IMPORTANT - Register your child for the grade they are CURRENTLY enrolled in for the 2020/2021 school year. If you register for the wrong age group we cannot guarantee enrollment. Click HERE for more information about our 2021 Summer Program and Policies and COVID Precautions.
ABOUT Design at Advent
Each summer, Advent’s SMART Lab is transformed into a makerspace where children from around the world become designers, tinkerers, and builders. The Advent School summer program offers three completely unique two-week sessions for children ages 5 through 12.
Designers begin each session by sorting through recycled materials, learning proper tool use, and engaging in the design process. Each day, the designers and faculty set out to explore the city, play games, and gather inspiration. On the last Friday of each session, the designers share their creations and prototypes with friends and family at the Design Expo. More information to come.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Advent’s summer program is grounded in the School’s mission. We believe:
- All children are creative problem solvers
- In the importance of collaboration
- Boston is an extension of the classroom, which helps children identify the needs of their communities and find inspiration
SUMMER 2021 THEMES
June 21 to July 2nd - Make it Massive
Inspired by the engineers at Science Max, designers in this session will:
EXPLORE engineering concepts like tension, compression, and stability.
Push experiments and designs until they crumble or explode -- FAILURE is the goal!
COLLABORATE and BUILD enormous structures and pedal-powered machines.
July 12th - July 23rd - City in the Clouds
IMAGINE...Boston has taken to the clouds. What does the city look like? Do cars fly? What about people? The possibilities are endless. Designers in this session will:
INVESTIGATE renewable resources and how they influence design.
EXPLORE futuristic transportation, from autonomous vehicles to flying taxis, and hyper-speed subway systems.
CREATE multifunctional clothing that can lift you to new heights
July 26th to August 6th - Toys in Motion
Inspired by Israeli artist, Noga Elhassid and the Moving Toy Workshop, designers in this session will:
DECONSTRUCT toys to investigate what makes them work.
EXPLORE the physics behind the movement.
CREATE animated toys using cranks, cams, cogs, and wind.
HOURS
Drop Off: 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Program: 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Pick Up: 4:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Extended Day: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
PROGRAM FEES: If registering after March 19, fees are due within 2weeks of the registration date.
Advent Families: $1,200 per child, per session
Greater Community: $1,350.00 per child, per session
Extended Day Cost: $20 per day
LOCATION
This year, our Design at Advent Summer Program will operate at both of Advent's buildings to allow for physical distancing. Drop off, program, pick up, and extended care will take place at:
- West Cedar Street Campus (formerly known as the SmartLab)
99 W Cedar Street, Boston, MA 02114
- The Advent School
15 Brimmer Street, Boston, MA 02114
*More information to come on campus assignments for the designers.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE
JUNIOR DESIGNERS (5 AND 6-YEAR-OLDS BY SEPTEMBER 1, 2021)
Reggio-inspired, the Junior Designers program provides ample opportunities for the exploration of scientific concepts and the creation of new theories. Open-ended questions invite the Junior Designers to engage with materials in innovative ways, while the design process helps extend their thinking through problem-solving.
Student to Staff Ratio: 9:1
SENIOR DESIGNERS (7 TO 8-YEAR-OLDS BY SEPTEMBER 1, 2021)
The design process is a central focus for the Senior Designers. Identifying the problem, generating solutions, and exchanging feedback are all steps that aid in the building, testing, and creation of a final prototype. Senior Designers learn proper power tool use and create with a vast array of materials.
Student to Staff Ratio: 10:1
DESIGN LEADERS (9 TO 12-YEAR-OLDS BY SEPTEMBER 1, 2021)
Combining the principles of design with leadership skills, the Design Leaders teach and support others on their journey through the design process. As they create, the Leaders share their knowledge with the younger designers. Trips into the community and visits from guest speakers extend the learning and provide material for new leadership opportunities.
Student to Staff Ratio: 10:1
WHAT TO BRING
The Advent School’s facilities are nut-free.
Please send your child to Advent with the following items every day:
- Backpack: Your child will carry their items with them on outings
- A nut-free nutritious lunch and at least two nut-free snacks with any necessary utensils. The Advent School campus is entirely nut - peanut and tree nut - free.
- Refillable water bottle
- Closed-toed comfortable walking shoes: We work with tools and messy things!
- Sunscreen already applied for the day, and for application throughout the day.
- Weather appropriate clothing that can get dirty
- Change of clothes - accidents happen.
- At least 2 additional masks each day.
A TYPICAL DAY
8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Morning Exploration
9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. Morning Meeting
9:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Morning Snack
9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Design Challenges/Skill Building/Free Design
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch and Recess at The Esplanade or Splash Pad
1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Design Challenges/Free Design/Collaborative Projects
3:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. Afternoon Snack
3:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Design Videos
4:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. Dismissal
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Extended Day (additional fee)