Kids & Teens adds classes for high school students

Words by Brittany Dunnigan, MSUM Marketing Intern

Marketing & Communications

With an updated name, more sessions and new classes, Minnesota State University Moorhead’s College for Kids & Teens (CFK&T) has more exciting learning opportunities available this summer. Now, high school students can take age-specific classes to explore careers or develop their interests.

“I wanted to change the name (of the program) this year to reflect the age range changes. I felt that adding ‘& Teens’ would help communicate to parents and students that the program is not just for young children,” said Shireen Alemadi, director of College for Kids & Teens.

CFK&T creates a fun and exciting learning environment that plays on the interests and passions of students through a variety of course offerings. Students also get a taste for the college experience by attending classes in college classrooms and using the same technology and supplies as MSUM students.

MSUM faculty, upper-level college students and community instructors teach courses to encourage exploration, adventure and creativity. This year’s faculty includes Dr. Kenyon Williams, conductor of Fuego Tropical, and Fargo 3D Printing. The rugby class will be taught by a member of the MSUM rugby team that took third place at nationals.

More than 80 classes will be offered in morning, afternoon or all-day sessions with age-specific courses to interest students at every level. Courses offered specifically for older students this year are intended to help students explore more about what they are interested in.

“I want to provide courses that will ignite a fire in them to pursue a specific career or major,” Alemadi said.

Some of the courses specifically for high school students to be offered this summer include: Creating Video Games, Graphic Design, 3D Printing and Programming, Clay and Toy Animation, World Music, and Advanced Pottery on the Wheel.

Hands-on learning is the hallmark of CFK&T. In the Graphic Design and Creative Animation course, for example, students will create various graphic designs and computer works of art, including logo designs and T-shirt designs and stop-motion videos using state-of-the-art equipment.

A variety of classes for younger students will feature arts and crafts, fitness and sports, nature, science and technology and space exploration. Courses back by popular demand include: LEGO Robotics, Crazy Kitchen Chemistry, Cartooning and Comics, NASA Space Camp, Grossology and Pottery.

Anne Kaese’s children have been attending CFK&T for about five years. “My daughter Rebecca, 13, has focused on art, glass making and writing classes,” she said. “My son Arthur, 11, has done pottery, art and other classes, but LEGO Robotics has been his favorite. This year he is keen to try some of the technology classes.”

CFK&T’s offers a discount: Register for three courses and the fourth is FREE. This applies to all courses taken by kids in a family. In addition, students who participate in College for Kids & Teens can apply for the College for Kids & Teens Alum Scholarship. Any student who has attended CFK&T at some point in their K-12 education and chooses to attend MSU Moorhead for college, can apply for this scholarship.