SMU-in-Legacy provides summer program for Dallas youth

Children ages six through 18 can participate this summer in youth programs sponsored by the SMU Division of Education and Lifelong Learning.

The program offers 65 different workshops in 11 theme areas. Prices of the workshops range from $100 to $400 per week, and are three to six hours in length. Courses will be taught at the SMU main campus, SMU-in-Legacy in Plano and Northpark Mall.

Approaching the program’s sixth year, SMU hopes to reach a minimum attendance of 1,200 students. This program is offered to all children within the age group who are living in the Dallas area. This summer’s new location at Northpark will give some parents the convenience to shop while their children are learning and having fun.

“We have great locations with easy access to great facilities and a friendly registration process,” said program coordinator Jacque Lytle.

Most of the program’s instructors have an educational background. In the past instructors have come from Dallas ISD, Allen ISD, Plano ISD, Hockaday and St. Mark’s. Summer assistants include high school and college students with parents on the SMU faculty.

The workshops gives students the opportunity to explore new areas of interest while learning educational skills. Classes focus on technology, writing, art, math, science and literature.

One of the most popular courses is “LEGO Technology” which teaches students the basics of problem solving, engineering, kinetics and critical thinking using the popular LEGO toys.

A similar subject, “LEGOs for Dad and Me,” is one of several classes offered for both parents and children.

An evaluation submitted by a parent from last year spoke highly of the program.

“It was well beyond what I expected. It was great,” the survey said.

Additional courses include “Decorating My Space,” an interior decorating class; “Dinosaur Digs,” a hands-on class focusing on dinosaurs; “Math Magic,” a class mixing the fundamentals of math with magic tricks; and “Elbows Off the Table, and Don’t Slurp Your Soup,” a fun way to learn etiquette and social skills.

Registration and exact schedule information can be found by calling (214) 768-5433 or visiting www.smu.edu/summer_youth. Classes are limited in size, and spaces are assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis.