Local students can take part in Children's Opportunities for Outside Learning programs this summer in C.M. Musser Elementary School, Sharon.

The following are open to sixth- through eighth-graders:

   » "The Great Solar System Rescue" -- Session I.

   » "Science Seekers" -- Safe Water, Session II; and Endangered Species, Session III.

   » "Mask World: Folktales, Myths and Legends" -- Session I and II.

   » "Making the News" -- Session III.

   » "Math Mysteries" -- Session I.

   » "Prime Time Math" -- Session II and III.

   » "Survival Study Skills."

   » "Art/Recreation" -- Art concepts, Monday through Thursday; Stomp, July 15 through 18; Martial arts introduction, July 22 through 25; and Soccer, July 2 through Aug. 1.

   » "Rap-up" -- Learning for life.

The following courses are set with Session I, Monday through Thursday; Session II, July 15 through 18; and Session III, Aug. 5 through 8:

   » Beginning ballet -- 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Thursdays, for seventh- and eighth-graders.

   » Read and Discuss Group -- 3 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays.

   » COOL Teen Fashion Board -- Students will take part in a back-to-school fashion show.

Session I for fourth- through eighth-graders is running through July 3; Session II, July 8 through 25; and Session III, July 29 through Aug. 16. The first session will begin with an afternoon family event from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Daily classes for Session I began Tuesday.

Check-in is 9 to 9:15 a.m. for fourth- through sixth-graders with classes from 9:15 to 11 a.m. Lunch is 11:30 a.m. to noon and "rap-up," noon to 12:30 p.m. The following classes are planned:

   » Science Court -- Water cycle and seasons for Session I; living things and fossils, Session II; and gravity and inertia, Session III.

   » Literature and writing workshop -- Poetry and plays, Session I; historical and realistic fiction, Session II; and news writing and non-fiction, Session III.

   » Thinking Skills and Math Adventures.

   » "Art/Recreation" -- Art concepts, Monday through Thursday; Stomp, July 15 through 18; Martial arts introduction, July 22 through 25; and Soccer, July 2 through Aug. 1.

Classes are 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. for sixth- through eighth-graders. Lunch is noon to 12:30 p.m.; and "rap-up," 3:30 to 4 p.m.

Family field trips are planned for each session. Session I trips will be Pymatuning State Park, Wilderness Center, Hatchery and Spillway; Session II, Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium; and Session III, family picnic at Waldameer Amusement Park, Erie.

The program is funded though a federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant. Registration is available in the school. Information: (724) 981-4381.