HATTERDAYS 

 an academic alternative to SATURDAYS

In response to the many requests that have been made throughout the years, we are now in our fourth year of offering HATS ("Hatterdays") during the school year. We will offer an array of classes on Saturday mornings. We look forward to seeing you! Mark your calendar!

Spring Program dates

January 30th, February 27th, March 13th, April 17th and May 22nd

We are proud to announce a full semester of classes offered for the BERETS (Beginning Enrichment Recognizing Emerging Talents) Program for gifted students in grades K-3.

Classes are held 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the Stetson University campus in DeLand, FL. Cost is $50 per class ($35 for students receiving free or reduced lunch). After attending one Hatterdays course, the cost is $45 for each class thereafter. Also, if you are registering more than one student, we offer a multiple class/sibling discount of $45 per class. Each class is an intense, hands-on academic experience - and fun! Students may register for one Saturday or multiple Saturdays. Classes vary from month to month and there is no requirement to attend more than one. We also offer a concurrent Parent Session during HATTERDAYS classes so that parents can explore issues regarding their gifted and high achieving students. There is no charge for the parent session. However, registration is required.

Space is limited! Register early!

Click here for a registration form

You will need to print out the registration form and mail it in with your payment (check or money order only - we do not take credit cards at this time)

You may register early for any classes through May. 

Click here to see our cancellation and refund policy.  

 FEBRUARY 27th Course Descriptions

Please submit your February registration forms by Friday, February 12th.  (If you are still interested in registering for February classes after this date please send an e-mail to hats@stetson.edu with the name of the class you would like to attend to check on availability.)

FEB-BER  MAGIC SCHOOL BUS - Inside the Body -HEARTS
Do you hear that?....thump, thump, thump, thump.  That’s the sound of your heart.  Have you ever thought much about your heart and how hard it works for you?  Did you know it beats about 100,000 times per day and roughly 35 million times a year?  Come and join us as we take a ride on the Magic School Bus and learn about one of the most important organs of our body – our heart.

(Grades K-3)

FEB-101  ART-TASTIC
Come and explore the science-art connection.  We are going to learn about the science behind making chalk, paint, and clay and have fun while doing it! Just like Leonardo we can be real renaissance men and women too! We’ll create some real masterpieces so bring your love of art and science.  
(Grades 4-6)   THIS CLASS IS FULL

FEB-102  ELEMENTS, FORMULAS, AND CHEMICAL EQUATIONS, OH MY!

Elements are found nearly everywhere:  in the air, the oceans, the earth and the body.  Did you know that the first periodic table of the elements was published in 1869 by a Russian scientist named Dimitry Mendeleev?  Join us as we explore the basics of classifying elements to balancing chemical equations as well as making molecules and even creating some gas along the way! 

(Grades 4-9)

 FEB-103  ANATOMY – SHEEP HEART DISSECTION

Discover the anatomy and physiology of the heart through dissection.  In this class we will investigate the structure of a sheep heart and how it relates to cardiac function.  We will learn how to properly use dissection tools, trace the flow of blood through the heart, identify major structures and learn about common diseases affecting the heart.

(Grades 6-9)

 MARCH 13th Course Descriptions

Please submit your March registration forms by Friday, February 26th.  (If you are still interested in registering for March classes after this date please send an e-mail to hats@stetson.edu with the name of the class you would like to attend to check on availability.)

MAR-BER  MAGIC TREE HOUSE- MIDNIGHT ON THE MOON

Get ready to put on your space suit and go with Jack and Annie on a special mission to the moon.  We will land at the international space station and explore the lunar surface.  Three…two…one….blast off!  Hope we can do all our exploring before the oxygen runs out of our tanks. Will the mysterious moon man be of help? Come join this special Magic tree House mission.

(Grades K-3)

 MAR-101  A SLICE OF PI

Join Sir Cumference, his wife, lady Di of Ameter, and son Radius on an extraordinary quest to discover the importance of pi.  Explore the endless impact circles have in math, science and art.  Investigate circular formulas and properties that have kept mathematicians, well, spinning in circles for centuries!

(Grades 4-6)

MAR – 102  IRISH FOLKLORE
Come explore the land of forty shades of green through history and Irish legends, learn about genealogy, and make ornate arts and crafts from the Book of Kells, the most recognized and remarkable artifact of medieval Celtic art.  We will also be sampling a wee bit of Irish food.  Cead Mile Failte!
(Grades 3-6) 

MAR – 103  ROCKET “EGG-CITEMENT”

This month the focus will be on water rockets, recovery systems and payloads!  Students will also be competing to see whose payload can be launched and retrieved successfully without damage.  Water rockets will be constructed to hold a raw egg payload, and students will be challenged to have their payload return to Earth without being damaged.  It will be a fascinating and “egg-citing” day for all who attend. 
(Grades 4-9)   

Please submit your April registration forms by Friday, April 2nd.  (If you are still interested in registering for April classes after this date please send an e-mail to hats@stetson.edu with the name of the class you would like to attend to check on availability.) 

APR-BER  Magic Tree House – Dolphins at Daybreak

Did you coral reefs are built by partners?  Would you want to live in the intertidal zone?  Come join Jack and Annie in this Magic Tree House adventure as we dive down to the middle of the ocean and explore coral reefs, meet dolphins, sharks and octopodes. It’s time to sink or swim!

(Grades K-3)

APR-101  Predators & Prey in the Ecosystem
Do you know what it’s like to be an herbivore, carnivore, omnivore or decomposer?  Find out as we learn about Florida ecosystems and the predator/prey relationships that take place.  Students will be role playing to learn important biology concepts and will have access to Florida Field Guides.  We will also have a live predator from Stetson University’s Biology department come and visit. Don’t miss out on this action packed day of biological fun!
(Grades 4-6)

APR-102  EcoChallenge!

Can you clean up an oil spill? Do you have what it takes to create a water filtration system? Are your predator instincts sharp enough to capture prey? Can you decode the acid-base mystery using natural indicators? Calling all future scientists who are ready to take on the EcoChallenge!

(Grades 4-6)

APR-103  Invasive Species

What is the difference between a non-native and invasive species?  How did they get here? Invasive species can impact our ecosystem, cause economic damage, and can affect our health and quality of life. We will also welcome Dr. Farrell and Dr. Andreadis of Stetson University’s Biology department as they share with us some of their experiences as well as live creatures. Join us as we learn about these intruders and find out what you can do to help.

(Grades 6-9)

 MAY 22nd Course Descriptions

Please submit your May registration forms by Friday, May 7th.  (If you are still interested in registering for May classes after this date please send an e-mail to hats@stetson.edu with the name of the class you would like to attend to check on availability.) 

MAY-BER - MAGIC SCHOOL BUS - GET"S PLANTED
It’s spring! What better time of year to explore, experience, and enjoy the world of horticulture?  Come join us as we take a ride on The Magic School Bus and discover plants from their “inside out”: discover their structure, how they grow; what they need to grow and the incredible process of photosynthesis!  And….if you’re up to the challenge…plant your own mini-garden to cultivate as spring passes to summer.

 (Grades K-3)

MAY-101  SIMPLE MACHINES
Are you up for a challenge?  Can you string up a series of block and tackles? Come join us as we learn more about simple machines using hands on experience with pulleys, levers, screws, inclined planes, and the wheel and axle.  We will discover the concept of mechanical advantage and learn the inner workings of a combustion engine.

(Grades 4-6)

MAY-102  COMPUTING SUSTAINABILITY

Let’s continue celebrating Earth Day through the eyes of a mathematician.  Calculate your carbon footprint and measure the impact we have on the planet and its limited resources.  Exploring sustainability issues just may have you going green!

(Grades 5-9)

MAY-103 THE BRAIN - WHAT'S IN THAT GREY MATTER?

Did you know that the human brain weighs only 1.4 kilograms, or 3 pounds, and is made up of about 85% water? Are you right-brained or left-brained? In this class we will learn basic brain anatomy, make a neuron, tickle your brain with teasers, and explore what a real brain looks like as we dissect a sheep’s brain. So get those synapses firing and churn up that grey matter!

(Grades 6-9)