Elementary Classes
Our elementary classes are designed for students ages 5 through 5th grade and offer engaging, hands-on opportunities to explore, learn, and create. Please read each individual class description carefully for specific details, age guidance, and any important class information. The class PDF’s reflect the full schedule and California State Standards met through each class.
Junior Scientists
Junior Scientists is offered in 5-week segments, each with its own unique theme to explore. Want to join in on more than one adventure? Just be sure to register separately for each of the three fun-filled units! When you register, you can choose the time that works best for your family, morning or afternoon.
Tuition: $200 per segment ($40 per class)
Schedule: Download the Class PDF for Exact Dates
AM Class: 9:00 AM–11:00 AM
PM Class: 11:30 AM–1:30 PM
Location:
Prunedale Youth Center
17890 Moro Rd, Salinas, CA 93907
Fall Segment 1: Art Science
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In this creative, hands-on segment, Young Scientists will explore the connection between art and science through color, light, shape, movement, nature, and observation. Each class encourages curiosity, creativity, and scientific thinking as students investigate how artistic expression can help us better understand the world around us.
Fall Segment 2: Reptiles
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Young Scientists will discover the amazing world of reptiles by learning what makes a reptile unique, how they survive in different habitats, how they grow and behave, and why conservation matters. This segment offers a closer look at these fascinating animals and the important roles they play in nature.
Fall Segment 3: Forest ecosystems & survival skills
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In this nature-based segment, Young Scientists will explore forest habitats, food webs, animal signs, and the skills living things use to survive. Through engaging lessons on shelter, navigation, and ecosystem connections, students will build a deeper appreciation for forests and the life they support.
Spring Segment 1: Science of Flight
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In this high-flying, hands-on segment, Young Scientists will explore the science of flight through forces, wings, lift, drag, thrust, animal flight, and biomimicry. Each class encourages curiosity, problem-solving, and scientific thinking as students investigate how objects and living things move through the air and use engineering skills to design, test, and improve their own flying creations.
Spring Segment 2: How My Body Works
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In this body-focused, hands-on segment, Young Scientists will explore how the human body works through cells, tissues, body systems, nutrition, blood flow, oxygen, breathing, the brain, senses, and reactions. Each class encourages curiosity, observation, and scientific thinking as students investigate how different parts of the body work together to help us move, grow, respond, and stay healthy.
Spring Segment 3: Inventors Lab
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In this inventive, hands-on segment, Young Scientists will explore the engineering design process through problems and solutions, building basics, strong structures, movement, testing, and improvement. Each class encourages creativity, problem-solving, and scientific thinking as students design, build, test, and refine their own creations while discovering how inventors turn ideas into working solutions.
Science Tuesdays
Science Tuesday is offered in 5-week segments, each with its own unique theme to explore. Want to join in on more than one adventure? Just be sure to register separately for each of the three fun-filled units! When you register, you can choose the time that works best for your family, morning or afternoon.
Fee: $200 per segment ($40 per class)
Schedule: Tuesdays, Download the Class PDF for Exact Dates.
AM Class: 9:00 AM–11:00 AM
PM Class: 11:30 AM–1:30 PM
Location:
Prunedale Youth Center
17890 Moro Rd, Salinas, CA 93907
Fall Segment 1: Bugs, Slugs & Critters
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Students will explore the fascinating world of insects, slugs, and other small creatures through observation, discussion, and hands-on activities. Along the way, they will learn where these critters live, how they help or harm their environments, and why they play an important role in local ecosystems.
Fall Segment 2: Marine Science
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In this ocean-themed segment, students will dive into the wonders of marine life and coastal ecosystems. Topics include tides, waves, algae, marine mammals, reptiles, fish, and invertebrates, helping students better understand the ocean and the living things that depend on it.
Fall Segment 3: Earths wild side (volcanos, earthquakes, storms)
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This segment introduces students to the powerful forces that shape our planet. Through engaging lessons and activities, students will explore Earth’s layers, volcanoes, earthquakes, and severe weather while building a deeper understanding of the natural processes that make Earth dynamic and ever changing.
Spring Segment 1: From Sparks to Sounds
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Students will explore energy through light, shadows, sound, and motion using observation, discussion, and hands-on activities. Along the way, they will investigate how energy moves and changes, experiment with the properties of light and sound, and discover how these forms of energy shape the world around us.
Spring Segment 2: Animal Superpowers
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In this wild, hands-on segment, Young Scientists will explore amazing animal “superpowers” through strength, speed, survival skills, super senses, defenses, camouflage, and invisibility. Each class encourages curiosity, observation, and scientific thinking as students investigate how animals use special adaptations to move, hide, protect themselves, find food, and survive in their environments.
Spring Segment 3: Prehistoric Life
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In this prehistoric, hands-on segment, Young Scientists will explore ancient life through dinosaurs, marine giants, Ice Age mammals, fossils, flying reptiles, and ancient birds. Each class encourages curiosity, observation, and scientific thinking as students investigate the incredible creatures that lived long ago and discover how fossils help us understand Earth’s prehistoric past.
Art Classes
Each five-week elementary art segment invites young artists to explore their creativity through themed projects inspired by nature and the world around them, using a variety of art mediums. In these 1.5-hour classes, students will build artistic skills through hands-on instruction while engaging with topics that spark curiosity, observation, and imagination. Students are encouraged to experiment, problem-solve, and grow in confidence as they create unique artwork inspired by the beauty and wonder of the natural world.
Fee: $150/segment Schedule: 2:15pm-3:45pm on Tuesdays
Location:
Prunedale Youth Center
17890 Moro Rd, Salinas, CA 93907
Fall Segment 1: Earth in Color
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This five-week art segment invites younger students to explore the beauty and power of our planet through projects inspired by Earth’s natural systems. Using a variety of art mediums, students may draw inspiration from landforms, oceans, weather, rocks, volcanoes, and seasonal change while building artistic skills through hands-on creation. Students are encouraged to experiment, and grow in confidence as they connect art with the natural world.
Fall Segment 2: Maps, Places and Exploration
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This five-week art segment invites students to explore geography and the world around them through creative, hands-on projects. Inspired by maps, landscapes, biomes, trails, landmarks, and local geography, students will build artistic skills while learning to notice and appreciate the places that shape our lives. In a supportive environment, students are encouraged to imagine, observe, and create artwork that reflects exploration, curiosity, and connection to the world around them.
Fall Segment 3: Nature Patterns and Textures
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This five-week art segment invites students to look closely at the details of nature through projects inspired by patterns, textures, and natural materials. Drawing from examples such as leaves, bark, shells, feathers, weather patterns, and land and water textures, students will strengthen their artistic skills while exploring the beauty and variety of the world around us. This segment encourages creativity, observation, and confidence as students experiment with different materials and artistic techniques.
Spring Segment 1: Light, Shadow and Sound: Art in Motion
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This five-week art segment invites students to explore how light, shadow, sound, and movement can inspire creative expression. Through hands-on projects, students may experiment with reflections, silhouettes, color, rhythm, balance, and motion while working with a variety of art mediums and techniques. In a supportive environment, students are encouraged to observe, experiment, and create artwork that brings energy, sound, and movement to life.
Spring Segment 2: Natures Superheroes: Art Inspired by the Natural World
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This five-week art segment invites students to explore the remarkable plants, animals, and natural systems found in the world around them. Inspired by camouflage, adaptation, habitats, patterns, and other extraordinary features of nature, students will build artistic skills through creative, hands-on projects. In a supportive environment, students are encouraged to observe closely, imagine boldly, and create artwork that celebrates the beauty, strength, and ingenuity of the natural world.
Spring Segment 3: Ancient World: Art from Prehistoric Times
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This five-week art segment invites students to explore the art, symbols, materials, and stories of the prehistoric world. Inspired by cave paintings, early sculpture, ancient tools, natural pigments, and archaeological discoveries, students will experiment with a variety of artistic techniques while learning how early people used art to communicate and record their lives. In a supportive environment, students are encouraged to create, investigate, and connect with the creativity of the distant past.
Workshops
Our elementary workshops are one-time, two-hour adventures for students in grades K–5, filled with hands-on activities, creative projects, and exciting exploration of science and the natural world. Each workshop is thoughtfully crafted to be both fun and meaningful, with activities aligned to California Science Standards that spark curiosity and a love of learning. Every workshop features a unique theme, so if something catches your interest, be sure to sign up for each one separately!
Fee: $50 per workshop Schedule: Fridays, 9:00-11AM
Location:
Prunedale Youth Center
17890 Moro Rd, Salinas, CA 93907
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💡 Upcoming Workshops
August 21: Art Science
September 4: Bugs, slugs, and other small critters
September 18: Reptiles
Oct 2: Marine Science
October 16: Forest ecosystems and survival skills
November 13: Earths wild side (volcanos, earth quakes, storms)
January 22: Science of Flight
February 5: From Sparks to Sounds
February 19: How my Body Works
March 5: Animal Superpowers
March 19: Inventors Lab
April 16: Prehistoric Life