Belin-Blank Center

About the Program

Enrichment Expeditions connect bright children with each other to explore their interests, both online and offline. These are not your typical Zoom class! Our expert instructors combine hands-on learning with high-quality, live, online sessions that we've designed specifically for academically talented elementary and middle school students. We send a customized fun kit straight to your door, containing all the necessary supplies. There's no need for shopping, ordering, or gathering items around your house. Expeditions in STEM, arts, and the humanities will cultivate students' interests, spark their curiosity, and increase their learning! Students do not have to be in a gifted and talented program to participate.

New evening and weekend classes will be added throughout the academic year. Dates and times for each class are listed in the Classes section below.

The Enrichment Expeditions program is designed to challenge children in their areas of interest and strength. Participants are introduced to advanced level topics and other bright kids their age. These engaging online classes are limited to 10 students, giving your child room to enjoy their instructor’s unique talents and a hands-on experience with their classmates.

Our instructors are vetted professionals, including classroom teachers, local artists, graduate students, and professors who have the expertise to delve into a subject at an advanced level, while keeping it accessible and engaging for the age group.

"It's a magical world, Hobbes, ol' buddy... Let's go exploring!"

-Bill Watterson, Calvin and Hobbes

Classes

Adventures in the Sky

Grades 2-4

December 06: 09:00AM - 12:00PM

$149

Airplanes revolutionized our ability to travel to new places around the world. Believe it or not, they are a fairly new technology. Two aviators - Bessie Coleman and Amelia Earhart - were some of the first to explore the skies using airplanes.

In this class, you will learn about these two amazing women's adventures, and the sometimes-mysterious stories told about them. This class mixes writing and STEM! We will spend half of our time exploring the structure of airplanes and how well they fly. We will spend the other half learning how to write a good story with narrative writing. When we're done, you'll get to continue the fun with your own copy of the Bessie Coleman and Amelia Earhart issue of the beautiful Bravery magazine. Writers, builders, explorers, and all lovers of adventure are encouraged to join!

“Adventure is worthwhile in itself.” - Amelia Earhart

Applications are closed.

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Bravery: Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Grades 2-4

January 24: 09:00AM - 12:00PM

$149

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a Supreme Court Justice for 27 years, passed away this year. As a lawyer and a judge, she used her voice to fight for equal rights for all people - regardless of race, gender, or ability. In this class, you will learn about Ruth Bader Ginsburg (or RBG as many call her) and her work fighting for our rights. We will focus on the writing and speaking strategies that help others want to listen to us. From writing to speaking to history and even a little bit of art, this class will cover it all! You’ll also get to continue your expedition after class ends with the Ruth Bader Ginsberg issue of the beautiful Bravery magazine. Be ready to channel your inner RBG and speak up!

Applications are closed.

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Master Mathematicians Battle Round

Grades 4-6

November 09: 04:00PM - 07:00PM

$149

Are you ready to outwit your friends and become a mathematics problem-solving master? Get your brain and buzzer set for a fun, game-filled session of math challenges and competitions. This class will teach you some of the best math problem-solving strategies and challenge you to think outside the box. You'll get your own copy of Edward Zacarro's fun book, Becoming a Problem Solving Genius.  We'll use it to help you master math using logic, "Think 1", algebra, functions, and more. The best part…you'll practice your new skills in several live-action games with buzzers, whiteboards, and lots of FUN!

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Master Mathematicians: Battle Round

Grades 4-6

November 15: 03:00PM - 06:00PM

$149

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Getting to Know Your Brain: A Crash Course in Neuroscience

Grades 5-8

November 14: 05:00PM - 06:30PM

$149

Take a peek between your ears and get to know your beautiful brain! The brain helps us experience everything in our world. From information coming in from our environment to internal memories of a fun day that happened years ago – your brain is what makes you "you"! In this class, you will explore how the brain processes sensory information and learn how different parts of the brain communicate with each other. Then, you'll use this knowledge to build your own "ideal" brain.

This class meets two times.

November 14th from 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
November 21st from 5:00 PM – 6:30 pm

Applications are closed.

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Getting to Know Your Brain: A Crash Course in Neuroscience

Grades 6-8

November 10: 05:00PM - 06:30PM

$149

This class meets two times.

November 10th from 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
November 17th from 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm

Applications are closed.

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How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse

Grades 6-8

December 05: 01:00PM - 04:00PM

$149

Do you have the skills needed to survive in a world full of Zombies? Using your Zombie Survival Kit you will navigate in a world without GPS, build a primitive tarp shelter, and learn some basic first aid. As your guide, I will teach you some of the essential skills needed to survive a Zombie Apocalypse. These skills are also very useful for wilderness and/or backyard activities like hiking, camping, scouts, geo-caching, scavenger hunts, adventure races, but more likely... surviving a zombie apocalypse!

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How to Register

Eligibility

Any child who is currently in grades 2-8 is eligible to register for Enrichment Expeditions. They do not need to be in a talented and gifted program to apply. If they are really interested in the topic and are motivated to learn online, they will feel right at home on our expeditions.

Registration Process

Here's how to register:

Identify one or more expeditions that are a good fit for your student's academic strengths and interests. Classes should be selected based on the student's grade during the current academic year.
Complete a registration form for each selected class.
If there are more eligible students than seats in a class, then students will be registered on a first-come, first-served basis and a waitlist will be generated for the class.
Submit payment.

Photos

After You've Registered

Cost & Financial Aid

Cost

The cost of joining our Expeditions varies, and the price is listed by each opportunity. We know that times are hard for many students and their families right now. Fortunately, we are committed to supporting one another, so financial aid and payment plans are available to families who qualify.

Financial Aid

You may receive financial aid for up to half the cost of the program. Awards are offered on a first-come-first-served basis, while funds are available. Qualification for free or reduced-price lunch typically determines eligibility. After reviewing your information, we will send you an email regarding any award you may receive. If you are granted financial aid, it will be applied directly to your program fees.

Payment Options

There are three options for payment of program fees:

Pay the entire amount on a credit card.
Pay in three equal monthly installments using a credit card.
Set up an individualized payment plan. Payment plans are available by contacting the Belin-Blank Center at belinblank@uiowa.edu.

Technology

Exploration Expeditions will meet via Zoom. Please make sure that that you are comfortable with this platform, and the device you plan to use is compatible.

Download Zoom

Cancellation and Refund Policies

If you must cancel, please email students@belinblank.org as soon as possible so that a student on the waiting list may attend.
We will not provide a refund for cancellations made within 10 days of the class start date.
If we must cancel a class in advance, you will receive a full refund.
If we must reschedule the start time or date of a class and your student does not attend, you will receive a full refund upon request.
If a student misses a class, we will not provide a refund.

Contact Us

Connect

students@belinblank.org belinblank@uiowa.edu

Call

1-319-335-6148
1-800-336-6463