Bay Farm Classes

Want to master the secrets of the universe? Create a volcanic eruption to rival Pompeii? Pass secret messages to your friends in invisible ink? Learn how to do these and much, much, more! Junior Alchemists is designed to not only pique an interest in scientific inquiry, but to introduce students to a deeper understanding of its development and application. We allow them to see the basic principles of science in the world around them. The course is focused on a number of experiments; they are tons of fun, visually appealing, and can safely be reproduced at home for friends and family. Some of the experiments that are part of the course include:

• Create a lava lamp
• Turn sugar into a 2 foot black snake
• Levitate a ping pong ball
• Synthesize colorful crystals from salt and sugar

Through these experiments, the instructor will teach the students about a number of scientific principles, including: chemical reactions, capillary action and Bernoulli's Principle, pressure, density, mass, volume, acids and bases

Develop skills that go beyond cartwheels and backbends. Come join the fun of combining gymnastics with acro-balancing in this class. Gymnastics will build strength, tumbling skills, and a healthy sense of self-awareness. Acro-balancing will open a world of creative interaction between students. Seasoned instructors will also focus on improving flexibility, coordination, and general fitness in a non-competitive environment.

This post-beginner/intermediate level class is for those with a solid grasp of chess fundamentals. Potential students are expected to already know: chessboard terminology and square identification; how the various pieces move and capture, plus their relative values; pawn promotion; the very crucial concepts of check, checkmate, and stalemate; the special move of castling; opening goals and principles; basic endgame checkmates using major pieces; and last, but not least, good chess etiquette. Potential students unfamiliar with more than a couple of these basic topics would probably be better off enrolling in the AEF/ACC novice/beginner level class, "Learn How to Play Chess".

AEF/ACC afterschool chess classes are divided (roughly in half) timewise between instruction and supervised play. Instruction will focus on learning tactics and strategy through the explanation of games and positions from historical players and events, and/or current top-level competitions. The instructor will organize and run an unofficial tournament during the last 4-5 weeks of this level course, with labeled medals as awards for all participants upon completion.

All enrolled students earn and accumulate points towards ACC's Royalty Loyalty Program (RLP) rewards by participating in the instruction half of class and playing with good chess etiquette afterwards. RLP rewards consist of chess-related items, including chess puzzle books and equipment.

With its nearly 1500 years of history, chess is arguably the greatest and most popular board game of all time. Numerous studies have suggested that learning & playing chess at an early age can yield various benefits regarding cognitive skills. Confidence, decision-making, and sportsmanship are other areas of potential improvement. The benefits and enjoyment of chess can last a lifetime!

This novice/beginner level class is for those completely new to the game of chess, and those who may have been introduced at home or elsewhere, but don't have a solid grasp of the fundamentals. This course may even be beneficial for younger students with previous class experience, but who have not fully learned the basics yet. Topics to be covered include: chessboard terminology and square identification; how the various pieces move and capture, plus their relative values; pawn promotion; the very crucial concepts of check, checkmate, and stalemate; the special move of castling; opening goals and principles; basic endgame checkmates using major pieces; and last, but not least, good chess etiquette. Potential students that have a solid foundation and know most, if not all, of the topics listed above, should enroll in the AEF/ACC post-beginner/intermediate level chess class, "Chess: Beyond the Basics" instead.

AEF/ACC afterschool chess classes are divided (roughly in half) timewise between instruction and supervised play. All enrolled students earn and accumulate points towards ACC's Royalty Loyalty Program (RLP) rewards by participating in the instruction half of class and playing with good chess etiquette afterwards. RLP rewards consist of chess-related items, including chess puzzle books and equipment.

With its nearly 1500 years of history, chess is arguably the greatest and most popular board game of all time. Numerous studies have suggested that learning & playing chess at an early age can yield various benefits regarding cognitive skills. Confidence, decision-making, and sportsmanship are other areas of potential improvement. The benefits and enjoyment of chess can last a lifetime!

Unlock your child’s creativity with our engaging and fun art class designed for crafters! In this hands-on course, students will explore the wonderful world of beading, hand stitching, and card making. Beading: Develop concentration and hand eye coordination while stringing bracelets, necklaces, and backpack charms. Hand Stitching: Learn basic stitches to create small fabric projects and decorative patches and pins. Card Making: Use stitched creations, stamps, and watercolors to create personalized greeting cards for any occasion. Each session is filled with exciting projects that encourage artistic expression, fine motor skills, and a sense of accomplishment.

Does your child love football? Flag Football and Fun will teach your child all about this exciting non-contact sport. Join us to learn the fundamentals of passing, catching, offensive and defensive strategy, teamwork and sportsmanship. Develop your skills in a fun environment!

What is a publicly traded company? How do you evaluate a company’s value metrics? What are trends and cycles?
How do you buy and sell stock market investments? If these are questions you have asked yourself then this camp is for you. We will go over Stock Market basics and introduce you to the world of investing.

The kids adore this fun upbeat dance class with Ms Corpuz! Enjoy the rhythm and beat of island music as they learn basic Polynesian style dance steps.

Have fun and let creativity flow with this adventure in color! Art can truly provide an outlet for self expression and discovery. In fact, it is well known that an artistic activity like painting can inspire creativity, problem solving and focus into other spheres of life. Early exposure to arts can develop into a lifelong pursuit of joy and well-being. In this series of classes, Mandar, an award winning artist based in Alameda, will provide an immersion in the key fundamentals of drawing, sketching & painting using his hands on approach. He will do demos in all his classes and encourage individuality and inspired action. The class will paint many exciting subjects including pokemon, super heroes, ninjas, dinosaurs and magical creatures. See Mandar’s art and testimonials at www.mandarfineart.com

Designed for children who want to learn to play the violin, viola or cello. In this year-long group class, students receive musical instruction and learn how to play the string instrument of their choice along with new music friends. We start from the basics - pitches, rhythms, proper technique – playing tunes in no time! As they progress, we’ll start learning how to play music together as a small ensemble. Please note: Students must provide their own instrument. Questions: deyestone@mac.com

Calling all violin, viola, cello players! This string orchestra program provides a unique and fun experience for children who already have basic string playing skills (perfect for those taking private lessons, or those who have completed the AEF Intro to Strings program). Playing with friends is a great way to boost motivation and improve skills. Please note: Students must bring their own instrument and portable music stand to our weekly rehearsals. Questions: deyestone@mac.com