This fall, the Institute for Educational Advancement鈥檚聽Academy program will be offering a wide variety of classes, including 鈥淢arvel Comics: The Hero’s Journey.鈥� For students ages 6 through 9, this class uses the popular Marvel Comics superheroes to exercise a child’s creative writing ability. To learn more, we spoke to instructor Cynthia Perez.

This seems like it would be an attractive class for kids. Other than learning a history of these characters, what kinds of lessons are you hoping to convey? How do you use their enthusiasm and turn it toward something academic?

Students are intrigued by superpowers and can talk endlessly about which character has or doesn’t have a certain capabilities. The focus of the class is taking that outstanding history that Marvel is known for and guide a student’s enthusiasm to create a comic of his/her own with their own unique character, by designing and drawing that character and teaching them how and write actual panels for a comic using their thoughtful creativity and plotting a story and series.

In your opinion, what鈥檚 the value in learning how to create a comic book story versus creating a short story?

For those who want to plot and plan a longer narrative that is inspired by Marvel, that becomes the basis for fiction fantasy and science fiction writing. One of the most consistent comments that students will share when reading their favorite superhero or fantasy story is that there aren’t enough illustrations. In fact, mainstream fiction and stories have started to publish novels without words. To strengthen students whose strength is writing and who are influenced by Marvel, this can begin a new phase of “chapter books” that are about superheroes and can tap another market of interest among readers.

What do you think genre fiction like science fiction, fantasy and superheroes offers to writing students that maybe 鈥渃lassical鈥� literature does not?

Science fiction, fantasy, and superheroes offer unknown characters who literally can do anything and can explore unknown worlds. “Classical” literature has known patterns and relationships between characters, which can be explored in different patterns and a particular time period, whereas in sci fi and fantasy and with superheroes time is past, present future, or wherever one wishes.

鈥淢arvel Comics: The Hero’s Journey鈥� is an online Academy class for ages 6 through 9, taught on Saturdays from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM. For more information about the class, as well as information about registering for Academy, .

courses encourage students to take the lead in their learning process. But what do young inquisitive minds find so compelling about the content? Read on for five hallmarks of what makes these, and other fall courses speak to the heart and mind of gifted students, then check out our page for info on the wonderful instructors who bring home the magic!

Academy classes are outside-the-box and taught by experts.

Hacker Calculus (Ages 12-14) with Joan Horvath and Rich Cameron

Students in this class will take an intuitive approach to calculus with minimal algebra and lots of 3D prints! Students will start off with models the instructors have developed and go beyond by learning to modify them and develop their own.

Siri, What鈥檚 Natural Language Processing (Ages 12-14) with Melissa Roemelle

This course will introduce students to the endeavor of using computers to analyze human language. Students will apply techniques in math, logic, and computing to intuitive exercises such as judging whether a word in an essay is misspelled or determining whether a social media post conveys positive or negative emotion.

courses feed students鈥� curiosity through interdisciplinary discovery.

Math for Future Engineers (Ages 6-9) with Maria Melkumyan.

How do engineers design strong bridges, efficient transportation, and sturdy skyscrapers? Math! This class will explore the foundations of math that relate to engineering and will apply those topics to building projects.

Ka-Pow! Graphic Novels and The Hero’s Journey (Ages 9-12) with Alessandra Santucci.

This course will teach the tools necessary to balance art and language to construct narratives that bring the Hero鈥檚 Journey to life, from epic tales of adventure and allies to adversity and triumph! Students will learn and apply elements of creation unique to graphic novels including storyboarding, page layout, panel transitions, text distribution, and more to develop their own characters and stories.

They are collaborative and solution-oriented.

Govern and Sustain Your Own Country: Systems and Sovereignties (Ages 9-12) with Anita Russell.

Students in this class investigate what makes a country prosper and thrive, they will challenge themselves to build a system that will sustain a country of their own design. Through group discussion and creative projects, students will determine what laws their country will need, how will they make sure people follow them, and what will make their country flourish amidst inevitable challenges.

Final Appeal: To Kill a Mockingbird and the First Amendment (Ages 9-12).

This class will follow the award- NAGC curriculum by Dr. Shelagh Gallagher, which incorporates case study and problem-based learning specifically designed for gifted learners. Students will investigate a court case in which a teacher has been fired for using the novel To Kill a Mockingbird in her class and take on the role of members of the court of appeals who must decide the case by diving into the nuances of the First Amendment.

They are student-centered.

Executive Functioning: Training the CEO of Our Brain (Ages 10-14) with Amy Gilbertson.

In this course, students will gain empowering tools on how to approach their academic and personal lives with a sense of purpose, passion, and fulfillment. We will cover topics such as learning styles, motivation styles, time management, stress, effective leadership, communication, and how to break down goals into positive, sustainable action steps.

Active Algebra 2 (Ages 9-12) with Ellen Brown.

In this course, students will supplement mathematical exercises with brain breaks that support concentration, memory, and relaxation. Algebra concepts such as solving inequalities, factoring and building fluency with math symbols will be practiced with puzzles and independent exercises, while breathing techniques and movement exercises will be introduced at optimal intervals to bring body-mind awareness into the equation. Algebra 1 is not a prerequisite for Active Algebra 2, though please see the full description on our Course Description page for recommended background knowledge.

Academy courses encourage building, tinkering, art, experiments, role-playing, debate and in-depth discussion!

STEAM Building (Ages 6-9) with Cynthia Molt.

In this course, students will hone their creative engineering skills by building, testing, and improving upon their original designs for marble runs, bridges, catapults, and more. We will use the engineering design process, integrated with both artistic elements and advanced physics topics to create products that meet specific guidelines.

Secrets of the Snake (Ages 9-12) with Grayson Kent.

Take a lesson from Plato: Courage is knowing what not to fear! In this class, students will learn all about snakes, from their evolution and biodiversity to their locomotion and senses, to their colors and patterns and rightful place in the labyrinth of human history, religion and folklore. Students will have the opportunity to interact with live pet serpents, then build on their experience and knowledge to construct an original serpentarium.

If you and your child are curious to learn more about these or other , please don鈥檛 hesitate to call us at (626) 403-8900 or email academy@educationaladvancement.org.

The Fall Academy application deadline is August 26. to learn more and to submit your application today!