After School Programs
At a glance
-
Splat Lab is an enrichment class that was created for the sole purpose of having fun! Through STEAM inspired activities, kids problem solve, explore and feel a sense of belonging in the group.
-
Splat Lab is an enrichment program that provides unique STEAM and social studies classes to youth across New York City.
Our team of progressive educators seeks to foster youth exploration and build a sense of community with each unique group we work with. We build our own culture and ensure that kindness and tolerance are at the forefront of everything we do. Youth voice and choice are central to every activity.
Our arts based activities are always process over product, giving youth space to problem solves and create their own work. Educators guide youth to find their own answers and determine how they want to work with materials available.
Our classes rarely have issue with behavior and we know this has to do with the DNA of our classes. Not only are youth highly engaged in project work but they feel a sense of belonging and safety in the class. We are totally strength based and #ProWeird and #ProNerd all day!
-
Set up a call with our program director
Pick curriculum
Set up dates and schedule with program director (prefer a 2 week lead time)
We arrive with all the curriculum and materials
PTA programs are $22 per student per class with a one time $22 per student materials fee per student, DYCD Programs and Charter Schools are $270 flat rate for an hour class
-
Our school day workshops push into your existing school schedule. We modify workshops to suit the school day environment by creating engaging slides with dramatic photos and images, custom designed handouts and unique colorful materials. We differentiate our lessons to fit the culture of the school, ability of the students and age group. Our large pool of educators can work in multiple classrooms at one time and we’ve been known to service schools that have over 20 classes in one day.
We have workshops that fit into the NYS scope and sequence for all grade levels but our classes take a unique spin and offer content and projects most teachers aren’t doing in their classroom. Check out our workshops on China, Egypt, and ancient civilizations.
We also have totally unique classes that fit into social studies or ELA classes that are outside of the required content but offer engaging enrichment. Check out our workshops on Flags, Native code talkers and Mexican folk art.
After School Programs
After School Programs
After school is a special time for youth to explore their interests, build relationships, and have enriching experiences outside of the school day curriculum. Interested in bringing our workshops to your program? We customize our courses to fit into your existing after-school structure and schedule. We work with PTA run programs, DYCD funded programs, Charter Schools and Private Schools.
Just select the courses you are interested in and add us to your schedule like you would soccer or theater. Our curriculum is differentiated for each age group. We serve 3K-6th grade!
Courses
-
Splat Lab (3K/4K)
Every workshop has 4 different stations like: Oobleck, Tumi Blocks, Spider Puppets, and Dot Art. We have hundreds of different stations that we mix and match. Kids love it! Our preschool stations are very sensory-focused and help young ones with fine motor skills through mixed-media projects that include things like threading, beading, stacking, cutting, and drawing. Everything is very colorful and playful!
-
Splat Lab (K - 8)
Every workshop has 4 different stations like: Slime, Cup Towers, Bling Chains, and Rainbow Station. We have hundreds of different projects that we mix and match. Kids love it!
3rd to 5th graders have access to our PaperWorks™ station which features fun options like comic making, origami, and pixel art. Everything is very fun, colorful, and challenging.
Middle School programming features the messy and creative projects we are known for but folds into more complex projects like slingshot cars, catapults, zines, and complex slimes.
-
Mummy Madness - Ancient Egypt (K-8)
In Mummy Madness youth will explore cultural artifacts and rituals of Ancient Egypt. Through hands-on art projects, youth will learn about Egyptian design motifs by investigating Ammut the Demon, dive into the elaborate burial process and how to protect a mummy by studying and making Amulets and Canopic jars, and even be given an introduction to hieroglyphics by creating their own Cartouche, a carving with special protective elements used by Pharaohs.
-
Awesome Aztecs - Mexico (K - 8)
Through this course, students will discover the history of Indigenous Mexico and the surrounding areas. Projects will emphasize process over product and youth will be encouraged to discuss their ideas while engaging in hands-on activities such as Mayan Scrolls, Textile Study, Alebrijes (Oaxacan animal sculptures), collaborative "Jade" crafts, and Day of the Dead Arts.
We push into the existing after-school, school day, and summer programs. Sessions can run for 45 - 60 or 90 minutes depending on your needs. We are flexible and can start anytime whether it’s during the school day, after school, or summer. Our classes are very popular with all age groups including Pre-K/K to 6th grade. We can modify all of our projects to work with the unique culture and age of each school community we partner with.
Flow of a Splat Lab Class
-
In Splat Lab, each session features a cool main project called the “Main Splat” such as making slime, cloud clay, and rain jars. While some students work in the Main Splat area, others are rotating around the “Open Splat” stations of their choice. These are fun, youth-directed areas that change every week. Some favorites are pipe cleaner puppets, secret messages, cup castles, and rainbow area.
-
Youth enter the classroom and form a community circle. Circles are an important aspect of our democratic, community based culture. In circle, all youth and adults sit on the floor and are considered equal and all voices are important. The educator will then introduce the topic of study by sharing colorful photos that youth may touch, examine and question. After ideas are shared, students then choose an activity area to work on while traditional music plays. Books and extensions are always an option. At the close of class, students work together for community clean up and closing circle. In closing circle we show our work, share ideas and give each other shout outs.
-
Our class is a community and everyone is equal. Every student's ideas are important and valued. We often work together on collaborative projects to make jewelry, give presentations and teach back new knowledge. We close every unit by celebrating our time together, sharing what we learned and how we have grown.
-
Anthropologists are learning all the most important 21st century skills in every class! They are problem solving, thinking critically, practicing social emotional skills, collaborating and presenting their work. They are also learning some serious content! How many elementary students can name language spoken in Pakistan (Urdu) or the elements of ancient pueblo pottery design?