Empowering 4th - 8th Grade

Gifted Homeschoolers

APPLY FOR OUR PROGAM

YHSSA

Enrichment Academy Program for Academically Gifted Students

Fall Semester Date:

Aug 4, 2026 - Future Innovators Lab

Scholars kick off the year by stepping into the world of innovation. In this high-energy STEM lab, students will explore robotics, coding foundations, engineering design thinking, and creative invention challenges. Through hands-on collaboration, they will identify real-world problems and begin developing innovative solutions, strengthening critical thinking, teamwork, and confidence as emerging problem-solvers.

Future Innovators Lab – Detailed Agenda

9:00 – 9:15 AM | Welcome & Innovation Icebreaker

Objective

Set the tone for creativity, collaboration, and confident thinking while introducing the engineering design mindset.

1. Welcome & Framing (5 minutes)

• Greet scholars at the door with confident handshakes.

• Brief overview of the day’s theme: “Innovators solve problems that matter.”

• Establish group norms: respect, creativity, teamwork, perseverance.

2. Creative Problem-Solving Warm-Up Challenge (7 minutes)

Activity: The 5-Minute Build

• Provide each small group with limited materials (index cards, tape, 10 straws, 1 sheet of paper).

• Challenge: Build the tallest free-standing structure in 5 minutes.

Debrief Questions

• What strategy did your team use?

• What worked? What didn’t?

• How did you adapt under time pressure?

Purpose: Encourage quick thinking, teamwork, and iteration.

3. Overview of the Engineering Design Process (3 minutes)

Introduce and briefly explain:

1. Ask (Identify the problem)

2. Imagine (Brainstorm solutions)

3. Plan (Design and sketch)

4. Create (Build)

5. Improve (Test and refine)

Emphasize: Failure is feedback.

9:15 – 10:15 AM | STEM Exploration Rotations

Objective

Expose scholars to multiple STEM disciplines while building foundational skills.

Divide scholars into 3 groups. Rotate every 20 minutes.

Rotation 1: Robotics Mini Build

Materials: Simple robotics kits or motorized build sets.

Activity

• Follow guided instructions to assemble a basic moving robot.

• Modify one feature (speed, direction, structure).

Extension Question

• How could this robot solve a real-world problem?

Skills Developed: Mechanical reasoning, spatial awareness, collaboration.

Rotation 2: Intro to Coding Challenge

Materials: Laptops/tablets or unplugged coding cards.

Activity Options

• Beginner block coding challenge.

• OR Unplugged coding: Create step-by-step instructions to move a “human robot” across the room.

Focus Points

• Sequencing

• Debugging mistakes

• Logical thinking

Coach scholars to identify and fix errors independently.

Rotation 3: Logic-Based Team Activity

Activity Examples

• Escape-room style logic puzzle.

• Pattern recognition challenges.

• Strategy math game.

Encourage:

• Clear communication

• Assigning team roles

• Strategic planning

Reflection Prompt:
“What was your team’s strategy?”

10:15 – 10:25 AM | Break

• Healthy snack

• Encourage informal collaboration conversations

• Light movement/stretch reset

10:25 – 11:15 AM | Innovation Challenge

Objective

Apply STEM skills to real-world problem solving.

Step 1: Identify a Real-World Problem (10 minutes)

Provide prompts such as:

• School organization problems

• Environmental challenges

• Community safety

• Helping elderly individuals

• Reducing waste

Teams must clearly define:

• Who has the problem?

• Why does it matter?

• What constraints exist?

Step 2: Brainstorm Solutions (15 minutes)

Rules:

• No criticism during brainstorming.

• Encourage wild ideas.

• Aim for quantity first.

Teams list at least 5 ideas before selecting one.

Step 3: Sketch & Plan (15 minutes)

Each team:

• Draws labeled diagram

• Lists materials needed

• Explains how it works

• Identifies potential weaknesses

Facilitator circulates and asks:

• How is your solution different?

• What might fail?

• How will you test it?

11:15 – 11:45 AM | Prototype & Test

Objective

Develop resilience and iterative thinking.

Build Phase (15 minutes)

Provide materials such as:

• Cardboard

• Tape

• Straws

• Rubber bands

• Paper cups

• String

• Craft sticks

Students build a simple working model or visual prototype.

Encourage:

• Role delegation (builder, designer, presenter, tester)

• Problem-solving under constraints

Test & Improve Round (15 minutes)

Each team:

• Demonstrates prototype

• Tests functionality

• Identifies one improvement

They must revise at least once.

Key Teaching Point:
Engineers improve, not quit.

11:45 – 12:00 PM | Reflection & Leadership Debrief

Team Presentations (10 minutes)

Each group presents:

• The problem

• Their solution

• What they improved

• One leadership strength demonstrated

Encourage confident posture and clear speaking.

Growth Mindset Discussion (5 minutes)

Facilitator-Led Questions:

• What was your biggest challenge today?

• How did your team handle disagreement?

• What does innovation require besides intelligence?

Reinforce:

• Persistence

• Teamwork

• Courage to try

• Learning from mistakes

Close with affirmation:
“Today you did not just build projects. You practiced thinking like innovators and leading like scholars.”

Sept. 1, 2026 - Leadership & Etiquette Lab -

This session focuses on cultivating leadership presence from the inside out. Scholars will develop essential skills in ethical decision-making, confidence-building, respectful communication, and professional demeanor. Through interactive role-play and guided instruction, students will practice introductions, posture, conversation skills, and digital etiquette, preparing them to lead with character and poise in academic and social settings.

Oct. 6, 2026 - The Engineer Challenge Lab 1

Students will dive into an exciting hands-on engineering competition designed to sharpen problem-solving and analytical thinking skills. Working in collaborative teams, scholars will tackle real-world design challenges that require creativity, structural planning, and resilience. Emphasis will be placed on the engineering design process, strategic thinking, and learning through iteration.

Nov 3, 2026 - Public Speaking & Team Building Lab 1

Confidence takes center stage in this dynamic leadership lab. Scholars will learn the foundations of impactful public speaking, voice projection, body language, and speech organization. Through team-building challenges and mini-presentations, students will strengthen collaboration skills while developing courage and clarity in communication.

Dec 1, 2026 - Mind Masters: Logic & Strategy Lab

This intellectually stimulating session strengthens reasoning and strategic thinking through logic puzzles, mathematical games, chess strategy, coding logic, and brain challenges. Scholars will sharpen their analytical abilities while learning how persistence, focus, and pattern recognition contribute to academic excellence.

Spring Semester Date:

Jan 5, 2027 - Young inventors Studio

Creativity meets innovation as scholars enter the Inventors Studio. Students will brainstorm, sketch, prototype, and refine original invention concepts aimed at solving real-world challenges. Emphasis will be placed on creativity, resilience, presentation of ideas, and understanding how inventors turn imagination into meaningful impact.

Feb 2, 2027 - Etiquette Outing (Cheesecake Factory )

Scholars will participate in a formal dining and social etiquette experience at The Cheesecake Factory. This immersive outing allows students to practice table manners, ordering professionally, respectful conversation, and social confidence in a real-world setting. Scholars will demonstrate professional presence, gratitude, and polished behavior while engaging in meaningful peer interaction.

Mar 2, 2027 - The Engineer Challenge Lab 2

Building on foundational skills from Lab 1, scholars will tackle a more advanced engineering challenge requiring deeper strategic planning, innovation, and teamwork. Students will apply feedback, refine design techniques, and strengthen perseverance as they test and improve their solutions under guided mentorship.

Apr 6, 2027 - Public Speaking & Team Building Lab 2

This advanced leadership lab elevates communication skills to the next level. Scholars will prepare persuasive or informative speeches, participate in structured debates, and engage in collaborative leadership simulations. Focus will be placed on confidence, articulation, critical thinking, and inspiring others through effective communication.

May 4, 2027 - The Scholars Showcase & Leadership Summit

The year culminates in a celebratory and empowering capstone experience. Scholars will present selected STEM projects, inventions, or speeches to peers and families, demonstrating their academic growth and leadership development. The Leadership Summit will include recognition, reflection activities, and a challenge for scholars to continue striving for excellence in mind, body, and character.

Our program is designed for a small group of academically gifted homeschool learners.

To maintain quality and consistency, enrollment is limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

🍂 Fall Semester 2026

August 4, 2026 | Future Innovators Lab

Agenda

9:00 – 9:15 AM | Welcome & Innovation Icebreaker
• Creative problem-solving warm-up challenge
• Overview of the engineering design process

9:15 – 10:15 AM | STEM Exploration Rotations
• Robotics mini build
• Intro to coding challenge
• Logic-based team activity

10:15 – 10:25 AM | Break

10:25 – 11:15 AM | Innovation Challenge
• Teams identify a real-world problem
• Brainstorm and sketch solution ideas

11:15 – 11:45 AM | Prototype & Test
• Build simple model
• Trial and improvement round

11:45 – 12:00 PM | Reflection & Leadership Debrief
• Team presentations
• Growth mindset discussion

September 1, 2026 | Leadership & Etiquette Lab

Agenda

9:00 – 9:20 AM | Leadership Warm-Up
• What makes a great leader discussion
• Character traits activity

9:20 – 10:15 AM | Professional Presence Workshop
• Posture and body language training
• Handshakes and introductions practice
• Eye contact and confident speaking drills

10:15 – 10:25 AM | Break

10:25 – 11:15 AM | Etiquette Essentials
• Conversation skills
• Digital etiquette
• Respectful disagreement practice

11:15 – 11:45 AM | Leadership Role-Play Scenarios
• Ethical decision-making challenges
• Group problem-solving activity

11:45 – 12:00 PM | Reflection & Personal Growth Goal Setting

October 6, 2026 | The Engineer Challenge Lab 1

Agenda

9:00 – 9:15 AM | Engineering Mindset Warm-Up

9:15 – 10:15 AM | Team Engineering Challenge Launch
• Design briefing
• Planning and blueprint creation

10:15 – 10:25 AM | Break

10:25 – 11:15 AM | Build Phase

11:15 – 11:40 AM | Testing & Redesign

11:40 – 12:00 PM | Team Presentations & Feedback

November 3, 2026 | Public Speaking & Team Building Lab 1

Agenda

9:00 – 9:20 AM | Confidence Builder Icebreaker

9:20 – 10:15 AM | Public Speaking Foundations
• Voice projection
• Body language
• Structuring a speech

10:15 – 10:25 AM | Break

10:25 – 11:15 AM | Team Challenge Activity
• Collaborative problem-solving game

11:15 – 11:45 AM | Mini Speeches
• 2–3 minute student presentations

11:45 – 12:00 PM | Encouragement Circle & Feedback

December 1, 2026 | Mind Masters: Logic & Strategy Lab

Agenda

9:00 – 9:15 AM | Brain Warm-Up Puzzles

9:15 – 10:15 AM | Logic Rotations
• Strategy games
• Math challenges
• Coding logic puzzles

10:15 – 10:25 AM | Break

10:25 – 11:15 AM | Chess & Strategic Thinking Lab

11:15 – 11:45 AM | Team Strategy Tournament

11:45 – 12:00 PM | Reflection & Critical Thinking Discussion

🌸 Spring Semester 2027

January 5, 2027 | Young Inventors Studio

Agenda

9:00 – 9:20 AM | Inventor Spotlight & Inspiration

9:20 – 10:15 AM | Brainstorm & Concept Mapping

10:15 – 10:25 AM | Break

10:25 – 11:15 AM | Prototype Building

11:15 – 11:45 AM | Product Pitch Practice

11:45 – 12:00 PM | Feedback & Improvement Plan

February 2, 2027 | Etiquette Outing at The Cheesecake Factory

Agenda

Pre-Departure Briefing (30 minutes prior)
• Dining expectations review
• Conversation practice
• Ordering etiquette walkthrough

Restaurant Experience (1.5–2 hours)
• Professional arrival and seating
• Ordering respectfully
• Practicing table manners
• Structured conversation prompts

Post-Meal Reflection (30 minutes)
• Gratitude practice
• Self-evaluation discussion
• Leadership behavior recognition

March 2, 2027 | The Engineer Challenge Lab 2

Agenda

9:00 – 9:15 AM | Advanced Engineering Strategy Session

9:15 – 10:15 AM | Challenge Brief & Planning

10:15 – 10:25 AM | Break

10:25 – 11:20 AM | Build & Midpoint Testing

11:20 – 11:45 AM | Final Testing Competition

11:45 – 12:00 PM | Performance Analysis & Reflection

April 6, 2027 | Public Speaking & Team Building Lab 2

Agenda

9:00 – 9:20 AM | Advanced Speaking Warm-Up

9:20 – 10:15 AM | Persuasive Speech Workshop

10:15 – 10:25 AM | Break

10:25 – 11:15 AM | Structured Debate or Leadership Simulation

11:15 – 11:45 AM | Formal Presentations

11:45 – 12:00 PM | Peer Feedback & Growth Goals

May 4, 2027 | The Scholars Showcase & Leadership Summit

Agenda

9:00 – 9:20 AM | Welcome & Opening Remarks

9:20 – 10:30 AM | STEM Project & Invention Showcase

10:30 – 10:40 AM | Break

10:40 – 11:20 AM | Leadership Reflection & Scholar Testimonials

11:20 – 11:50 AM | Awards & Recognition Ceremony

11:50 – 12:00 PM | Closing Charge & Celebration

Payment Options:

Option 1: Full Semester Enrollment

$300 total for all 5 months

•Paid upfront at the time of registration

Option 2: Monthly

Standard Rate: $65/month

Additional Notes:

•After application approval, your child will receive a student assessment, to be completed independently, without assistance

All supplies included and this includes 1 uniform, bookbag. Parents must buy pants for uniform and dark shoes.

*topics are subject to change