Activities and Clubs
Heritage Christian Academy is pleased to offers a variety of after school enrichment programs.
(This is not a complete list of activities)
Heritage First Lego League
Heritage Christian Academy is involved in First Lego League. FIRST Lego League, founded by Dean Kamen (the inventor of the Segway) is an international robotics program intended to spark interest in science and engineering for kids ages 9-14. Each year, teams of students plan, build, and program an autonomous robot, using Lego Mindstorms, to solve a series of challenges centered around a real-world problem. The teams use their robots to compete with other schools in sports-like tournaments and present their research and inventions to judges. At Heritage, teams begin meeting during the second week of school in the fall. Guided by a coach, parent helpers and student mentors, the teams meet once or twice a week from September through November. Regional qualifying tournaments are held in early December, a State Championship Tournament in January, and World Festival in April.
LINKS:
FIRST Lego League - National Official Site
Hi-Tech Kids - Minnesota Official Site
For more information, please contact Paul Asp (763)425-8570.
HCA Steel Claws Lego League Team!
The Heritage Christian Academy Steel Claws Lego League Team competed in the 2009 State tournament on the University of Minnesota campus. They competed against 33 other teams, and won 4th place overall! The team got the first place trophy for their Research Presentation, and second place for both the Robot Performance and Research Project Assessment.
Destination ImagiNation
“DI” is a fun after-school club that encourages kids to work in teams to come up with creative solutions to wacky challenges.
Destination ImagiNation develops creative problem-solving skills, and gives kids the opportunity to stretch their minds in new ways. It is part theater, part science, part teamwork and ALL fun!
Within DI, there are five different types of challenges that can be chosen, some of which are more acting related, and a few with a focus on architectural design or structural engineering. Each team of 2-7 students chooses a challenge, and meets weekly during January and February after school, in preparation for the regional tournament at the end of February. During these weekly meetings, the team works on exercises that build teamwork, collaboration, and presentation skills, apply critical thinking to "instant challenges", and create a skit to support their challenge.
Spanish Club
HOLA!
Heritage Christian Academy is pleased to offer a foreign language to all of our elementary students. Gracias to Mrs. Jennifer Mills for taking on the task of teaching the Spanish language and culture to our Kindergarten through 5th grade students. This instruction takes place during the school day. Undoubtedly, learning a foreign language will help prepare our students for communication and sharing of the Gospel on a more global basis.
CHESS CLUB
National Chess Master William Harrison’s instructs club members in this Royal Game! South West Chess is dedicated to the instruction and appreciation of the game of chess. Club members learn strategies for openings, mid games, and end games. Our HCA Chess Club members have participated in tournaments and we now have many trophies on display.
ART CLUB
Creativity Takes Flight at Heritage Christian Academy!
KidsArt is here! Our Art Club members learn to draw the easy KidzArt way while using Prismacolor markers, chalk, watercolor, and more artist-grade materials. KidzArt takes art classes to a new level through engaging the imagination and creating a safe environment to take risks. KidzArt's number one rule is to "Have Fun", they believe all kids can learn to be successful and build self-confidence with art!