Children off school early can learn science, culture at Western

Western Washington University Youth Programs will offer an Early Release Enrichment program exploring science and art topics on Thursdays this fall.

Sessions will be offered on Oct. 9 and 23, Nov. 6 and 20, and Dec. 4. Each Thursday session is from 1:45 to 5 p.m. on Western’s campus. Cost is $60 for all five sessions or $20 per individual session.

Designed to give K-5 students in the Bellingham School District an alternative to traditional childcare, early release enrichment sessions provide opportunities for students to make fascinating discoveries in an exciting university setting.

Students will benefit from hands-on activities in specialized labs and classrooms, and will experience a college campus through tours of Western.

Each session features a different theme, including “Farm to Table,” “Wild Weather,” “Playing with Puppetry,” “When Earth Slides” and “Culture Day.”

Students are asked to bring a rain jacket, healthy snack and curious mind.

For more information or to register online, visit www.wwu.edu/youth, email youth@wwu.edu or call 360-650-3308.