Week 1 (June 15-18)   

Uncover the science behind the weather right in your own backyard! From creating a “cloud in a bottle” to building a working barometer, students will investigate how air pressure, temperature, and the water cycle shape the world around us.

Race evaporating puddles, model the power of a tornado, and explore how a tiny drop of water connects to massive storm systems. Through hands-on experiments and interactive challenges, participants will learn to observe, measure, and predict weather like real meteorologists.

Perfect for curious learners who love science that flips, spins, swirls, and sometimes even storms!

Step into the world of weather science and live reporting. In this hands-on, project-based course, students will explore foundational weather concepts while learning how meteorologists study, predict, and communicate forecasts to the public.

Investigate cloud formation through a cloud lab, examine severe weather events, and construct simple weather instruments to better understand how data is collected and analyzed. Explore the technology behind forecasting, including radar and weather models, while building skills in interpretation and prediction.

Students will also learn the fundamentals of broadcast communication and may collaborate to produce a complete weather segment, combining scientific knowledge with clear, confident delivery. Along the way, strengthen problem-solving, teamwork, and critical thinking skills in a dynamic STEM environment.

Perfect for students interested in science, technology, or media.

Take Minecraft to the next level by designing and building your own custom mods. In this hands-on coding course, students will learn the basics of scripting and logic statements while modifying the classic game in creative new ways.

Create new gameplay elements, design custom features, and experiment with world-building mechanics that change how Minecraft is played. Along the way, strengthen problem-solving, collaboration, and computational thinking skills in a project-based environment.

Completed projects will be shared through a secure platform for families to view. This course requires the Java version of Minecraft. Tablet, phone, and console editions are not compatible.

Take your game design skills to the next level using Unity, a professional game development platform used by real-world developers. In this hands-on course, students will explore the fundamentals of 3D game creation, including level design, basic 3D modeling concepts, gameplay mechanics, and introductory scripting.

Learn how to use scripts and variables to control player actions, design immersive environments, and build interactive experiences from the ground up. Strengthen problem-solving, logical thinking, and creative design skills while working in a collaborative, project-based setting.

Student-created games will be shared through a secure platform for families to view.

History lives where we live. In this course, explore African American history through the stories, people, and places of Peoria and the state of Illinois.

Examine how African American communities helped shape local neighborhoods, schools, businesses, cultural centers, and social movements. Learn about local activists and everyday leaders whose work created change close to home, and connect those stories to broader regional and national history.

Students will take an active role in discovering history by researching and mapping important community landmarks, helping bring overlooked stories into clearer view. This class encourages curiosity, civic awareness, and a deeper understanding of how local history shapes the present.

It’s a hard rock life! Discover how rocks are part of a massive, ever-changing story beneath our feet. In this hands-on class, students will explore the rock cycle, plate tectonics, and the forces that shape our planet.

Create models to see how mountains rise, volcanoes form, and canyons are carved over time. Hunt for “fossils” to uncover clues about Earth’s past and build stream tables to witness the powerful effects of erosion. Through interactive experiments and creative modeling, participants will see how slow geological processes create dramatic landscapes.

Perfect for learners who love digging, building, and discovering how Earth is constantly on the move.

If you love to sing, dance, act, and perform, this class is your time to shine. Broadway Bound introduces students to the fundamentals of musical theater in a fun, supportive environment where creativity and confidence take center stage.

Through theater games, improvisation, pantomime, stage movement, and introductory vocal work, students will build performance skills while learning how to move, project, and express themselves on stage. Each day blends skill-building with high-energy activities designed to grow confidence and teamwork.

No experience is necessary, just a willingness to try something new and have fun. Whether preparing for a future audition or simply wanting to explore the world of musical theater, this two-week experience helps young performers take their first steps toward the spotlight.

Who knows? You might just be Broadway-bound.

Dive into the world of engineering and physics through hands-on investigation and design. This interactive course introduces core concepts in mechanical design, Newtonian mechanics, electricity and magnetism, and quantum optics.

Design and model mechanical systems using 3D solid modeling and 3D printing technology. Explore Newton’s laws, conservation of momentum and energy, vibrations, and the speed of sound through real-world experiments. Build and test circuits while investigating Ohm’s law, magnetism, induction, motors, and generators. Examine the behavior of light using mirrors, lenses, diffraction, and basic spectroscopy to uncover the principles behind optics and quantum mechanics.

Each day combines theory with experimentation, giving students the opportunity to think like engineers and physicists, test ideas, and solve problems. This course is ideal for students who enjoy math, science, technology, and hands-on challenges.

Ever wonder why people think, feel, and act the way they do? Dive into the fascinating world of psychology and explore how the mind influences behavior, decisions, and everyday choices.

Discover what happens inside the brain—and how the world around us shapes the way we learn, interact, and choose our paths. Explore topics like emotions, habits, and decision-making, and try simple research activities to uncover patterns in human behavior. This class encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of ourselves and others.

What is the Internet, really? Is the World Wide Web the same thing? Can you break the Internet by typing “Google” into Google?

Join the ICC librarians for an activity-filled exploration of how the Internet works and how people use it every day. Learn the difference between the Internet and the Web, discover how information travels across the globe, try writing your name in binary, and explore how people create content and even earn money online.

Students will also build essential digital literacy skills, including how to recognize scams, protect personal information, and make smart choices online. Through a mix of hands-on and discussion-based activities, students will gain the tools they need to navigate the digital world with curiosity and confidence.

Some activities may use ICC computers, while others will be unplugged and interactive.

Get ready to explore the outdoors through hands-on discovery and real-world science. Nature Adventures invites students to step outside and investigate the living and non-living parts of our environment, from plants and animals to water, soil, and air.

Each day brings a new outdoor adventure across the ICC campus as we explore grasslands, woodlands, prairies, and wetlands. Use hand lenses to examine prairie flowers up close, bug catchers to observe insects, dip nets to discover wetland creatures, and trowels to dig into the soil beneath our feet. Expect to get a little wet, a little dirty, and a lot curious.

This class is perfect for students who love being outside, asking questions, and learning through exploration.

What would your life be like if you had been born in another country? What language would you speak? What foods would you eat? What games would you play? In Around the World, students will “travel” to a different country each day to explore cultures, traditions, geography, and daily life. Through interactive activities, discussions, and hands-on projects, students will discover how people around the world live, learn, celebrate, and connect.

Compare traditions, explore global cuisines, learn simple phrases in new languages, and examine how geography shapes culture. Along the way, build curiosity, cultural awareness, and a broader understanding of our global community.

Perfect for students who enjoy learning about different cultures and seeing the world from new perspectives.

Discover the joy of making music in this group introduction to piano class. Designed for beginners, this course teaches the foundational skills needed to start playing with confidence.

Students will learn proper piano posture and hand position, identify notes on the keyboard, and begin reading music on the staff. Through guided practice and simple songs, participants will build coordination, rhythm, and basic music literacy in a supportive, encouraging environment.

No prior experience is required. By the end of the class, students will be able to play beginner-level songs and gain the skills needed to continue their musical journey.

Bring your game ideas to life while learning the fundamentals of coding. In this hands-on course, students will explore the Lua programming language as they design interactive experiences using Roblox Studio.

Learn key game design concepts while building custom features, scripting gameplay mechanics, and modifying popular game styles with original code. Strengthen logical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills in a collaborative, project-based environment.

Student-created games will be shared through a secure platform for families to view.

Speaking German is fun! Dive into a new language through interactive activities that make learning feel natural and exciting. Explore everyday words and phrases using numbers, colors, food, days, months, school objects, and travel-friendly expressions.

Practice listening and speaking skills through games, songs, and role-playing activities that build confidence and help bring the language to life. Whether learning German for the first time or just curious about a new way to communicate, this class offers a fun and supportive introduction.

The Grow Period is a relaxed, screen-free afternoon experience designed to give students time to unwind, connect, and explore their interests in a supportive, supervised environment. Open to all grade levels, this mixed-age time encourages creativity, cooperation, and independent play while being guided by Curiosity Lab facilitators and staff.

Each day offers a rotating mix of optional activities so students can choose how they want to spend their time. Activities may include art and crafts, games, building challenges, reading corners, outdoor play, or quiet creative projects. Some days can be active, others can be calm, giving students space to recharge after a full day of learning.

Parents can feel confident knowing students are safely supervised, engaged in meaningful activities, and enjoying a screen-free transition at the end of the day. Students will enjoy the freedom to try new things, spend time with friends, and grow independence in a fun, low-pressure setting.