Spells Writing Lab

Now Hiring: Spells Summer Writing Camp Internships!

lizencarn — Mon, 02 Apr 2018 21:55:52 +0000

Spells Writing Lab seeks enthusiastic, creative, and dedicated summer interns who will collaborate with our staff, volunteers, and fellow interns to plan and execute our free writing day camp in Philadelphia. Attracting a diverse group of students from around the city, our summer program features a different theme and major storytelling project each week, providing both enrichment and excitement as we work to stem the summer achievement gap for Philly’s kids and plant the seeds for a lifelong love of learning.

Summer program interns will work both collaboratively and individually to design and present writing activities during camp, with an emphasis on experiential learning. Interns will also work one-on-one with our young authors, guiding them through the writing process and helping them realize their full creative potential. In addition, program interns will have responsibility for supervising students during camp activities and field trips, mentoring high-school interns and other junior volunteers, and assisting with the publication of student work. Additional projects based on the intern’s personal skills and interests can also be developed.

The ideal candidate will have a passion for creative writing and storytelling, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. Interested candidates should be prepared to follow Spells Writing Lab’s affirmative approach to working with students of all ages and backgrounds, which focuses on designing high-interest, irreverant lessons; using positive reinforcement; redirecting minor behavior issues with patience and supportive engagement; and maintaining a good sense of humor. Experience with kids in a professional or casual setting and/or editing, proofreading, or design skills is preferred. Interest in other forms of artistic expression (photography, film, music, etc.) is also a plus.

We’re now accepting applications for our summer internships, which run from June through August. To apply, please send an email to write@phillyspells.org. The email should include a PDF attachment of your current resume along with a cover letter pasted into the body of the email that highlights specific skills and experience you would bring to Spells, as well as what you hope to gain from the internship. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until May 1 or until all positions are filled.

Music Mania 2017

lizencarn — Thu, 04 May 2017 12:00:44 +0000

Are you an aspiring songwriter? Learn the ins and outs of rhythm and rhyme as we transform our lab into a songwriting studio! We’ll work with professional musicians to learn what lyrics and poems have in common, inject some new life into classic tunes, and sing the blues. See the other side of the music business as we become music critics, reviewing songs from a variety of recording artists. By the end of the week, we’ll write and record an original song!

*Note: we do not have access to our usual space on Friday, July 28, so we are working to arrange a field trip that may require parents to drop off and pick up from another location in Philadelphia. We will share information with registered parents as soon as possible.*

Registration is free, but requires a refundable deposit of $25 plus processing charges. The registration will not be valid until the deposit has been received by Spells Writing Lab.

Adventure Time 2017

lizencarn — Thu, 04 May 2017 12:00:27 +0000

Our mysterious founder, Dr. Benjamin Franklin Spells, is a writer, publisher, inventor—and avid adventurer! Join us for this thrilling week of action, as we recreate some of his wildest exploits and find creative solutions for escaping death or dismemberment. The Spells Adventurers will be traveling the globe (in our minds) to complete team challenges, write dramatic Choose-Your-Own Adventure stories, complete a National Treasure–style scavenger hunt in Philly’s historical area, and save Dr. Spells from certain destruction on the slopes of an erupting volcano!

Registration is free, but requires a refundable deposit of $25 plus processing charges. The registration will not be valid until the deposit has been received by Spells Writing Lab.

Writing Your Roots 2017

lizencarn — Thu, 04 May 2017 12:00:15 +0000

Who do you think you are? How much do you know about your roots, the ancestors whose DNA you carry, the people whose struggles and successes eventually led to you? During this crash course in genealogy, you’ll expand your family tree by scouring census records, searching newspaper reports, and using other online resources to learn more about your family and the times they lived in. You’ll also explore the art of interviewing family members to record their memories before those precious family stories are forgotten. Finally, you’ll bring one of your ancestors to life by writing and performing a monologue dramatizing a key moment from their life.

Campers should bring a rough family tree with whatever genealogical information their family already knows for the first day. Additional information about this will be sent to participants closer to camp.

Friends and family are invited to join us on Friday, July 14 from noon to 1pm as we perform our family history monologues.

Registration is free, but requires a refundable deposit of $25 plus processing charges. The registration will not be valid until the deposit has been received by Spells Writing Lab.

The Monster Mash 2017

lizencarn — Thu, 04 May 2017 12:00:04 +0000

Welcome to Monster School! Dr. Spells is awfully sorry, but his Monster-Making Machine has gone haywire, and you’ve been transformed into one of his lab experiments gone wrong. In order to adapt to your new life, you’ll need to study up on the history of your beastly brethren, revealing the real stories behind Hollywood legends like Frankenstein’s monster, the Mummy, and Dracula. Other classes on your scary schedule include mad science, interviewing zombies, and cooking for cryptids—will you make the ghoulish grade?

Registration is free, but requires a refundable deposit of $25 plus processing charges. The registration will not be valid until the deposit has been received by Spells Writing Lab.

Spies Like Us 2017

lizencarn — Thu, 04 May 2017 12:00:04 +0000

Shhh….Spells Writing Lab is seeking talented young writers for a top-secret undercover assignment at our Spy School. Create your legend, gather pocket litter, and become a master of disguise. Learn the art of cryptography so you can send and decipher encoded messages. Then write fictionalized accounts of your most mysterious adventures. After an intensive week of training by our operatives, you’ll have to use your secret agent skills to write a training manual for future spies and save Dr. Spells from the mole in our organization. Do you have what it takes to be a master spy?

Registration is free, but requires a refundable deposit of $25 plus processing charges. The registration will not be valid until the deposit has been received by Spells Writing Lab.

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities with Spells Writing Lab

lizencarn — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 19:32:22 +0000

Spells Writing Lab is taking to the streets this spring, bringing our trademark writing activities to several public events around the city, including the Philadelphia Science Festival and the Philadelphia Literacy Day!

Volunteers do NOT need completed clearances for the following public events. If you are interested in helping out, please email Program Director Liz at volunteer@phillyspells.org with the date(s) and time(s) you’d like to volunteer!

Monday, April 24, 3:15-5:45pm

Philadelphia Science Festival Science After School

Ramonita de Rodriguez Free Library Branch, 600 W Girard Ave.

Thursday, April 27, 3:15-5:45pm

Philadelphia Science Festival Science After School

Queen Memorial Library, 1201 S. 23rd St.

Saturday, April 29, 9am-noon -or- 11:30am-2:30pm -or- 2pm-4:30pm

Philadelphia Science Festival Carnival

Penn’s Landing

Saturday, May 13, 10am-1pm -or- 12:30pm-3:30pm

Philadelphia Literacy Day

Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse, 3500 Reservoir Drive

This Is My Philly 2017

lizencarn — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 19:45:16 +0000

DO YOU LOVE YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?
What’s your favorite place, building, park, or person where you live? Is there something unique about your home? What smells, sounds, and tastes make you feel safe and happy? There’s something special about all of the diverse communities and citizens that make up Philadelphia. No matter what the size or location, we all feel a sense of pride and love for the familiar feeling of our neighborhoods.

Join Spells Writing Lab and AIGA Philadelphia for the sixth annual This Is My Philly writing and image-making workshop celebrating the special neighborhoods of our city! During this workshop, participants will write a sensory poem evoking Philly’s positive qualities and work with design students from programs at local colleges to illustrate them with collages that showcase “My Philadelphia.”

The Science of Experimental Writing—Homeschool Edition

lizencarn — Thu, 14 Apr 2016 22:01:29 +0000

The Science of Experimental Writing is a four-session series of linked creative writing workshops presented in local public, charter, parochial, and independent schools—and now we’re offering this program for homeschoolers!

During these immersive and engaging classroom visits, students learn how to lie like an author, rethink how they approach revisions, and reimagine their stories in surprising ways.

We are offering this special program in partnership with the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Chestnut Hill Branch on Tuesdays starting on May 3 and running through May 24. When registering, please select the time that works best for your family: 10:30am–12:30pm or 1pm–3pm.

Students should plan to attend all four sessions of the program, as the writing activities are linked.

The Vile League of Villainy

lizencarn — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 17:05:36 +0000

Have you perfected your evil laugh? Hired a sinister henchman? Become a superhero’s nemesis? If so, then you might be nefarious enough to qualify for the Vile League of Villainy. Join us in our secret lair at Spells Writing Lab this summer, as we study all the despicable skills needed to become a true super villain. After assessing our fiendish tendencies, we’ll create suitably unpleasant backstories, develop horribly villainous costumes, and finalize our diabolical plans for world domination. Finally, we’ll document our dishonorable deeds by commandeering our sworn enemies’ favorite propaganda piece, the comic book, and telling the story our way—the villainous way.

Registration is free, but requires a refundable deposit of $25 plus processing charges. The registration will not be valid until the deposit has been received by Spells Writing Lab.

Blast from the Past

lizencarn — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 17:04:31 +0000

Revolution is brewing! Walk in the footsteps of the founding fathers as we visit the historic Powel House to learn more about colonial life and how including period details can make historical fiction seem real. Then we’ll jaunt out to the rural summer villas of the Philadelphia elite to imagine the stories those walls could tell. This trip through time ends with a performance of puppet plays we’ll write about those Charms of Fairmount Park to bring this exciting era to life.

This camp week includes two field trips thanks to the generosity of the Fairmount Park Conservancy, the stewardship groups of the Charms of Fairmount Park, and the Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks.

Registration is free, but requires a refundable deposit of $25 plus processing charges. The registration will not be valid until the deposit has been received by Spells Writing Lab.

Out of This World

lizencarn — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 17:02:34 +0000

Welcome, aspiring astronauts, to Dr. Spells’ Space Camp, where we will perform NASA-inspired experiments to expand our understanding of the great beyond! From stars to Mars, and all the black holes and meteors in between, we’ll combine that real space knowledge with our imaginations as we trek across the universe, creating strange new worlds and alien lifeforms and writing science fiction. So grab your pencils and buckle into our spacecraft, the Spells Sputnik 500, as we shoot out to the Milky Way!

Registration is free, but requires a refundable deposit of $25 plus processing charges. The registration will not be valid until the deposit has been received by Spells Writing Lab.

Kids v. Food

lizencarn — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 17:01:41 +0000

Are you a foodie? Do you watch shows like Man vs. Food; Drivers, Dine-Ins, and Dives; and Top Chef? Love to try new foods? Want to tell other people the best places to eat in Philly? If so, our Kids v. Food adventure is perfect for you! Test out your taste buds on many flavors, from sour and salty to sweet and spicy. After learning from professional food writers like restaurant critics, food bloggers, and even chefs, we’ll review each bite, sharing our opinions with the masses. So pick up those forks, spoons, knives—and pencils. Be our guest as we put others’ cooking to the test!

Registration is free, but requires a refundable deposit of $25 plus processing charges. The registration will not be valid until the deposit has been received by Spells Writing Lab.

Shiver Me Timbers!

lizencarn — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 17:00:40 +0000

Ahoy, mateys! Be ye a landlubber that dreams of sailing under the Jolly Roger? Join the sea dogs of Spells as we plunder pieces of eight, write sea shanties, and get a crash course in pirates—from bilge rats to hornswagglers to scurvy. Then share yer swashbuckling tales with pictures and words as ye create stories about yer seafaring adventures. But avast, me hearties! Act smartly, lest ye be forced to walk the plank.

Registration is free, but requires a refundable deposit of $25 plus processing charges. The registration will not be valid until the deposit has been received by Spells Writing Lab.

Insta-sodes: Short-Burst Storytelling with Social Cinema

lizencarn — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 17:00:28 +0000

How concisely can you tell a scripted story? With help from a local web series writer and producer, we’ll get a crash course in writing webisodes, those short, serialized TV episodes that live on the Internet, and how they’re different from writing for regular TV or films. Then we’ll create our own Instagram-based web series that reveal the plot in daily 15-second increments—breaking down and storyboarding the key story beats, writing scripts, filming and editing the episodes, and then premiering and promoting our super-short webisodes on social media.

Registration is free, but requires a refundable deposit of $25 plus processing charges. The registration will not be valid until the deposit has been received by Spells Writing Lab.

Philadelphia Science Festival: Carnival at Penn’s Landing

lizencarn — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 05:45:31 +0000

You’ve never experienced an outdoor carnival like this one! The Carnival at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing features more than 175 exhibitors offering non-stop, family-friendly experiments, interactive activities, games, and a packed line-up of live entertainment. Enjoy making slime, meeting live zoo animals, checking out the inner-workings of robots, taking a tour of a helicopter, extracting DNA from a strawberry, testing a “crime scene” for forensic evidence, and so much more!

At the Spells booth, we’ll be helping young scientists answer the question “How does science make superheroes super?” Families will have the opportunity to test the science behind extraordinary powers such as Spider-Man’s sticky fingers and Magneto’s ability to control electromagnetic fields before inventing their own science-inspired heroes or villains and making a trading card!

Philadelphia Science Festival: Neighborhood Science After School

lizencarn — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 05:36:00 +0000

Join Spells Writing Lab and the Philadelphia Science Festival at our neighborhood library after school for a celebration of science exploration!

Scientists, engineers, and other experts will share their knowledge to provide FUN and FREE programs filled with exciting activities, animal encounters, family-friendly experiments, and hands-on demonstrations for all to enjoy.

Spells volunteers will be sharing the secrets of superhero science as part of this event.

Philadelphia Science Festival: Discovery Day in Clark Park

lizencarn — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 05:25:07 +0000

How does science make superheroes super? Learn the answer to this and other exciting scientific questions at the Philadelphia Science Festival’s Discovery Day event in Clark Park, which features more than 20 interactive, hands on activities throughout the park from the neighborhood’s universities, research centers, and others. Spells volunteers will give kids the opportunity to test the science behind popular superpowers and create their own science-inspired heroes or villains!

The Philadelphia Science Festival is a nine-day, community-wide celebration of science that takes place annually in April, featuring lectures, debates, hands-on activities, special exhibitions and a variety of other informal science education experiences for Philadelphians of all ages. Learn more at www.PhilaScienceFestival.org

Spells Summer Internships Are Back!

lizencarn — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 19:42:59 +0000

Do you . . .

Enjoy mentoring kids?
Have a desire to share your creativity and love of writing?
Proudly participate in Talk Like a Pirate Day?

If so, this could be the internship for you!

Join Spells Writing Lab this summer as we plan and host a free summer day camp at our headquarters in the Olde Kensington/Fishtown area. Attracting students from around the city, our writing camp focuses on a different theme and project each week, providing enrichment and excitement for Philly’s kids. Interns will lead writing activities and work one-on-one with young authors, guiding them through the writing process and helping them realize their full creative potential.

We’re now accepting applications for our summer internships, which run from mid-June through mid-August. To apply, please send an email to volunteer@phillyspells.org. The email should include a PDF attachment of your current resume and a cover letter pasted into the body of the email that highlights specific skills and experience you would bring to Spells, as well as what you hope to gain from the internship. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until May 1 or until all positions are filled.

REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum commitment of 25 hours per week
A passion for writing
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work independently and adapt to new situations
Experience with kids in a professional setting preferred
Editing, proofreading, or design skills a plus
Interest in other forms of artistic expression (photography, film, music, etc.) a plus

We look forward to hearing from you!

Hiring Now: Spring Internships at Spells Writing Lab

lizencarn — Sun, 06 Mar 2016 07:30:36 +0000

Do you . . .

Enjoy mentoring kids?
Have a desire to share your creativity and love of writing?
Love lab coats and funny goggles, talking like a pirate, and generally being silly?

If so, this could be the internship for you!

As an intern at our innovative writing lab providing in-school and out-of-school programming throughout the city, you will work one-on-one with young authors, guiding them through the writing process and helping them realize their full creative potential. Additional responsibilities include developing and presenting writing workshops or other educational programming, managing the production of classroom chapbooks and animated films, communicating with school administrators and educators, and assisting with volunteer management or community outreach.

We are currently accepting internship applications on a rolling basis. To apply, please send an email to volunteer@phillyspells.org. The email should include a PDF attachment of your current resume, and a cover letter pasted into the body of the email that highlights specific skills and experience you would bring to Spells, as well as what you hope to gain from the internship.

REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum commitment of 10–20 hours per week
A passion for writing
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work independently and adapt to new situations
Experience with kids in a professional setting preferred
Editing, proofreading, or design skills a plus
Interest in other forms of artistic expression (photography, film, music, etc.) a plus

THE REWARDS:

Adoration of our students
Opportunities to work with local educators, authors, and journalists
Transportation stipend
Free Spells Writing Lab t-shirt
Free admission to Spells Writing Lab events, including our annual fundraiser
Strong sense of accomplishment and pride from helping kids succeed

We look forward to hearing from you!

And to Think That I Saw It on Germantown Avenue

lizencarn — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 21:43:32 +0000

This March 2, we’re celebrating the birthday of Theodor Geisel—and Read Across America Day—with a superbly Seussical writing workshop inspired by his first published book, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street! Join us as we put on our red-striped hats, appreciate the master’s words, and create some silly stories and rambunctious rhymes of our own. It’ll be a birthday celebration to remember!

This Is My Philly 2016

lizencarn — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 22:51:49 +0000

Take a Deep Breath and Write What You See

lizencarn — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 22:25:46 +0000

Join Spells for our first weekend workshop in our new location, as we partner with BRIDGE to bring you a writing experience unlike anything you’ve done before!

We’re celebrating Dr. Seuss’s birthday a few weeks early, using yoga as a way to jump start tales inspired by his first book, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street. Through imaginative movement and breathing exercises designed to help remove writer’s block and allow kids to be silly and outlandish, students will tap into their creativity in brand new ways while making “mountains from minnows” and creating a Seussical story of their own.

Participants should wear loose, comfortable clothing beneath weather-appropriate outerwear, as we will be walking around the neighborhood for part of the workshop, and plan on removing shoes inside the studio. Yoga mats will be provided.

Hilarity for Charity

lizencarn — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 20:47:44 +0000

To purchase admission, select the number of tickets you want, type in your name for the guest list, and click on the Pay Now button. On the next screen, you can choose to use your PayPal account or pay with credit card.

PSF Science Carnival on the Parkway

lizencarn — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 04:59:16 +0000

The ultimate one-day science carnival will close this year’s Philadelphia Science Festival with 150 exhibitors presenting a packed line-up of live entertainment, interactive activities, games, and family-friendly experiments. You can enjoy liquid nitrogen ice cream, make gak, meet live zoo animals, check out the inner-workings of robots, take a tour of a helicopter, extract DNA from a strawberry, test a “crime scene” for forensic evidence, and so much more!

At the Spells booth, we’ll be helping young scientists solve the mystery of the stolen yeti poop. Children will take their own fingerprints to eliminate them as suspects, then they’ll learn how to examine the forensic evidence to determine the real culprit. Once they’ve made their accusation, they’ll write the end to the mystery!

PSF Discovery Day: Clark Park

lizencarn — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 04:53:54 +0000

How can forensic science help you solve the mystery of the missing yeti poop? Learn the answer to this and other exciting scientific questions at the Philadelphia Science Festival’s Discovery Day event in Clark Park, which features interactive, hands on activities throughout the park from the neighborhood’s universities, research centers, and others. Spells volunteers will give kids the opportunity to take their own fingerprints, examine the evidence, and write the ending to this scientific mystery! Learn more at www.PhilaScienceFestival.org

Totally Irresponsible Saturday Science Club—Hollywood Hijinks

lizencarn — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 04:41:46 +0000

Join us on the third Saturday of each month, as we turn our writing center into a mad scientist’s laboratory to perform totally messy, thrilling, and crazy experiments guaranteed to make your mom glad you’re not doing them at her house! Assuming we survive, these daring demonstrations serve as inspiration for more experiments—in writing!

This month, we’ll go behind-the-scenes to find out how filmmakers use science to make movies—including those amazing 3-D effects!

Totally Irresponsible Saturday Science Club—Superhero Science

lizencarn — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 04:37:12 +0000

This month, we’ll be investigating the scientific concepts that inspired our favorite superheroes, from Spiderman’s power to climb up buildings to Superman’s ability to jump over them, plus many more!

Story Quest: Create a Narrative Treasure Hunt

lizencarn — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 03:54:01 +0000

Join our team of intrepid explorers as we combine choose-your-own-adventure storytelling with the excitement of a hands-on scavenger hunt. Along the trail, we’ll explore digital and gaming technologies like geo-caching and QR codes to create narrative treasure maps. The stories we create are sure to leave their mark on Philadelphia.

Registration is free, but requires a refundable deposit of $25 via credit card, PayPal, check, or cash. The registration will not be valid until the deposit has been received by Spells Writing Lab.

The Time Machine

lizencarn — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 03:46:38 +0000

Dr. Spells and his malfunctioning time machine are stuck bouncing around the time-space continuum, and we have to save him! We’ll “visit” a wide variety of times & places—including a real trip to the Penn Museum—and use these flights of fancy to inspire time-travel graphic novels and other temporal-themed stories.

Registration is free, but requires a refundable deposit of $25 via credit card, PayPal, check, or cash. The registration will not be valid until the deposit has been received by Spells Writing Lab.

Get a Clue!

lizencarn — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 03:36:51 +0000

Spells Writing Lab has become a crime scene—can you help us solve this whodunit? Our junior detectives will experiment with forensic science and other investigative techniques as we learn about the elements of a good mystery story, from creating strong characters to revealing clues. How will the mystery end?

Registration is free, but requires a refundable deposit of $25 via credit card, PayPal, check, or cash. The registration will not be valid until the deposit has been received by Spells Writing Lab.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

lizencarn — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 03:22:56 +0000

Join us this summer to try your hand at a variety of sports writing, from blogs and podcasts to sportscasting and feature stories. We’ll even take a field trip to the Camden Riversharks’ Campbell Field for a behind-the-scenes tour before attending a game. If you’re a good sports writer, you could…go…all…the…way!

Registration is free, but requires a refundable deposit of $25 via credit card, PayPal, check, or cash. The registration will not be valid until the deposit has been received by Spells Writing Lab.

The Essential Philadelphia: Document Philly’s Best Experiences

lizencarn — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 03:20:42 +0000

Every year, thousands of visitors travel to the City of Brotherly Love for experiences found nowhere else: reliving history at Independence Hall; eating a cheesesteak in South Philly; running up the steps of the Art Museum like Rocky. But you are a real Philadelphian—what’s your can’t-miss list of things to do and see? What are your favorite Philly moments? Together, we’ll write and film a short travel documentary sharing the people, places, and experiences that make our hometown unique for tourists and residents alike. It’s your city: tell your story.

Registration is free, but requires a refundable deposit of $25 via credit card, PayPal, check, or cash. The registration will not be valid until the deposit has been received by Spells Writing Lab.

Destination: Philly

lizencarn — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 03:19:49 +0000

Share your love of Philadelphia while experimenting with many different types of travel writing, from using sensory details to describe favorite Philadelphia memories to writing reviews of wacky tourist attractions that suddenly pop up in our lab. Midweek, we’ll break into small groups for a field trip to film segments for a travel documentary about the best free things to do in Philly!

Registration is free, but requires a refundable deposit of $25 via credit card, PayPal, check, or cash. The registration will not be valid until the deposit has been received by Spells Writing Lab.

Wild, Wild West

lizencarn — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 03:10:34 +0000

Howdy, partner! We’re starting off the summer with a visit to the Old West. Immersing ourselves in the history of the American frontier, we’ll write historical fiction stories, create Native-American-inspired pourquoi tales, and produce silent Western films. Dust off your cowboy boots and spurs, and join us for this week of western fun!

Registration is free, but requires a refundable deposit of $25 via credit card, PayPal, check, or cash. The registration will not be valid until the deposit has been received by Spells Writing Lab.

Totally Irresponsible Saturday Science Club

lizencarn — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 19:00:16 +0000

In past sessions, we’ve made monster ice cream, held balloon races, used forensic science to solve a crime, and created our own natural disasters. What crazy experiments will we attempt this month? Join us and find out!

This Is My Philly 2015

lizencarn — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 18:36:10 +0000

What do you love about your neighborhood? What hidden gems—favorite places, experiences, people, and foods—can be found where you live? What makes your community unique and special? How does living in Philadelphia inspire you? No matter what the size or location, we all feel a sense of pride and love for our neighborhoods. With help from Spells Writing Lab volunteers and graphic design college students from around the city, you can put your feelings about Philadelphia on paper, creating a collage and supporting poem expressing your love for YOUR Philly.

Spells Writing Lab is partnering with AIGA Philadelphia for the fifth time to celebrate the special neighborhoods of our city. AIGA Philadelphia is a local organization comprised of creatives such as graphic designers, illustrators, educators, etc. During this workshop held at Moore College of Art & Design, participants will have the opportunity to see how professionally trained creatives work. After the workshop, graphic design students will work together to design a larger project or display that features all the pieces created in this workshop.

Spells Fundraiser with FBR

lizencarn — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 19:29:22 +0000

The Fishtown Beer Runners combine responsible running and consumption in the interest of science. They gather on Thursday nights to run three to five miles, and conclude each run at a pub.
FBR has earned a solid reputation for giving back to the community—several of their runners have led or helped with Spells writing workshops such as the Story of Magic and Inspire a Broad Street Story—and they will be dedicating their 1/22 run to help raise funds for Spells programs.
So come on out to 2nd Story Brewing—or join FBR for the run—on Thursday night to greet these friends of Spells, enjoy drink and food specials, and donate money to benefit our young writers!
Runs start at 7pm, so runners usually start arriving at the pub around 7:30 or 7:45. For more details, check out their newsletter: http://us4.campaign-archive1.com/?u=f97e64ea7ca5df73f433863a3&id=416eded40f&e

Totally Irresponsible Saturday Science Club—The Space Race

lizencarn — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 04:37:34 +0000

Learn the science skills of NASA engineers and astronauts as our December Sat Sci Club heads to outer space! In past sessions, we’ve made monster ice cream, held balloon races, used forensic science to solve a crime, and created our own natural disasters. What crazy experiments will we attempt this month? Join us and find out!

Totally Irresponsible Saturday Science Club—Crime Scene Investigation

lizencarn — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 04:21:55 +0000

This November, our Sat Sci Club participants will learn how to use forensic science to solve a crime. In past sessions, we’ve made monster ice cream, held balloon races, and created our own natural disasters. What crazy experiments will we attempt this month? Join us and find out!

Totally Irresponsible Saturday Science Club—The Haunted Laboratory

lizencarn — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 04:07:46 +0000

October’s Sat Sci Club gets into the Halloween spirit with a haunted laboratory theme. In past sessions, we’ve made monster ice cream, held balloon races, used forensic science to solve a crime, and created our own natural disasters. What crazy experiments will we attempt this month? Join us and find out!

The Monster Mash

lizencarn — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 13:00:12 +0000

Welcome to Monster School! Dr. Spells is awfully sorry, but his Monster-Making Machine has gone haywire, and you’ve been transformed into one of his lab experiments gone wrong. In order to adapt to your new life, you’ll need to study up on the history of your beastly brethren, revealing the real stories behind Hollywood legends like Frankenstein’s monster, the Mummy, and Dracula. Other classes on your scary schedule include mad science, insect inspiration, and graphic novel writing for new monsters—will you make the ghoulish grade?

Note: One day of camp will have extended hours to accommodate a field trip, details TBD.

Registration is free, but requires a refundable deposit of $25 via credit card, PayPal, check, or cash. The registration will not be valid until the deposit has been received by Spells Writing Lab.

Let the Games Begin!

lizencarn — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 12:00:27 +0000

Wonder what games have to do with writing? Almost all games tell some kind of story, from the fairy tale journey through Candyland to the mystery-solving challenge of Clue. First we’ll break down the basics of good game design, experimenting to answer questions like “What makes a game fun to play?” and “How does changing one element affect the gameplay?” Then we’ll make our ideas a reality by creating original games—designing the board and pieces, writing the rules, making the box, and even drawing ads for our new products!

Registration is free, but requires a refundable deposit of $25 via credit card, PayPal, check, or cash. The registration will not be valid until the deposit has been received by Spells Writing Lab.

Animal Explorers

lizencarn — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 11:00:04 +0000

If you love animals, this is the week for you! Each morning we’ll transform into Animal Explorers, seeking out local wildlife in the green spaces around Spells, writing shaped poetry and animal tales, and discovering our own imaginary creatures while on safari. We’ll even take a field trip to the National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum to film our own wildlife TV show! With special animal guests and plenty of critter creativity, this camp is sure to delight!

Note: One day of camp will have extended hours to accommodate our field trip to the National Wildlife Refuge, exact date TBD. All students will be required to have an animal waiver signed by a parent or guardian before participating in this camp week.

Registration is free, but requires a refundable deposit of $25 via credit card, PayPal, check, or cash. The registration will not be valid until the deposit has been received by Spells Writing Lab.

Adventure Time!

lizencarn — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 10:00:41 +0000

Our mysterious founder, Dr. Benjamin Franklin Spells, is a writer, publisher, inventor—and avid adventurer! Join us for this thrilling week of action, as we recreate some of his wildest exploits and find creative solutions for escaping death or dismemberment. The Spells Adventurers will be traveling the globe (in our minds) to complete team challenges, write dramatic Choose-Your-Own Adventure stories, and save Dr. Spells from certain destruction on the slopes of an erupting volcano!

Registration is free, but requires a refundable deposit of $25 via credit card, PayPal, check, or cash. The registration will not be valid until the deposit has been received by Spells Writing Lab.

Music Mania

lizencarn — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 09:00:32 +0000

Note: One day of camp may have extended hours to accommodate a field trip.

Registration is free, but requires a refundable deposit of $25 via credit card, PayPal, check, or cash. The registration will not be valid until the deposit has been received by Spells Writing Lab.

The Play’s the Thing

lizencarn — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 08:00:29 +0000

Dr. Spells is planning to premiere several one-act plays about fractured fairy tales this August on the outdoor stage in Ile Ife Park, in front of Spells Writing Lab. But there’s a problem—the plays haven’t been written yet! Learn the basics of playwriting and mashing up classic stories, then work in small groups to write the scripts, create the backdrops and props, and perform these new theatrical works, all in one week! These aren’t your average fairy tales, and with Dr. Spells around, who knows what kinds of other creatures might make their way into our story?

Registration is free, but requires a refundable deposit of $25 via credit card, PayPal, check, or cash. The registration will not be valid until the deposit has been received by Spells Writing Lab.

Lights! Camera! Action!

lizencarn — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 07:00:15 +0000

Dr. Spells is not only our mysterious founder, he’s also a big-time Hollywood producer. After the success of our previous short films, he’s ready to commission a new movie from his favorite screenwriters, the students of Spells. Join us for this crash course in filmmaking from green light to popcorn, as we brainstorm ideas, write a screenplay, shoot the movie, add visual effects, and premiere it—all in just one week!

Registration is free, but requires a refundable deposit of $25 via credit card, PayPal, check, or cash. The registration will not be valid until the deposit has been received by Spells Writing Lab.

Animation Studio

lizencarn — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 06:00:33 +0000

Are you into anime? A fan of flicks like Toy Story, Wallace & Gromit, Spirited Away, or The Lego Movie? A regular watcher of animated sitcoms such as The Simpsons or Family Guy? Animations like these are actually a series of thousands of pictures lined up in order—whether they are hand-drawn, taken with a camera, or made on a computer. There’s no need to be an expert illustrator, since you can even animate a stick figure drawing. Join us at Spells as we learn the techniques of top-notch animators and make our own animated stories using a wide variety of animation methods!

Registration is free, but requires a refundable deposit of $25 via credit card, PayPal, check, or cash. The registration will not be valid until the deposit has been received by Spells Writing Lab.

Video Game Creators

lizencarn — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 05:00:54 +0000

Are you a devoted gamer? Ever wondered how those video games are made? Learn about the basic elements of game design—Space, Components, Mechanics, Goals, and Rules—using both real-world and virtual tools. Discover why story lines, characters, and even settings are as essential to making a successful game as they are to writing a book. Craft a proposal to pitch your original idea to gaming companies. We’ll even design our own simple online games, then let others play them and tell you what they think!

Registration is free, but requires a refundable deposit of $25 via credit card, PayPal, check, or cash. The registration will not be valid until the deposit has been received by Spells Writing Lab.