Major Classes for 2013
REGISTRATION FOR ART AND SCIENCE IN THE WOODS IS NOW CLOSED. To get on a waiting list, please Contact Sharon Obery at sharon.obery@gmail.com or call 309-241-2819.
ABORIGINAL SURVIVAL ARTS – BASIC
Zack Roh
A fun, informative class teaching students basic survival skills, awareness skills and Native American Indian philosophy. We will be focusing on the basic 4: shelter,
water, fire and food plus many other Native-American Indian skills. Ages 11-18
ABORIGNAL SURVIVAL ARTS – ADVANCED
Tom Brown III
This class is for students who have participated in the basic aboriginal survival arts class and want to fine tune their old skills and learn new ones. Ages 12-18
ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHY TECHNIQUES
Tom McElroy
Would you like to learn how to use more than automatic settings on your DSLR
camera? Students will learn how to create professional looking photographs and
practice their new skills while exploring the Sun Foundation. Lectures will focus on adventure, portrait and nature photography while discussing numerous creative
techniques. Students must have a Digital SLR camera (a camera with removable lenses) and a laptop computer. If you don’t have Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom on
your computer you will be able to download a month’s subscription for free before the class begins. This is an all day, every day major class. Ages 12-18
ALL ABOUT BIRDS
Travis E. Wilcoxen
This class will cover information about birds in general and specific information about local birds. We will capture and band live birds in different areas of the Sun Foundation property. We will discuss the different types of birds, how they use their habitat, how and why they fly so far, and other unique things about birds. Students will complete hands on activities to learn about eggs, nests, and what birds eat. Finally, students will learn how to use binoculars to find and identify local birds in different habitats. Bring your own binoculars if you have them. Ages 8-12.
ANIMAL BEHAVIOR
Heidi Smith
The study of animal behavior is known as ethology. In this class we will observe and learn about the behavior in a variety of species commonly found in Illinois. Students
will also design and carry out their own experiments! Ages 8-12
BLAST OFF
Dennis Sparr
Rocketeers will build & launch individual rockets made of materials common in most homes. Students will also participate in an expert group engineered project to be
flown at the Friday performances. It is preferable that students have prior participation in a kit rocket minor class. Please note a $10.00 rocket fee is required at time of registration. Ages 10 – 18
BROADWAY BELTERS
Ann Hagemann
ALL DAY MAJOR CLASS EXCEPT for Tu. And Wed. afternoons! Acting, singing, dancing, creating costumes, scenery, props, and participating in all the steps
necessary to produce a musical theatre production from auditions to performance. Students will work together using creative dramatic and theatre games to create
characters in a mini-musical ASIW style! Experience not necessary, however memorization of material is done quickly just like in professional theatre. Ages 9-14.
CLAY CREATIONS
Ella Brown Dunn
Experience many different techniques for creating both functional and sculptural artwork. Your creative clay time will be divided between group projects, free expression time and time on the potter’s wheel! Come with me & let’s play in clay!!! This will be an all day major class on Thursday so students will only have 3 minor classes. Ages 8-18
COYOTE GAMES
Luke Scalise
This fun and exciting class on Native American games and adventuresome field exercises uses the landscape as a classroom. Games such as Native American field hockey, hoop and stick games, lacrosse, double ball, and awareness games are all part of the excitement. Ages 11-18
DRAW WITH BRUSHES/PAINT WITH PENCILS
Doug DePauw
Come explore the excitement of basic drawing techniques with artist Doug DePauw. His energetic drawing class will be utilizing basic pencil sketching along with some
more experimental techniques that will lead you towards painting! Ages 8-18
DRAWING & SCULPTING FROM NATURE
Sharon Bladholm
We will explore the marshes, creeks and woods of the Sun Foundation to observe the larger natural world and to collect leaves and flowers to work from along with other specimens we will have such as preserved fish, frogs, turtles, bones, shells, and coral. We will draw and paint with watercolor, pencils and craypas for two days. On the third day we will begin clay relief sculptural pieces with self-hardening clay. We will combine our own inspirations and observations of the natural world as well as use our imaginations to create drawings and paintings, and sculptures with clay. Ages 8-18
ECO CONNECTION
Susie Grana-Ingram
Students will discover the naturalists within themselves as we investigate different types of ecosystems within the Sun Foundation; prairie, forest, wetland, creek,
and freshwater pond. Each day will focus on a specific ecosystem and will involve a lot of hiking, exploring, encountering native plants and animals, and likely getting
a bit muddy and/or wet! Each student will create an EcoJournal detailing their favorite sights and experiences from nature. Ages 8-12
FISHING FOR FOOD
Tim Presley
Tim is an expert fisherman who is excited to share his knowledge with anyone interested. He will discuss both the old and new ways of fishing and share different
techniques that are used. Rods & reels will be provided along with bait and lures. If students want to take home their fish, ice and bags will be provided. Ages 8-18
FOXFIRE
Dan Fitzpatrick
How would you like to try the old fashioned way of doing things? Come explore some of the older ways of cooking, processing foods, using plant dyes, making lip balm,
candles, and brew and old fashioned soda. Experience the simple pleasures of making things for yourself the way your ancestors did. Ages 11-18
GETTING FAMILIAR WITH REPTILES
Douglas Holmes
Be ready to get wet and dirty and learn where these unique animals live. We will spend the week learning how and what they eat, where they are found and how to
care for them. This is an introduction to herpetology with hands on experiences. Class meets all day on Wednesday, you will not have a minor class that day! Ages 10-18
GLOBAL STREET ART
Michael Kershnar
Students will explore the history of street art as a global phenomenon. By looking at the styles and mediums used in the U.S., Brazil, and Europe students will learn how
this art movement dwells in both streets and museums. Participants will also experience team work, cooperation, balance and expression. Activities will include creating a creating a character/name that represents you in your fullness ad create it on stickers, walls, and other found objects with markers and bucket paint. Students should feel passionate about the subject matter and be willing to take creative and personal risks. Ages 13 -18
INSECT DIVERSITY
Joseph Parker
Insects come in millions of different forms and are incredibly beautiful. Come search the woods, meadows and marshes, and enter a new world as you discover the
huge diversity of insect life. Learn about the different kinds of insects, how they make a living, and how to collect them. These weird, wonderful and fascinating
creatures teach us about ourselves, and our place in nature. This class is recommended for anyone with a passion for exploring and understanding the natural
world. Ages 8-18
JOIN THE CIRCLE
Dellvenna Hambling
The focus of this class will be making your own hula hoop and learning a bit about the science of circles. We will use our hoops to create bubbles and to play games. Bring
your sense of adventure as we spend part of each day blindfolded to work on our sense of balance. Ages 8-13
NATIVE AMERICAN VILLAGES ON LAKE PEORIA
Michael Wiant
Native Americans lived along Lake Peoria for thousands of years. We will explore thw who, what, where, when, how and why of their lives – with particular interest in
the Potawatomi villages on the lake in the early 1800s. Activities include making arrow points, throwing spears with an atl atl, making a clay pot, using pump drills to
make pendants, identifying animal skins and tracks, playing Native American Games and more. Ages 8-18.
ORIGAMI
Kathy Knapp
The art of paper folding is much more than air planes and cootie catchers. During
this class origami terms will be learned, diagrams will be utilized and many items will
be folded. Ages 10-18.
SO, HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A ZINE?
Dean Poignant
This is NOT your Momma’s comic book! Zines are magazine style publications limited only by the writer’s imagination. A zine can be any shape and size; bound in
many different ways, from glue to shoestirngs; and, they can be filled with words, pictures, cartoons, objects from nature, photos, or whatever inspires you. Students may be able to collect natural materials from the forest to add colors. Zine authors will publish thieir books with a copy machine, and then share them with friends, family, or eve sell their books. Ages 10-18
STORYTELLING TIME
Oba-William King
Storytelling Time is an interactive performance based, traditional folk-art
activity. Students will learn a group story. Also, students will create or memorize
individual stories that fit their personality. We will participate in many Sun Foundation field trips and roam the grounds finiding inspirations for story ideas. Djembe Drum, Mbira, and additional hand percussions and recorded music play
a part in the final presentations Ages 8-11
TREASURE HUNT FOR THE PAST
Merrill Foster
Prowl creek beds with Dr. Foster, searching for informative and/or attractive pebbles. Learn to interpret earth and life history from pebbles. Learn to recognize and illustrate various minerals, rocks and fossils. Class includes lecture. Only students interested in a serious introduction to geology should enroll in this course. Ages 10-18
WANDERING WATERS
Steve Hambling
Come explore the ponds, marshes, and creeks. Each day will bring a new adventure into exciting ecosystems of plants and animals that live in these environments. Come
prepared to get wet & dirty because we aren’t just going to look at nature, we are going to get right in and touch it. (BRING A CHANGE OF CLOTHES!) This will be an all
day class on Thursday, so students will not have a minor class that day. Ages 8-12
WILD HARVEST
David Kennell
Join us on an adventure in the wild, finding what Mother Nature has provided for dinner. Students will learn the basics of foraging for wild edibles in the region and how to identify, prepare and cook them into a dish for tasty consumption. There will be almost constant walking in this class, possibly through rough terrain at times. Please note any food allergies if you sign up for this class. Ages 11-18.
Pee Wee Classes
FOR 6 & 7 YEAR OLD STUDENTS
These classes are specifically for children ages 6 & 7. Students will remain with their major class groups all day and will be visited by other instructors in the afternoons. All classes will expose children to both art and science activities shared by professionals who are passionate about what they teach!
FULL CIRCLE – PEE WEE CLASS
Leigh Klein
Children will explore the Sun Foundation’s diverse landscape conducting science experiments, playing games, creating art, and studying the circle of life.
Students will keep a journal for reflecting and documenting their experiences. Children will stay together as a group and be visited by other instructors in the afternoons.
LITTLE CRITTERS ADVENTURE CLUB – PEE WEE CLASS
Kimberly McCord-Truninger
We will be exploring the outdoors while using nature to do arts and craft. Our class will be learning new things about nature and creatures of all kinds. We will explore,
touch, listen, smell, and more than likely get a little dirty during our fun filled days This is an all day major. Children will stay together as a group and be visited by
other instructors in the afternoons.
LITTLE EXPLORERS – PEE WEE CLASS
Sue Fischbach
This class is an introduction to the Sun Foundation for students six & seven years old. Children will develop an appreciation for nature’s beauty and an understanding
of their connection with the environment. Students will complete many fun art projects and conduct a few science experiments as well. This is an all day major.
Children will stay together as a group and be visited by other instructors in the afternoons.
NATURE QUEST – PEE WEE CLASS
Shelley Fritz
Children will spend their week exploring the Sun Foundation – learning about the forest, marsh and creek environments. We’ll get wet and muddy as we
create art based on the science discoveries we make. We’ll keep nature journals to document our week. This is an all day major. Children will stay together
as a group and be visited by other instructors in the afternoons.
