Chess, STEM, fashion and writing workshops at the Union’s leisure service

UNION, NJ – From STEM to chess, writing and sewing, the Union Recreation Department offers a lot. Check out these virtual programs:

VIRTUAL STEM CLASSES WITH LEGO®

Take your creativity to the next level as Play-Well classes go virtual. Create engineered projects and learn new construction techniques on Zoom with guidance from an experienced Play-Well instructor. Discover hands-on real-world STEM concepts while learning and connecting virtually with other young engineers. With the specialized LEGO® materials kit included in the cost of the program, kids will have everything they need to take their LEGO® building at home to the next level.

–2 to 5 years

January 25 – March 1 (Monday)

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

$ 90 per child (six sessions)

–Levels K-3

January 21 – March 11 (Thursday)

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

$ 105 per child (seven sessions)

BUILT BY ME LEARNING RODS

Be the game designer with Scratch MIT

Learn how to code and create simple games using Scratch MIT, a block-based coding developed by MIT. In each session, our instructor will guide participants to build a new game or different program.

To participate in the program virtually, you must have access to a laptop or Chromebook with a webcam as well as an internet connection with access to Zoom and Scratch MIT.

-Degree 3 to 5

January 19 – February 23 (Tuesday)

4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

$ 100 per student (limited places, six students maximum)

Be the game designer with Python 1

In this program, coders will learn to create simple video games with the Pygame Zero game design tool and the Python programming language. Young coders will learn about data types, user input, conditional statements, loops, defining functions and will be able to write simple codes and games at the end of the program.

To participate in the program, you must have access to a Windows or Mac (not a Chromebook) with a webcam as well as an Internet connection with access to Zoom. Must install Mu Editor (https://codewith.mu/en/download.

-From 5 to 8 years old

January 20 – February 24 (Wednesday)

4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

$ 100 per student (limited places, six students maximum)

THE WRITER’S CIRCLE

New creative writing workshops. These one-day workshops will help students build confidence and improve their creative writing through imaginative prompts and exercises.

Magic of history

January 18

10:00 am – 11:00 am

From 3rd to 6th grade

$ 10

Pre-teen / adolescent writers’ circle

January 18

Grades 7 to 12

11h00 – 12h00

$ 10

OPEN VIRTUAL GYM

We offer yoga and exercise classes right in your living room. Held interactively on the zoom.

All classes take place from January 18 to March 25

Adult Fitness with Steve Hightower

Pain management

My. – 6:30 – 7:15 pm

Fitness over 30

Wed – 7:15 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Youth fitness with Mike Firestone

Kindergarten to Grade 5

My. – 7:15 – 7:45 pm

Grades 6 to 12

Wed. – 7.15 p.m. – 7.45 p.m.

Yoga with Bernadette Burke

Kindergarten to Grade 5

Tu es. & Thu. – 6.30 p.m. – 7.00 p.m.

Grades 6 to 12

Tu es. – from 7.15 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Adults 18 and over

Thu – 7:15 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Special equipment is not necessary, however, items like a yoga mat, yoga blocks, and free weights can enhance your experience.

Due to the physical nature of these lessons, children should be supervised to ensure their safety.

– $ 20 per participant and per program ($ 2 / week)

– Advanced registration is required. Online registration begins December 16.

VIRTUAL CHESS PROGRAM

This virtual chess program will be taught by professional chess teacher Martin Kenny who has taught courses throughout New Jersey for the past twenty years. Mr. Kenny will teach students the basics of playing one of the oldest and most famous games in the world. To play chess, children need to problem solve, think critically, and focus – skills that can come in handy in class and later in life.

A list of readily available supplies (ie, paper and pencils for taking notes) will be provided prior to the start of the program.

– For children from the first to the sixth year

– $ 100

FIRST VIRTUAL FASHION WORKSHOPS

Designed for girls and boys interested in fashion.

Seamless doll clothes collection

In this weekly class, designer students will explore and recreate a classic silhouette by choosing a fabric, sketching a design, and fitting their favorite doll.

– Children from 2nd to 5th year

– from Friday January 15 to March 5

– 4:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.

– $ 125

T-Shirt Workshop in Tote Bag

This one-day workshop will teach students how to turn an old t-shirt into a trendy new tote bag. No sewing required. All you need is a t-shirt and some scissors.

– Children from grades 2 to 12

– Friday February 12

– 10:00 am – 11:30 am

– $ 10