STEM Programs in Reston, VA

Soft Opening Series! 🌟 FREE In-Person “Spring into Speaking” Workshop For Grades 9–12 | Hosted by Highest Speak **One workshop date per student! ⚡ High schoolers only! (No middle schoolers crashing, we see you 😏) We’re opening the doors to our brand new Public Speaking Center in Reston — and we want high schoolers to be the first to break it in! This isn’t a boring lecture. This is all about building confidence, having fun, and getting real-time practice in a chill, supportive space. Here’s what to expect: 🎙️ Learn how to speak with confidence, clarity, and presence 🎭 Jump into fun games and speaking challenges that make practice actually enjoyable 🎤 Try your hand at mini-performances — think intros, storytelling, improv, and short speeches 👋 Meet our awesome coaches and connect with other teens who are here to grow their voice too Whether you’re a little nervous, love performing, or just want to try something new — this workshop is designed to help you feel more you when you speak. 👀 Parents — join us at the end for a brief info session where we’ll share details about our Summer Camps and Year-Round Programs. No pressure — just good vibes and helpful info. Let’s help your teen walk out with a louder voice, stronger confidence, and maybe even a few laughs along the way.

🎭 Write & Shine: Creative Writing + Theater & Improv Afternoon Bundle – 2 Weeks of Creative Fun! ✨ 📍 Reston, VA | For Rising Grades 2-4 | July 7-18 (Weekdays Only) This 2-week afternoon camp offers the perfect blend of creative writing, acting, and improv! Kids will develop their writing skills while expressing their creativity through Readers Theater, Monologues, and Improv Games. With high-energy, interactive activities, they'll gain confidence in both public speaking and storytelling. 🗓️ Daily Schedule: ⏳ 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM – Lunchtime (Students can bring their lunch or be dropped off by 1:45 PM) 🎭 1:45 PM - 2:00 PM – Circle Time (Warm-Up & Creative Exercises) 🎤 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM – Creative Writing + Theater & Improv (Part 1 & 2) 🌟 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM – Wind Down & Parent Pick-Up Afternoon Sessions (1 PM - 4 PM, Monday-Friday) WEEK 1 (July 7-11) 💡 Emotions in Motion – Readers Theater, Monologues & Improv ✅ Express Emotions through Acting – Learn how to portray emotions using voice and body language ✅ Readers Theater – Practice performing scripts and stories with classmates ✅ Monologues & Improv – Perform solo and improvise scenes to boost confidence ✅ High-Energy Fun – Through games and activities, campers will practice public speaking and acting while having a blast! WEEK 2 (July 14-18) ✍️ Write & Shine – A Creative Writing Adventure! ✅ Creative Writing – Develop short stories, characters, and settings through fun exercises ✅ Presentation & Public Speaking – Present stories and ideas to the group ✅ Fun Challenges – Creative games to spark imagination and improve storytelling skills ✅ Feedback & Growth – Receive positive feedback to improve writing and speaking skills 🎯 Perfect for kids who: ✔️ Love acting, improv, and performance ✔️ Want to improve their writing skills and express themselves creatively ✔️ Need confidence in public speaking in a fun, supportive environment 📢 Special Bundle Pricing Available – Register for Both Weeks & Save! Limited spots available – don’t miss out on this exciting summer camp experience! 🎟️

Location: Our New Center in Herndon Duration: 5 Weeks | 1 Hour Per Class Get ready for a high-energy, fun-packed experience where your child will discover the power of persuasion in the most exciting way! Persuasive speaking is a life-changing skill that helps kids express their ideas with confidence, influence others, and make their voices heard. Through lively games, engaging lessons, and creative challenges, your child will master the art of persuasion while having an absolute blast! LEARN • Explore the elements of persuasive speech and writing through interactive lessons and fun, real-world class discussions. • Be introduced to simple debate techniques in a playful and approachable way that boosts confidence. • Learn how to quickly structure both impromptu and prepared persuasive speeches in dynamic, fast-paced activities. • Discover techniques to captivate an audience with humor, creativity, and confidence. • Learn how to persuade different audiences with the right content while keeping things fun and engaging. • Learn how to better manage public speaking anxiety and nervousness, building confidence to speak up and present with ease. • Build a solid understanding of structure, tone, and delivery for persuasive presentations in a lively, supportive environment. DO • Work on both impromptu and prepared pitches, presentations, and speeches with high-energy practice activities. • Create imaginative and hilarious pitches with teammates for collaborative, laughter-filled challenges. • Participate in energetic demonstrations, role-playing, and interactive games that make learning unforgettable. • Receive individualized feedback, regardless of your child’s starting skill level, to ensure they improve in every session. IMPROVE • Sharpen public speaking and persuasion skills through instant feedback and hands-on practice. • Use the feedback instantly to ensure that the student captures it and applies it right away. • Benefit from personalized coaching that challenges and supports every student from their baseline. • Develop confidence, creativity, and clarity in expressing ideas, whether at school or in everyday life. Also, for classes with more than 10 students, two enthusiastic instructors will lead the sessions to guarantee every child gets the attention and feedback they deserve. Oh, and did we mention? Our instructors are professional educators AND performers who bring tons of energy and humor to every class. Your child will laugh, learn, and leave feeling excited for the next session! Please note: Occasional assignments will be given to maximize the class benefits.

Persuasive Speaking Class (Grades 5-8) Location: Our New Center in Herndon Duration: 5 Weeks | 1 Hour Per Class Get ready for a high-energy, dynamic class where your middle schooler will discover the power of persuasive speaking in the most exciting, interactive way possible! Persuasion is a critical skill, whether they’re preparing for a debate, presenting an argument in class, or simply trying to convince their friends. Through hilarious games, interactive lessons, and exciting challenges, your child will learn how to captivate their audience, create compelling arguments, and speak with confidence. LEARN - Explore the elements of persuasive speech and writing through interactive lessons and engaging class discussions. - Be introduced to simple debate techniques in a fun, hands-on way that boosts confidence. - Learn how to quickly structure both impromptu and prepared persuasive speeches in energetic, fast-paced activities. - Discover techniques for captivating an audience, using humor, creativity, and compelling content. - Learn how to persuade different audiences by tailoring content to their interests, needs, and perspectives. - Learn how to better manage public speaking anxiety and nervousness, building confidence to speak up and present with ease. - Build a solid understanding of structure, tone, and delivery for persuasive presentations in a lively, supportive environment. DO - Work on both impromptu and prepared pitches, presentations, and speeches with high-energy practice sessions. - Create fun, impactful pitches and arguments with teams for collaborative, laughter-filled activities. - Participate in exciting demonstrations, role-playing, and interactive games that make learning fun and memorable. - Receive individualized feedback, regardless of your child’s starting skill level, to ensure they improve in every session. IMPROVE - Sharpen persuasive speaking skills through instant feedback and hands-on practice. - Use the feedback instantly to ensure that the student captures it and applies it right away. - Benefit from personalized coaching that challenges and supports every student based on their individual progress. - Develop greater confidence, creativity, and clarity in expressing ideas, whether in class, social settings, or everyday conversations. Also, for classes with more than 10 students, two enthusiastic instructors will lead the sessions to guarantee every student gets the individual attention and feedback they deserve. Did we mention? Our instructors are professional educators AND performers who bring tons of energy and humor to every class! This unique blend ensures your child will have an unforgettable experience that’s both fun and educational. Please note: Occasional assignments will be given to maximize the class benefits. Give your child the skills to persuade with power and confidence—reserve their spot today!

Baby Shark Tank: Young Entrepreneurs & Public Speaking Camp! 💡 For Rising 2nd-4th Graders | 5-Day Camp | 3 Hours Per Day Does your child have big ideas and a creative spark, or do they need a little encouragement to think outside the box? In Baby Shark Tank, we help all kids—whether naturally inventive or just getting started—hone their creativity, critical thinking, and public speaking skills while bringing their ideas to life! Inspired by the hit show Shark Tank, this incredibly fun, high-energy, interactive camp introduces young entrepreneurs to the world of business, marketing, problem-solving, and persuasive speaking. Through fun challenges and hands-on projects, campers will learn to develop, market, and pitch their own creative ideas, all while solving real-world problems and gaining confidence in their communication skills. What Campers Will Learn & Do: ✅ Brainstorm & Design their own product or business idea ✅ Solve Real-World Problems by creating solutions for everyday challenges ✅ Learn Persuasion & Marketing to make their ideas stand out ✅ Create Posters & Ads to showcase their brand ✅ Develop Public Speaking & Confidence through fun speech and debate exercises ✅ Work Independently & in Teams to refine their presentations ✅ Pitch to a Panel of Experienced Judges on the final day! 💬 Public Speaking Focus! Campers will learn how to: ✔️ Use voice projection, body language, and expression to speak with confidence ✔️ Craft a compelling pitch that keeps audiences engaged ✔️ Effectively present with posters, props, and visuals—a valuable skill for STEAM-based projects ✔️ Think on their feet and respond to questions like a pro Daily Schedule Breakdown Each day is structured to keep kids engaged, active, and learning in a fun, interactive way! 🔹 Part 1 (First 90 Minutes) Ice Breaker Game – A fun activity to warm up creativity and public speaking skills Lesson of the Day – Introduction to key concepts (entrepreneurship, persuasion, marketing, problem-solving, storytelling, etc.) Guided Discussion & Examples – Looking at real-world business ideas and how kids can apply similar strategies 🍎 20-Minute Snack & Social Break 🔹 Part 2 (Last 90 Minutes) Hands-On Challenge! Campers work independently or in teams to complete a task based on the lesson Creative Time – Designing posters, writing scripts, practicing pitches Mini-Presentations & Feedback – Sharing progress and learning to give & receive constructive feedback 🎉 Final Shark Tank Pitch Day! Campers will present their ideas to a panel of experienced judges in a fun, high-energy showcase that puts their skills to the test! 🚀🦈

"The Great Debate!" 1-Week Debate Camp for Rising 5th-8th Graders! We are beyond excited to launch our 5-day Debate Camp, led by Aaron Trujillo, PhD Candidate at GMU and an Expert Debate Coach! With years of experience coaching students from elementary school to the Master's level, Aaron has helped multiple teams win championships—and now he’s bringing his expertise to Highest Speak to help your child develop confidence, critical thinking, and speaking skills! ✨ No prior debate experience required! Whether your child is brand new to debate and looking to get a taste of it or an experienced debater looking to sharpen their skills, this camp is for everyone. It’s the perfect opportunity to dive into debate and have fun, learn new skills, and build confidence in a high-energy environment. What makes this camp so special? This 1-week camp is filled with hands-on lessons, fun activities, and friendly competition, ensuring your child develops as a confident, articulate speaker. It’s a great starting point for beginners and perfect practice for experienced debaters. Here’s what we’ll cover each day: Day 1: What is Debate? Introduction to debate and its importance Exploring different debate styles Fun activities to build a strong foundation Day 2: Structuring a Strong Argument How to build a solid argument step-by-step Crafting claims, evidence, and reasoning Group activities to practice structuring arguments Day 3: Crafting a Compelling Speech Tips and tricks for writing a persuasive speech Learning how to capture attention and hold an audience’s interest Practice delivering speeches with confidence Day 4: Mastering Rebuttals and Questions Responding to others’ arguments with strong rebuttals Practicing asking and answering questions like a pro Group debates with real-time feedback Day 5: Final Practice & Mini Debate Tournament Putting everything into action with a mini debate tournament Individualized feedback to help each student improve Fun and friendly competition to showcase what they’ve learned Why Debate is Important for Middle Schoolers: Debate builds confidence, teaches critical thinking, and helps your child become a persuasive speaker—skills they’ll use in school, social settings, and beyond! Plus, learning how to argue respectfully and thoughtfully is an important life skill. This camp is perfect for both beginners who want to give debate a try and experienced debaters looking to practice in a supportive, energetic environment. Small Class Sizes = BIG Impact! To ensure personalized coaching and feedback, class sizes are limited. Your child will receive individual attention from Aaron and other coaches to help them improve every day. Fun & High-Energy Atmosphere: Led by Aaron Trujillo, PhD Candidate at GMU and an Expert Debate Coach, our camp is all about having fun while learning! With his expertise and infectious energy, your child will feel excited and motivated every day. Important Dates: 🗓️ 5 days, 3 hours each day 📍 Location: Reston, VA Spots are filling up FAST—don’t miss this chance to help your child become a confident, skilled debater in a fun, supportive environment! Secure their spot today!

Speak & Shine Morning Bundle – 2 Weeks of Confidence & Fun! 🌟 📍 Reston, VA | For Rising Grades 2-4 | July 7-18 (Weekdays Only) Give your child the ultimate confidence boost with two weeks of high-energy, fun-filled morning sessions designed to build strong communication skills through interactive games, creative challenges, and engaging activities! 🗓️ Daily Schedule: ⏳ 9:30 AM – Early Drop-Off (Optional, with Fee) 🎤 10 AM - 11:30 AM – Morning Session (Part 1) 🍎 11:30 - 11:50 AM – Snack Break 💡 11:50 AM - 1 PM – Morning Session (Part 2) Morning Sessions (10 AM - 1 PM, Monday-Friday) WEEK 1 (July 7-11) 🎤 Public Speaking Fun & Fundamentals! ✅ Learn the basics of speaking with confidence and expression ✅ Practice storytelling, persuasive speaking, and simple debates ✅ Play fun improv and speaking games to build confidence ✅ Get comfortable speaking in front of a group in a supportive, encouraging setting WEEK 2 (July 14-18) 💡 Baby Shark Tank – Young Entrepreneurs & Public Speaking! ✅ Brainstorm fun business ideas and practice pitching them ✅ Learn how to explain ideas clearly and persuasively ✅ Create simple posters, ads, and presentations for a friendly Shark Tank-style challenge ✅ Present ideas to a panel of "judges" in a fun, no-pressure environment 🎯 Perfect for kids who: ✔️ Love interactive learning and exciting challenges ✔️ Want to build confidence speaking in front of others ✔️ Enjoy creative projects and teamwork 📢 Special Bundle Pricing Available – Register for Both Weeks & Save! Spots are limited! Sign up today for an exciting, confidence-building experience! 🎟️

🎉 Speak and Greet! 🎤 Parent & Child Workshop + Grand Opening Celebration! For Grades 1–4 (with Parent!) Friday, June 7 | Hosted by Highest Speak 📍 At our brand new Public Speaking Center in Reston We don’t just want you to see our new space… We want you to EXPERIENCE it — together! Join us for Speak and Greet! — a joyful, hands-on public speaking workshop where parents and kids team up to build confidence, try fun speaking games, and get a feel for the magic behind Highest Speak. Whether you’re 7 or 37, you’ll walk away with useful tools, a big smile, and maybe even a little stage sparkle. Here’s what’s in store: 🎙️ Learn simple, powerful public speaking tools you can use at school, work, and everyday life 🎲 Play high-energy games that build confidence and connection 🎭 Try light, fun speaking activities — no pressure, just play 🍩 Enjoy some treats, tour our new space, and meet our amazing instructors! ⏰ The full experience will last up to 1 hour and 30 minutes — plenty of time to learn, laugh, mingle, and get a feel for our community. Let’s kick off summer with confidence, connection, and a lot of fun. We can’t wait to welcome you in! 🎈 Space is limited — RSVP soon to grab your spot!