FBISD Extended Learning Department

In this hands-on program, students explore electronics, coding, and robotics through engaging Arduino-based projects. Using sensors, motors, and microcontrollers, they build interactive creations such as LED displays, automated systems, and object-detection devices while developing programming, creativity, problem-solving, and engineering skills. Students gain experience connecting hardware and software to solve real-world challenges—and by the end of the semester, each student takes home a robot or invention they designed, built, and programmed themselves. To learn more, visit: https://houston.madscience.org/locations/houston/pdf/RoboticsFB.pdf Week Theme Lesson/Activity 1 Microcontroller Basics: My First LED Circuit Students learn the fundamentals of electronics by building and programming their first LED circuit. They explore basic components, circuits, and coding concepts. 2 Programmable Holiday Light Display Students create a festive light display by wiring RGB LEDs and using block-based coding to program colorful lighting effects, patterns, and blinking sequences. 3 RFID Access Control System Students learn how RFID technology is used in everyday applications by creating a secure access control system that identifies RFID cards or tags and grants access when authorized. 4 LED Brightness Control Students explore Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) by adjusting the brightness of an LED using a potentiometer, simulating real-world dimmer controls. 5 SunRise Bloom: Smart Sunflower Alarm Inspired by nature, students build a sunflower-themed sunrise alarm that uses light effects and motion to simulate a natural morning wake-up experience. 6 Interactive Joystick Light Controller Students use a joystick and push-button switch to control LEDs, learning how user input can be used to interact with electronic systems. 7 Digital Message Display System Students learn how to connect and program a display screen to show custom messages, introducing the basics of digital communication and user interfaces. 8 Autonomous Obstacle Avoidance Robot Students design and program a mobile robot that can detect and avoid obstacles using sensors and motors, introducing key concepts in robotics, automation, and autonomous navigation. 9 Radar System Students create an object-detection radar that scans its surroundings using an ultrasonic sensor and servo motor, displaying the location of nearby objects in real time. 10 Automatic Toll Gate Students designed a miniature automated gate that detects approaching vehicles and uses a servo motor to open and close the barrier automatically.

Robo Mania introduces young students to the exciting world of robotics and engineering through hands-on building challenges. Students will explore gears, wheels, axles, levers, balance, motion, and simple coding concepts while working together in small teams. Each week includes a fun build, a challenge, and a chance to explain how their robot or machine works. Week Theme Activity 1 What is a robot? Build a simple moving creature or silly robot 2 Wheels and axles Build a simple car or rolling robot 3 Gears make things move Build a spinning machine or gear-powered robot part 4 Building strong robots Build a robot base or tower structure 5 Levers and movement Build a robot arm or gripping fingers 6 Robots inspired by animals Build a walking, crawling, or flapping animal robot 7 Speedy bots Build a race car or speedy robot 8 Coding colors with Indi Create a path using color tiles 9 Robot rescue mission Build a robot or machine that can move, push, carry, or rescue 10 Robo Mania Showcase Favorite build challenge or mini robot showcase

Students become architects and builders as they explore columns, arches, towers, bridges, and landmarks from different places and time periods. Using 3D printing pens, students create flat structural pieces and connect them to form freestanding models. Along the way, they strengthen fine motor skills, spatial reasoning, creativity, and an understanding of how shapes work together to make structures stable. Week Lesson Title Lesson Description & Objectives 1 3Doodler Building Challenge Students practice tracing lines, filling shapes, and connecting flat pieces with a 3D printing pen and learn how strong edges, reinforced corners, and wide bases help structures stand. 2 Ancient Columns Students trace and assemble columns and learn how columns support buildings and how Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian styles use different details. 3 Roman Archways Students create arches from curved stencils and rectangular supports and learn how arches are used in doorways, bridges, and aqueducts. 4 Aqueduct Bridge Students connect repeated arch pieces to build a short aqueduct or bridge and learn how repetition and evenly spaced supports strengthen a structure. 5 Pyramid Builders Students trace triangular panels and connect them to create a pyramid and learn how triangular faces and a wide base help make stable structures. 6 Castle Construction Students assemble a castle facade or small tower using rectangles, battlements, and arch pieces and learn how walls, towers, gates, and repeated shapes define castle architecture. 7 Pagoda Tower Students stack simple square frames and roof pieces to create a tiered pagoda-inspired tower and learn how repeated levels create height, balance, and rhythm. 8 Geometric Dome Students connect a small set of triangles to create a partial dome and learn how repeated geometric pieces can form a larger three-dimensional shape. 9 World Landmark Mash-up Students combine familiar stencils to design an original landmark featuring at least two architectural elements and learn how architects adapt and combine ideas to make new structures. 10 Design Your Own Landmark Students design and build an original freestanding landmark and learn how architects use purpose, shape, balance, and decorative details to develop a complete structure.

Our basketball class is designed for students interested in learning the fundamental skills and rules of basketball. Instruction will focus on the proper mechanics of dribbling, passing, shooting, and rebounding. The class combines skill development drills with game-like situations to improve physical fitness, foster teamwork, and enhance overall game understanding in a fun and educational environment. Students of all experience levels are welcome to participate! Each student will receive a T-shirt. Week Skill Focus Activities & Games 1 Introduction to basketball, safety, athletic stance, ball familiarity Ball handling exploration, dribble freeze, basketball relays 2 Basic dribbling with dominant hand Red light/green light dribbling, cone dribbles, shark attack dribble game 3 Control the ball Crossover dribbles, changing speed and direction 4 Passing partners Chest pass, bounce pass, teamwork 5 Shoot for success Proper shooting form and layup introduction 6 Defense win games Defensive stance, movement, guarding space 7 Rebound and hustle Rebounding, boxing out, effort plays 8 Team play time Offensive spacing, moving without the ball 9 Game ready Review all skills, basketball rules, scrimmage preparation 10 Basketball showcase Full game play, tournament, skills celebration

Inspire your child’s love for cooking this fall with CookLearnGrow! Our after-school program offers hands-on classes where young chefs explore seasonal recipes, learn essential techniques, and build kitchen confidence. Each session features NEW RECIPES, encouraging creativity, teamwork, and academic reinforcement in a fun, engaging environment. Students gain valuable life skills while discovering the joy of cooking. Please note we accommodate nut allergies only; egg, gluten, and other allergies are not accommodated. Let your child experience the flavors of fall with CookLearnGrow! To learn more about the program, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=XPx_jXM8ZjQ Week Dish 1 Harvest Wild Rice Salad Cups 2 Colonial Apple Crisps 3 Autumnal Pizza Pockets 4 Succotash Cups 5 Southwestern Churro Bites 6 American Turkey Chilli 7 Apple Cinnamon Muffins 8 Parent Showcase

Get ready to serve, rally, and have fun! Students will learn the fundamentals of pickleball, including paddle control, serving, rallying, court movement, and basic game play through exciting drills, skill-building activities, and friendly games. Whether students are picking up a paddle for the first time or already have some experience, everyone will have opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed. Each student will receive a T-shirt. Week Theme Skill Focus 1 Welcome to Pickleball! Safety, equipment, court awareness 2 Paddle Power Grip, paddle control, and ball tracking 3 Rally Rockstars Forehand groundstrokes 4 Backhand Buddies Backhand shots and control 5 Serve It Up! Underhand serving fundamentals 6 Kitchen Kings & Queens Non-volley zone (kitchen) rules 7 Net Ninjas Volleys and quick reactions 8 Doubles Dream Team Partner communication and teamwork 9 Match Play Masters Rules, scoring, and game strategy 10 Pickleball Showcase Skill showcase and tournament

Students will conceptualize original characters and bring them to life with photographs, clay or objects. Hands-on projects will cover the fundamentals of animation utilizing such techniques as flipbooks, paper cutouts, claymation, and stop-motion animation. Invent your own story and characters and watch them come to life with a few moves. Week Topic Lesson Description & Connections 1 Exploring the world of motion through animation Students will learn how still images create the illusion of motion by exploring fun examples like flipbooks, Claymation, and early cartoons. They will discover the roots of animation through pre-film “magic tricks” such as thaumatropes and zoetropes. 2 Create a Character and Background Each student will create a background and simple character for a short stop-motion animation. Completed animations will be screened for the class. 3 Understanding Frames Students create flipbooks to explore how repetition, sequencing, and timing affect the animation. 4 Character Animation Revisited Students will illustrate a background and character on paper to create a scene. Concepts like anticipation, squash and stretch, and timing with be introduced. 5 Anime Found Objects Students will animate everyday objects to create a short story or moving pattern. 6 Human-Size Stop-Motion Animation Students will learn about the origins of stop motion. Students will then work in teams to create a life-size stop-motion animation. 7 Clay Animation Students will learn about Claymation, a specific type of stop motion. Students build poseable clay characters and create a short stop-motion story emphasizing movement, emotion, and expression. The focus will be on expressing character and emotion through physical movement. 8 Plan and Start Animation Students begin developing a final animation project using techniques learned throughout the residency. Students will build characters, scenes, and plotlines for their animation. 9 Production and Feedback Students will continue production and participate in instructor and peer feedback sessions. 10 Final Showcase The program concludes with a celebration of student work. All completed animations will be shown through a culminating screening.

The Knight School is the chess party for the well-rounded kids of America from brand-new beginners to highly advanced chess players. Unlike your typical chess program, our primary focuses are good sportsmanship and fun. That being the case, our students continue to win state championships year after year. Join The Knight School chess party and give your child the gift of undeniable academic confidence, amazing chess friends, a self-identity as a smart kid, and a weekly dose of childhood joy that is the highlight of their week! Click the link to view the intro video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2XrRhGFNNE Week Lesson & Band Color Description 1 Welcome to TKS and Identifying (rainbow/white) Chess Basics: moves, values and names 2 Checkmating (yellow) Check vs. Checkmate and The Law of the Splatter 3 Scholar’s Mate (tan) The Four-Move Checkmate 4 Forking (magenta) Attacking 2+ pieces with one move 5 Developing (orange) Follow the Golden Rule of Chess – Develop your Piece 6 Pinning (tangerine) First pin a piece, then exploit the fun 7 X-Raying (red) Line up their pieces and attack their king 8 Splattermating (lime) Checkmating using the Golden Rule 9 Ladder-Mating (green) Compress ‘em against the wall 10 Parent Showcase Parents for 10-week classes will join our 2026 brand-new special FBISD-exclusive, interactive family activity. Bonus City-Wide TournaParty! Off-site opportunity to join students from 100 schools across the Greater Houston area for fun and chess! This year-end event is free, included, and exclusive to The Knight School’s chess students!