ALC: GEMS & GISE Lego Robotics (Grade 3-5) Field Afterschool, Tuesdays & Thursdays

Please sign the Continuous Learning Plan (CLP) and email the filled form to adam.clark@mpls.k12.mn.us to secure your spot in this course!

Experience the GEMS-GISE-STEM Academy! Our students dive into a world of discovery through hands-on, minds-on learning. We use a project-based and problem-based approach that seamlessly integrates reading and math skills, making learning more dynamic and fun! GEMS-GISE-STEM Academy coaches guide students through high-interest, rigorous STEM experiences that make real-world connections and explore exciting career paths. The program sparks critical thinking, teamwork, and innovation through interactive projects. Students don't just learn; they gain practical skills and a deeper understanding of STEM! Ready to join the adventure? Students can enroll in our year-long after-school program, which includes two semester courses. Plus, the learning doesn't have to stop there—students can continue their journey in our six-week summer STEM Academies!

Where creativity meets technology! In this innovative program, your child will design, build, and program their own Lego robots, learning the basics of engineering and coding. It’s a thrilling introduction to STEM that will spark curiosity and inspire future inventors. Classes taught by Field's very own Ms. Greger! Minneapolis Public Schools would like to invite your child to participate in Extended Day Programming at Field Elementary Schools. Programming this year will focus on GEMS and GISE Lego Robotics Stem Academy (specific topics below). Space is limited so register as soon as possible for priority consideration! Enroll today and watch them create the future!

**Bus **In order for your child to have bussing on the first day of programming please register by September 13. If you register after September 13, bussing may not be available for your student right away.** 

This program will take place at Field Elementary School 4645 4^th Ave S. We will be meeting on Tuesdays and Thursdays this year at the same time as Field’s Community Education. Enrollment is for the entire year so please email me if your family chooses to stop attending so I can make necessary changes in our system. In the winter & spring spaces are available for more students to join us and information will come out at those times.

Programming is open to Grades 3 – 5. Pick-up will be at Field Elementary School at 5:40PM at Door #19. Field School’s main office # 612-668-3640, if you have questions during the day. Early pick-up, please e-mail prior to 12:30pm on that day or earlier. Confirmation emails and details will be sent. Families on the waiting list will also be notified. This spring we are working with circuits and energy! Due to funding cuts, this course will end April 1st. For the remaining weeks of afterschool, this class will have a fee and be considered a “Community Ed” class instead of ALC Extended Learning for those last five weeks. Again, we will not turn away anyone who is unable to pay. Just send Adam a message.

Fall 2026- Robotics In this dynamic robotics class, students will explore mechanical design, construction, programming, and teamwork skills. Working in pairs with LEGO building elements, motors, and sensors, they will build various robot prototypes. Students will program these robots to move, react, and make sounds, applying their skills to solve design challenges using LEGO SPIKE Essential & Prime robotic systems. The class will culminate in participation in the 2027 FIRST LEGO League Challenge UNEARTHEDSM on January 16, 2026 (or Jan 23, 2026, leadership is still working it out). Get ready to dig in! In the UNEARTHEDSM Challenge, students and their LEGO team will harness creativity, critical thinking, and technology to explore this season’s challenge. Teams are challenged to combine the thrill of archaeology with the power of technology. It's a chance for students to use their STEM skills, innovation, and teamwork to uncover the past and help shape the future! Spring 2027- Build, Power, Create! (Energy-Electricity-Electronics) Power up your mind! In our Energy, Electricity, and Electronics course, students will be an investigator, diving into the core concepts that light up our world. Students explore the fundamentals of energy, including how it's measured, converted, and transferred. We will also look to the future, examining the importance of conservation and the potential of alternative energy sources through a hands-on, problem-based approach. Students will conduct investigations into key concepts like currents, open and closed circuits, series and parallel circuits, and static electricity. Students also explore the properties of conductors and insulators, and the principles of magnetism as they work on exciting, project-based experiments. Get ready to level up! Engage in exciting electronics projects, middle school students learn to build, test, and troubleshoot circuits using circuit boards and other electronic components. The adventure continues with a special opportunity to explore the fascinating world of digital electronics. Students will create their own projects using microcontrollers and sensors, bringing their ideas to life!

Fall Session, 10/5/26 - 12/17/26, 

No CommEd Oct. 12-16 (MEA week) nor Nov. 3 (record-keeping day), Nov. 23-27 (Thanksgiving) 

Looking ahead:

No CommEd Dec 21 - Jan 1 (Winter Break)

No CommEd Jan 4 - 8 (CE planning week)

Winter Session, 1/11/27 - 3/4/27 

No Community Ed programming Jan 18, Feb. 15

No CommEd March 8 - 12 (CE planning week)

Spring Session, 3/15/27 - 5/13/27 (***note: Spring ALC classes end earlier than CE on Thurs, April 1***)

No Community Ed April 5 - 9 (Spring Break)

Dates for Grades 4 & 5 MPS Robotics Tournament & Exhibition Jan. 16th/Jan23rd at Anishinabe/Sullivan.

●Meals: Snack included for all students (juice and chips/cookies; send additional if your child needs more). All students will be offered a snack regardless of whether they pay or not.

●Afterschool Transportation: Free!

●Cost: Free!** **Due to funding, the last five weeks of this class will have a fee and be considered a “Community Ed” class instead of ALC Extended Learning for the last five weeks. Again, we will not turn away anyone who is unable to pay. Reach out if you need assistance. The additional cost does not come with additional revenue from the state. The fee allows all students to continue to receive snack on site, and for us to pay our teachers. All students will be offered a snack regardless of whether they pay or not.

Bussing is available this year. Please indicate your address below. After-school bus routes can take longer please be aware every attempt will be made to have children home using the fastest route there are still many more children on each bus. If a bus is more than 20 minutes late phone calls will be made to notify families.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact the Community Ed Coordinator Adam Clark at adam.clark@mpls.k12.mn.us or the ALC Lead Patrice Greger at patrice.greger@mpls.k12.mn.us. 

We look forward to helping your child continue their academic growth during Extended Day Programming!