Youth, grandparents go to school

Western Washington University's Grandparents U program connects youth ages 7 to 14 to their grandparents in fun new ways July 16 and 17 in Bellingham.

Grandparents and grandchildren work side-by-side as they interact with marine ecology, bring books to life through sculpture, excavate fossils and more. All courses are taught by Western faculty with a focus on hands-on participation and a fun, interactive atmosphere.

Courses offered during the two-day program in Bellingham include:

  • Not Just Your Parent’s Chemistry Set, with instructors Betsy Raymond and Steven Emory
  • Bringing Books to Life: Write, Sculpt and Paint Your Own Stories, with instructor Rosanna Porter
  • Colorful Keepsake Journals, Bookbinding and Paper Crafting, with instructor Elsi Vassdal Ellis
  • The Secret Life of Trees, with instructor Anu Singh-Cundy

The program also is offered at Western's campus in Anacortes. There, 10- to -14-year-olds can participate with their grandparents July 28 and 29, while 7- to 10-year-olds may participate July 30 and 31.

For more information, visit the Youth Programs website.

Photos by Mariko Osterberg / WWU Communications and Marketing intern

Western Today staff
The Bringing Books to Life: Write, Sculpt and Paint Your Own Stories class is taught by Rosanna Porter. In the class, grandparents and grandchildren worked together to choose one of 10 books to breathe life into the pages of a story through sculpted chara
The Bringing Books to Life: Write, Sculpt and Paint Your Own Stories class is taught by Rosanna Porter. In the class, grandparents and grandchildren worked together to choose one of 10 books to breathe life into the pages of a story through sculpted chara
The Bringing Books to Life: Write, Sculpt and Paint Your Own Stories class is taught by Rosanna Porter. In the class, grandparents and grandchildren worked together to choose one of 10 books to breathe life into the pages of a story through sculpted chara
The Bringing Books to Life: Write, Sculpt and Paint Your Own Stories class is taught by Rosanna Porter. In the class, grandparents and grandchildren worked together to choose one of 10 books to breathe life into the pages of a story through sculpted chara
The Secret Life of Trees class is taught by Anu Singh-Cundy. In the class, grandparents and their grandchildren investigate trees by using microscopes, conducting lab experiments and going on field trips through the Sehome Arboretum. Photo by Mariko Oster
Grandparents and grandchildren worked together to design their own Moleskine-style notebook or journal with a personalized touch in the Book Binding and Paper Crafting Class taught by Elsi Vassdal Ellis. Photo by Mariko Osterberg / WWU Communications and
Grandparents and grandchildren worked together to design their own Moleskine-style notebook or journal with a personalized touch in the Book Binding and Paper Crafting Class taught by Elsi Vassdal Ellis. Photo by Mariko Osterberg / WWU Communications and
In the Not Just Your Parents' Chemistry Set class, teachers Betsy Raymond and Steven Emory teach grandparents and their grandchildren about the fascinating world of chemistry. Participants got to try hand-on experiments with liquid nitrogen and see variou
In the Not Just Your Parents' Chemistry Set class, teachers Betsy Raymond and Steven Emory teach grandparents and their grandchildren about the fascinating world of chemistry. Participants got to try hand-on experiments with liquid nitrogen and see variou
In the Not Just Your Parents' Chemistry Set class, teachers Betsy Raymond and Steven Emory teach grandparents and their grandchildren about the fascinating world of chemistry. Participants got to try hand-on experiments with liquid nitrogen and see variou
Grandma Janet Wiley and granddaughter Teri Wiley pose for a portrait during Grandparents University on Thursday, July 16, 2015. “This is my first time at Grandparents U, she’s only six-years-old, so I was a little nervous , but it’s really nice grandparen
Grandpa Joe and Grandma Jan Jorgensen with grandchildren Allison and Emma “This is our third time here. We did the Secret Life of Trees class this time, and so far it’s been great. Allison has almost a book full of writing. She takes down almost every
Grandparents and their grandchildren enjoy lunch on the Old Main lawn Thursday, July 16, 2015, during Grandparents University. Photo by Mariko Osterberg / WWU Communications and Marketing intern