Plano's Family Guide

Apr. 29th - Dec. 31st

Learn From the Best Anywhere, Anytime - Full Scholarships Available

Key Features of Self-Paced Learning With Digital Media Academy:

Learn anywhere, any time
Progress at your own pace
No pre-requisites
No special software or hardware required
Access the same courses presented by Digital Media Academy at prestigious universities around the world
Courses are aligned with global standards
Receive a Digital Media Academy certificate upon completion
What's better than attending an innovative digital media or technology course at a prestigious university campus like Stanford University? Doing so in your own home, at your own pace.

Whether you live in a time zone that makes attending a live Digital Media Academy course difficult, or you want the freedom to move more quickly or slowly through the material, Digital Media Academy's self-paced digital media and technology courses might be just what you're looking for.

Developed by industry and curriculum experts, and tested and proven by over 500,000 students throughout the past 20 years, these courses allow young learners to explore their passions and develop 21st century skills.

Although these courses have traditionally been delivered live and in-person on North America's most prestigious university campuses, the self-paced format allows students aged 5 to 18 the world over to experience Digital Media Academy's unique educational offerings.

Not only that, but after the great success of the spring break virtual camp scholarship program, Digital Media Academy is offering Ten Thousand FULL scholarships for talented students who would benefit from a self-paced learning experience.

Why Self-Paced Learning?

Studies have shown that when students are given the ability to decide for themselves how much time to spend learning new material, they perform better because they are able to focus their efforts on concepts they find personally challenging.

Digital Media Academy recognizes the advantage of a self-paced format not only for student performance, but for accessibility as well. Knowing that not every student lives close to a campus where courses are offered, or even in a convenient time zone to attend a virtual course, Digital Media Academy wanted to offer the same high quality of digital media and technology education that has been delivered live for the past 20 years in a format that would ensure as many young learners as possible would have access to it.

The self-paced format allows learners of all backgrounds to enrich their learning, explore potential career paths, ignite their passion and build a foundation of knowledge and skills that are not only exciting but in-demand.

What to Expect from a Self-Paced Tech Course at Digital Media Academy

With over self-paced 30 courses available across 6 categories, there is sure to be something that piques the interest of the young learner in your life. Courses are available for ages 5-8, 9-12 and 13-18, in the following categories:

Digital Storytelling
Game Development
Creative Design
Computer Science + AI
Robotics + Engineering
Business + Entrepreneurship
Each course has 5 or 6 modules, and requires an average of 12-15 hours to complete. While participants are given three months to work through the course at their own pace, a particularly motivated learner could complete a course in a matter of days. It all depends on the learner's schedule, preferences and needs.

No special equipment is required, and if a participant has questions, they can ask a virtual teacher. Learning and progress will be assessed through automated quizzes and assignments.

Upon completion of a course, learners will receive certificates demonstrating their achievement, which include the seal of alignment with the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).

Who Should Consider a Self-Paced Course?

Digital Media Academy's courses enhance students' academic opportunities by offering research-based, 21st century learning in areas like game design, coding, animation, and other subjects that aren't always comprehensively covered in school.

Our self-paced courses are designed for young learners aged 5 to 18 with an aptitude for digital media or tech subjects who would benefit from gaining a foundation of understanding in that subject.

Course options include:

Ages 9-12:

Encryption, Cyphers and Digital Detectives
Design Challenges
Fun With Robots
And more
Ages 13-18:

App Designer Studio
Introduction to 3D Modeling in Tinkercard
Show and Tell: Script and Storyboard
And more
Do you know a self-motivated young learner whose interest might be sparked by an engaging digital media or technology foundation course offered by a certified, trusted and proven education institution?

Don't miss this opportunity to inspire them!

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May. 6th - Aug. 14th

Sail into LEGOLAND Discovery Center Dallas/ Fort Worth for the 'Pirates AHOY!' event! Discover a treasure hunt of activities!

During this limited-time event, you can join the pirate crew and take the ultimate pirate challenge through scavenger hunts to find buried treasure, team LEGO builds, and more! You can even explore Pirate Beach, our outdoor splashpad!

The pirates are washing ashore May 6th, 2022 and heading back out to sea August 14th, 2022

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May. 30th - Aug. 9th

Dive into a world of bright colors with color crafts, games, color-changing experiments, an exclusive Wednesday activity, and lots of swimming!

Dates for Spring Break Camp at the Apex Centre: March 7-11

Ages: 5-12

Times: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Early drop-off: 7 - 8 a.m. | $20 / session
Late pick-up: 5 - 6 p.m. | $20 / session
Cost for the Camp:

Member & Non-member: $250


WEEK DATES THEME
Week 1: May 30 - June 3: Under the Sea
Week 2: June 6 - June 10: Secret Agent
Week 3: June 13 - June 17: Once Upon a Time Movies
Week 4: June 20 - June 24: Tropical Paradise
Week 5: June 27 - July 1: Party in the USA
Week 6: July 5 - July 8: (No camp on July 4) Winter in July
Week 7: July 11 - July 15: Rainforest Adventure
Week 8: July 18 - July 22: Wacky Wardrobes
Week 9: July 25 - July 29: Around the World
Week 10: August 1 - August 5: Teams Challenge

Single-Day Camps before the 2022-23 school year starts too!
August 8,9 * 8AM-5pm * $60 Member & Non-member

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May. 30th - Aug. 22nd

6-days. 3- Hours/Day! $500

1-day "Drop In Sessions" (Call for more information ) $100/day

Call us for Sibling Discount Code!

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Jun. 3rd - Aug. 14th

Join the Crew & Find the Treasure!
Avast me hearties! Captain Careless and his crew of salty sea dogs have taken over SEA LIFE Aquarium and they want you to join them for a high seas adventure!

Follow the pirate activity map through each exhibit and you'll find treasure waiting for you at the end
Search the Touchpool to see if you can find a gold doubloon
Try your hand at Pin The Patch on The Pirate

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Jun. 6th - Aug. 5th

STEM Camps: Campers entering 1st-4th grade in the fall work in our STEM classrooms on experiments and activities that introduce them to working in a lab as a scientist. They explore themes each week including astronomy, biology, chemistry and robotics. All activities are hands-on with an emphasis on discovery!
MAKER Camps: Campers entering 5th-6th grade step into our MakerSpace workshop to experience engineering and building with hand tools. Campers can use hand tools for woodworking, learn to code and program, assemble and program circuitry, and engineer mechanical devices.

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Jun. 6th - Aug. 12th

STEM Camp days are filled with hands-on science activities. This summer, while we will continue to encourage sharing ideas and discoveries!
While lessons are TEKS aligned, the focus is placed on the scientific process of experimentation and discovery. Campers learn the 'how' and the 'why' along with the 'what'. We love it when something doesn't work the first time. It means we get to try again!

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Jun. 6th - Aug. 8th

STEM Camp days are filled with hands-on science activities. This summer, while we will continue to encourage sharing ideas and discoveries!

While lessons are TEKS aligned, the focus is placed on the scientific process of experimentation and discovery. Campers learn the 'how' and the 'why' along with the 'what'. We love it when something doesn't work the first time. It means we get to try again!

Week long camps!
Grades 1st-6th

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Jun. 27th - Jul. 8th

Students will be working on art projects, various dancing techniques, singing techniques, & writing their own story!
If time allows for the duration of Camp ACT has scheduled a field trip and a Hawaiian Falls Swim Day.

Visit our website for more information.
Plano Residents are Free
Non-Plano Residents are eligible for a $100 discount till April 15th, 2022

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Jul. 3rd - 30th

Sherwood Forest Campers will experience many of the skills and trades of the Medieval era, which means making things with their own hands not drawing a picture on your screen with their fingers!
Disclaimer: Sherwood Forest Summer Camp is fraught with confrontations between Robin and his Merry Folk, the Sheriff and his deputies, and the Fae Folk. It is possible campers may be called on to help Robin defend Sherwood Keep!

New this year- The Tournament of Champions!
What is the Tournament of Champions Youth Camp?
Sherwood Forest Summer Camp has always listened to suggestions for new camp ideas. Our campers have been asking for a new experience to add on to what they have been learning and doing during youth camp. We have decided to add a fourth week built on a completely different model. Our campers will be part of a clan working together with a leader to learn new skills and complete a special challenge or competition.
Which clan will your camper be a part of:

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