thinc 2025 Course Catalog
Seminars
Year 1
- Monday - Villanova University campus tour
- Wednesday - Nursing simulation lab immersive experience
- Thursday - Creative Writing
- Monday - Service learning project
- Wednesday - Service learning project
- Thursday - Service learning project
- Monday - Time capsule reflection and PFF elevator pitch
- Wednesday - VU Admissions
- Thursday - High School advice with the JCs
- Monday - Growing through feedback
- Wednesday - Career Center: Your Brand
- Thursday - If I Had a Million Dollars
Courses
Catapult Construction Challenge
In this three-part, 90-minute engineering adventure, middle school campers will design, build, and test their own working catapults capable of launching small objects through the air. Blending creativity, collaboration, and hands-on problem-solving, the Catapult Challenge encourages students to think like engineers as they explore physics, mechanics, and a little friendly competition.
From Scene to Screen: iPad Filmmaking for PFF Creators
Grab an iPad and get ready to make your own movie trailer from start to finish! In this fun, hands-on course, you’ll learn how to shoot, edit, and add cool effects to bring your story to life on screen.
Coding: Minecraft Mods
Calling all video gamers! Ever found yourself wishing you could add something to your favorite game? Code a new creature, program a new food, or design a new block? Join a computer programmer who will teach you how to do all three, and even play your newly modded game!
Choir: Lift Every Voice
In just three days, students will come together to form a powerful gospel choir, learning to sing with heart, harmony, and purpose. Rooted in the vibrant tradition of gospel music, this course blends vocal training, spiritual reflection, and high-energy group singing, culminating in a moving final performance.
Why You’ll Love It!
Sewing
Would you like to try to make a carry-all bag? If so, come prepared to learn how to operate a sewing machine and get busy assembling your bag. Positive attitude and patience required.
The Art of Faux Stained Glass
Faux stained glass is an artistic craft that replicates the look of traditional stained glass. In this course, you'll design a personalized stained glass creation that will rival the stained glass you see around the Villanova campus.
Ecology: From Pond to Plate to Planet
Get ready to explore the living world through hands-on science, real-world adventures, and creative experiments! In this immersive ecology course, you’ll step into the role of biologist, environmental steward, and curious explorer as you investigate how ecosystems work—and how your choices matter.
In this three-part, 90-minute engineering adventure, middle school campers will design, build, and test their own working catapults capable of launching small objects through the air. Blending creativity, collaboration, and hands-on problem-solving, the Catapult Challenge encourages students to think like engineers as they explore physics, mechanics, and a little friendly competition.
From Scene to Screen: iPad Filmmaking for PFF Creators
Grab an iPad and get ready to make your own movie trailer from start to finish! In this fun, hands-on course, you’ll learn how to shoot, edit, and add cool effects to bring your story to life on screen.
Coding: Minecraft Mods
Calling all video gamers! Ever found yourself wishing you could add something to your favorite game? Code a new creature, program a new food, or design a new block? Join a computer programmer who will teach you how to do all three, and even play your newly modded game!
Choir: Lift Every Voice
In just three days, students will come together to form a powerful gospel choir, learning to sing with heart, harmony, and purpose. Rooted in the vibrant tradition of gospel music, this course blends vocal training, spiritual reflection, and high-energy group singing, culminating in a moving final performance.
Why You’ll Love It!
- No auditions. Just come ready to sing and praise
- Encouraging, fun, and full of energy
- Builds vocal skills and community
- The final showcase will be during the closing ceremonies
Sewing
Would you like to try to make a carry-all bag? If so, come prepared to learn how to operate a sewing machine and get busy assembling your bag. Positive attitude and patience required.
The Art of Faux Stained Glass
Faux stained glass is an artistic craft that replicates the look of traditional stained glass. In this course, you'll design a personalized stained glass creation that will rival the stained glass you see around the Villanova campus.
Ecology: From Pond to Plate to Planet
Get ready to explore the living world through hands-on science, real-world adventures, and creative experiments! In this immersive ecology course, you’ll step into the role of biologist, environmental steward, and curious explorer as you investigate how ecosystems work—and how your choices matter.
Classes
Summer Jam Open Practice: Monday, July 28 at 3:30 PM
Watch the Villanova Wildcats Men's Basketball have their first practice of the new season. After practice, current team members will be available for an autograph signing. This special opportunity is reserved for Year 3 students. If some Year 3 students do not want to participate, we will offer the extra tickets to interested Y2 and Y1 students.
AImazing Exploration: Cool Things You Can Do with Artificial Intelligence
Get ready to explore the awesome world of artificial intelligence! In this high-energy, hands-on class, you'll discover how AI is all around us—from music and art to sports and games—and even how it helps doctors, teachers, and inventors.
You’ll:
Step into the future as students explore the exciting worlds of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) through hands-on experiences and immersive storytelling. Campers will create, test, and interact with digital environments that blend creativity with cutting-edge technology.
A Cappella
Do you enjoy singing (or even beatboxing) along to your favorite songs on the radio? A Cappella re-envisions those songs into music that can be performed with voices alone! In this class, you'll learn a pop-rock arrangement created by a college a cappella group, straight from one of its members! Beatboxers and singers all welcome, no experience needed!
Explore your interest Career Connection
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (AKA CPR)
In this engaging 75-minute hands-on session, you will learn the life-saving basics of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), including how to recognize cardiac emergencies and perform chest compressions. Guided by a trained instructor, you will practice CPR techniques on mannequins and build the confidence to take action in real-life situations.
Fishing
In this 75-minute outdoor adventure, middle school campers will head to a local pond to learn the basics of fishing, including how to cast, bait a hook, and handle fish with care and respect. As they explore the pond’s ecosystem, they may encounter bluegill, smallmouth bass, and even spot red-eared slider turtles in their natural habitat.
Dance: Cardio and Choreo
In this high-energy 75-minute session, middle school campers will jump into a fun and creative dance class designed to get them moving and expressing themselves. With easy-to-follow choreography and upbeat music, students will build confidence, learn new moves, and enjoy the joy of dancing together.
Theater and Improv: The Art Of A Million Faces
Learn how to tell a story without words, create landscapes with your imagination, and build your confidence by becoming the silliest version of yourself! Join us, in this safe space, to explore, observe, and (most importantly) have fun through a variety of wacky exercises designed to keep your brain on its tip-toes!
Culinary Arts: Travel the world with your senses
Chefs Mike and Eren will take you on an adventure where you will see, touch, smell, hear, and taste ingredients that get combined to delight the thinc community. Come ready to chop, stir, craft, and even grill some familiar dishes with a twist.
VU Athletics Department: Behind-the-Scenes
In this exciting 75-minute session, middle school campers will go behind the scenes at Villanova University’s athletic department to explore the inner workings of a major collegiate sports program. From touring training facilities to meeting staff and learning how teams prepare for competition, students will get an insider’s look at what it takes to support top-level athletes.
Art: Indigo Dye Workshop
In this class, you will be designing and making your own t-shirt using indigo dye. You will learn about shirt design and discover multiple different techniques for the dye application. You should come out with a feeling of having experimented and a shirt that feels like it was made for you.
Watch the Villanova Wildcats Men's Basketball have their first practice of the new season. After practice, current team members will be available for an autograph signing. This special opportunity is reserved for Year 3 students. If some Year 3 students do not want to participate, we will offer the extra tickets to interested Y2 and Y1 students.
AImazing Exploration: Cool Things You Can Do with Artificial Intelligence
Get ready to explore the awesome world of artificial intelligence! In this high-energy, hands-on class, you'll discover how AI is all around us—from music and art to sports and games—and even how it helps doctors, teachers, and inventors.
You’ll:
- Train a simple AI model to recognize patterns
- Use AI to create artwork or music
- Explore chatbots and voice assistants
- See how AI is used in video games and apps
- Brainstorm your own idea for an AI-powered invention
Step into the future as students explore the exciting worlds of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) through hands-on experiences and immersive storytelling. Campers will create, test, and interact with digital environments that blend creativity with cutting-edge technology.
A Cappella
Do you enjoy singing (or even beatboxing) along to your favorite songs on the radio? A Cappella re-envisions those songs into music that can be performed with voices alone! In this class, you'll learn a pop-rock arrangement created by a college a cappella group, straight from one of its members! Beatboxers and singers all welcome, no experience needed!
Explore your interest Career Connection
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (AKA CPR)
In this engaging 75-minute hands-on session, you will learn the life-saving basics of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), including how to recognize cardiac emergencies and perform chest compressions. Guided by a trained instructor, you will practice CPR techniques on mannequins and build the confidence to take action in real-life situations.
Fishing
In this 75-minute outdoor adventure, middle school campers will head to a local pond to learn the basics of fishing, including how to cast, bait a hook, and handle fish with care and respect. As they explore the pond’s ecosystem, they may encounter bluegill, smallmouth bass, and even spot red-eared slider turtles in their natural habitat.
Dance: Cardio and Choreo
In this high-energy 75-minute session, middle school campers will jump into a fun and creative dance class designed to get them moving and expressing themselves. With easy-to-follow choreography and upbeat music, students will build confidence, learn new moves, and enjoy the joy of dancing together.
Theater and Improv: The Art Of A Million Faces
Learn how to tell a story without words, create landscapes with your imagination, and build your confidence by becoming the silliest version of yourself! Join us, in this safe space, to explore, observe, and (most importantly) have fun through a variety of wacky exercises designed to keep your brain on its tip-toes!
Culinary Arts: Travel the world with your senses
Chefs Mike and Eren will take you on an adventure where you will see, touch, smell, hear, and taste ingredients that get combined to delight the thinc community. Come ready to chop, stir, craft, and even grill some familiar dishes with a twist.
VU Athletics Department: Behind-the-Scenes
In this exciting 75-minute session, middle school campers will go behind the scenes at Villanova University’s athletic department to explore the inner workings of a major collegiate sports program. From touring training facilities to meeting staff and learning how teams prepare for competition, students will get an insider’s look at what it takes to support top-level athletes.
Art: Indigo Dye Workshop
In this class, you will be designing and making your own t-shirt using indigo dye. You will learn about shirt design and discover multiple different techniques for the dye application. You should come out with a feeling of having experimented and a shirt that feels like it was made for you.