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Summer Learning: Current 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Grade Students

Middle School Summer Learning— Career Exploration Camp!

Schedule

  • Monday-Thursday, June 23 - July 17, 2025
    • No school on Fridays
    • No school Friday, July 4, 2024

  • Learning hours from 8:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

  • Location: Francis C. Hammond Middle School
    • 4646 Seminary Rd., Alexandria, VA 22304
Point of Contact:

We are very excited to continue using a fun and inventive program this year for summer learning. Current students in grades 5, 6, 7 and 8 will have a theme this year of Career Exploration Camp using hands-on, project-based Engineering is Everywhere modules. English Language support will be provided within the program.

Energy Cluster

  • Here Comes the Sun: Engineering Insulated Home- In this unit, kids use their green engineering skills to insulate a model home. 

Health Science Cluster

  • Outbreak Alert: Engineering a Pandemic Response- Youth will become biomedical engineers as they explore how to prepare for outbreaks of highly contagious diseases. They will use the Engineering Design Process to design an antiviral to stop a newly discovered virus from infecting a model cell.

Architecture and Construction Cluster

  • Shake Things Up: Engineering Earthquake Resistant Buildings- In this unit, kids will engineer model buildings that are earthquake resistant. They’ll also develop building codes that help others build earthquake-resistant structures

STEM Cluster

  • The Sky’s the Limit: Engineering Flying Technologies- In this unit, kids dive into aeronautical engineering by designing models of flying technologies that help NASA collect aerial photographs. Kids will learn that scientists and engineers often study harsh environments here on Earth (like the largest desert in the world, the Empty Quarter) to understand the environments they might encounter in space.

Information Technology

  • Light Up the Night: Engineering Electrical Circuits - This unit guides students through engineering activities as they explore circuits and sculpting materials. Kids then use their creativity and knowledge of electrical engineering to design a light display that replicates the colors and patterns of the Northern Lights.

Manufacturing Cluster

  • Plants to Plastics:  Engineering BioPlastics- In this unit, students will gain an understanding of how the world is filling up with plastics that aren’t biodegradable. Students learn about bioplastics, a possible solution to the plastic problem. They then use each step of the Engineering Design Process as they become chemical engineers and design their own bioplastics.

TRANSPORTATION, DISTRIBUTION, & LOGISTICS CLUSTER

  • Its About Time: Engineering Timers- Students participating in this unit will become mechanical engineers by using the Engineering Design Process to engineer timers. The will learn that time is always marching forward, but it can be difficult or impossible to keep track of it without engineered technologies such as clocks and timers. 

MARKETING CLUSTER

  • It's in the Bag: Engineering Bio-inspired Gear- Youth will look at examples of camouflage, protection, and bioluminescence in nature to engineer bio-inspired bags or packs for a client. They become materials engineers as they explore the properties of materials and use the Engineering Design Process to create a marketing campaign to meet their client’s unique criteria and constraints.

EDUCATION and TRAINING CLUSTER

  • Put a Lid on It: Engineering Safety Helmets- When people bike, board, or play ball, they wear a helmet to keep them safe. But how do helmets work? Students participating in this unit learn how different types of helmets are constructed and how they protect the brain. They then use each step of the Engineering Design Process as they become biomechanical engineers and design their own helmet to crash test. Students will create an education and training program for potential customers.

ARTS and VIDEO COMMUNICATION CLUSTER

  • Engineering a Video Production Activity- In this unit, students will take the concepts learned in It's in the Bag: Engineering Bio-inspired Gear and Put a Lid on It: Engineering Safety Helmets activities and create a short video to communicate the marketing, education, and training associated with sports equipment usage.

LAW & PUBLIC SAFETY CLUSTER

  • Career Exploration Activities- Students will be introduced to guest speakers from the Alexandria City Police, Fire, and Rescue departments. This experience will allow students to learn about the various jobs and gain an understanding of the education needed to pursue a career in Law and Public Safety.  Additionally, students will be able to see emergency vehicles and the demonstrations of equipment associated with this important career field.

GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION CLUSTER

  • Career Cluster Activities- Explore government and public administration jobs, duties, skills, educational requirements, worker traits, and more with engaging activities for career cluster exploration.

HUMAN SERVICES CLUSTER

  • Testing the Waters: Engineering a Water Reuse Process- Life on Earth requires access to clean water, and as populations grow, the demand for water increases. Students participating in this activity become water resource engineers as they use the steps of the Engineering Design Process to design creative ways to reuse water. 

HOSPITALITY & TOURISM CLUSTER

  • Now You’re Cooking: Designing Solar Ovens Green Engineering- Collect and analyze data to compare how different materials perform as thermal insulators and conductors. Then follow the steps of the Engineering Design Process to imagine, plan, create, and improve the thermal insulation for their own solar ovens.

AGRICULTURE CLUSTER

  • Growing Up: Engineering Vertical Farms Agricultural Engineering- It takes a lot of land to feed the world’s population—since we can’t continue to grow out, why not grow up? Students participating in this unit will become agricultural engineers as they use the Engineering Design Process to design a vertical farm to feed a community.

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT CLUSTER

  • Budget Game- This unit fosters critical thinking and decision-making skills for informed financial choices. Students learn about personal budgeting, saving, responsible credit management, and enhancing their quality of life. Game topics provide a full picture of personal finance management.

FINANCE CLUSTER

  • Stock Market Game- The Stock Market Game allows students to engage in hands-on experiences managing a virtual investment portfolio. Students will explore a range of trading options including real-time prices for US stocks, bonds, mutual funds, crypto, and international exchanges.

Avid excel summer bridge

Schedule
  • Monday-Thursday, June 23 - July 17, 2025
    • No school on Fridays
    • No school Friday, July 4, 2024

  • Learning hours from 8:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

  • Location: Francis C. Hammond Middle School
    • 4646 Seminary Rd., Alexandria, VA 22304
Point of Contact:

This program is for CURRENT Grade 5 AVID students ONLY. Students will meet their new AVID family peers and collaborate with their future AVID Excel teacher during this two week onboarding summer bridge experience. During this time, students will learn and practice various language and literacy routines expected by the AVID Excel curriculum. Foundational Excel practices and college and career readiness exploration will be included to inspire and motivate students in their quests to become committed AVID Scholars and successful middle school students who are prepared to use WICOR (writing inquiry collaboration , organization and reading)as they take on the rigors of middle school.

Summer Instrumental Music Camp

Schedule
  • Monday-Thursday, July 7- July 17, 2025
    • 2 weeks total
    • No school on Fridays
    • No school Friday, July 4, 2024

  • Learning hours from 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

  • Location: Alexandria City High School (King Street campus
    • 3330 King St., Alexandria, VA 22302

Eligible Students: CURRENT 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th or 8th graders (who play a band or orchestra instrument during the school year)

Point of Contact:

This program is for current fourth-eighth (rising fifth-ninth) grade students who participate in instrumental music during the school year. It will be offered July 7-17, 2025, Monday-Thursday. Students will meet each day at Alexandria City High School for level-appropriate instrumental music instruction. Camp will conclude with a final performance on Thursday, July 17. 

Students who rent a school-provided instrument will coordinate with their current music teacher to keep their instrument over the summer.

Summer Theatre & Dance Camp

Schedule
  • Monday-Thursday, June 30 - July 17, 2025
    • 3 weeks total
    • No camp on Fridays
  • Learning Hours: 8:45 am - 1:00 pm
  • Location: Francis C. Hammond Middle School
    • 4646 Seminary Rd., Alexandria, VA 22304

Eligible Students: CURRENT 6th, 7th, or 8th graders

Point of Contact:

This program is for current sixth-eighth grade students (rising seventh-ninth) and is offered June 30-July 17, 2025, Monday-Thursday. Students will meet each day at Francis C. Hammond Middle School. Students will have the opportunity to learn about stage-acting and movement, as well as some technical theater elements. They will also be exposed to multiple forms of dance, including ballet, modern, and jazz. Students will work collaboratively to rehearse, prepare, and perform a review of what they learn on Thursday, July 17. 

Students must register for all three weeks.

 

Dual Language Summer Bridge

Schedule
  • Monday-Thursday, July 7 - July 17, 2025
    • No school on Fridays 
    • Learning hours from 8:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 
  • Location: Francis C. Hammond Middle School
    • 4646 Seminary Rd., Alexandria, VA 22304
Point of Contact:

The Dual Language Summer Bridge is a two-week enrichment program designed for current 5th grade students who will be entering the Dual Language Program in 6th grade at George Washington Middle School or Francis C. Hammond Middle School. This program is delivered in Spanish, aiming to “bridge” students’ Spanish language and literacy skills over the summer as they prepare for middle school.

Additionally, the Dual Language Summer Bridge serves as a summer enrichment experience that enhances students’ Spanish proficiency through the exploration of the histories, geographies, and environments of Spanish-speaking countries not covered during the elementary Summer Language Academy. 

Please note that program capacity will depend on staffing availability and student registration. 

Health & PE 9 (For current Gr. 8 Students ONLY).

Please visit the High School Summer Learning page for more information.