Lyceum, Qualia's After-School Enrichment Program, **Now Starting Week of April 20**

Classes Start Monday, April 20 - Sign Up Now!

Open To Highly Curious Students From All Schools

Lyceum is Qualia’s after-school enrichment program, serving students ages 10-16. Designed to satisfy the insatiable curiosity of highly motivated learners, Lyceum offers advanced, challenging courses with hands-on learning and higher-level thinking.

Lyceum’s polymathic teachers encourage deep inquiry, crafting learning experiences that stimulate critical thinking and promote intellectual agility. Classes are informed by Qualia’s commitment to providing gifted and highly curious kids with the limitless intellectual opportunities they crave but are not afforded elsewhere.

Lyceum offers courses across a wide range of topics, including STEM, philosophy, engineering, the humanities, the arts, and gaming. The learning environment is small and personalized, built around Qualia’s Oxford-Style Seminar model with fewer than ten students per class. By immersing students in a close-knit community of like-minded peers, Lyceum fosters self-awareness, imagination, and adaptability while maximizing critical engagement and intellectual depth.

We know that self-motivated learners long to have control over the direction of their learning and to contribute to the design of the learning process. Based on Qualia’s principle of democratic design, Lyceum students collaborate with the teacher to shape the curriculum and assignments, co-creating exciting challenges tailored to each group’s abilities and needs.

Tuition Is Just $435 per 7-week class! 

Apply Now

Mondays 3:30-5:00

• Culinary Arts
• Experimental Robotics

Wednesdays 3:30-5:00

• Zoology
• Noise Explorers

Thursdays 3:30-5:00

• The Art of Making Books
• Interstellar Science

Fridays 3:30-5:00

• The Tinkerer's Lab
• Making People Laugh

Spring 2026 Class Descriptions

Culinary Arts
Led by LA Times–Celebrated Chef and Designer Sam Schiffer (Creator of the Mister Parmesan brand)

Sam Schiffer guides students in exploring food as both craft and career. Participants will learn cooking techniques, flavor design, menu creation, and the principles behind running a restaurant. The course emphasizes creativity, problem-solving, and thoughtful engagement with food as a system. Students will combine practical kitchen skills with experimentation and innovation in a collaborative setting. Please let us know of any food allergies or dietary restrictions. Mondays 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM April 20 to June 1 – no class May 25, Memorial Day

Experimental Robotics 
Led by FIRST Robotics Championship Coach Emir Altug

Emir Altug guides students in exploring how machines interact with the physical world. Participants will design, build, and program robots while learning about mechanical systems, electronics, and coding. The course emphasizes experimentation, testing, and iterative problem-solving. Students will develop both technical skills and creative thinking through hands-on experiments with making Battlebots, LEGO Robotics, and more. Mondays 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM April 20 to June 1 – no class May 25, Memorial Day

Zoology
Led by Southwestern Herpetology Society President and Qualia Zoology Instructor Grayson Kent

Grayson Kent guides students in studying exotic animals and their biology. Participants will observe, discuss, and interact with live reptiles, including snakes and lizards. The course emphasizes adaptation, ecological systems, and scientific observation. Students will develop a deeper understanding of the natural world through hands-on exploration. Wednesdays 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM April 22 to June 3

Noise Explorers
Led by Qualia’s Music Faculty

Students will explore the boundaries of sound, improvisation, and experimental music. Both advanced and beginner musicians will enjoy this sonic stew of possibilities. The course emphasizes creativity, attentive listening, and inventive musical thinking. Students will develop original compositions and possibly build and/or modify musical instruments. Wednesdays 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM April 22 to June 1

The Art of Making Books
Led by CalArts Alum and Youth Arts Specialist Veronika Gamaley

Veronika Gamalay invites students into the imaginative world of handmade books. Students will learn to craft paper, bind large-format artist books, and publish their own zines. Through experimentation with form, layout, and storytelling, participants will discover how ideas take shape on the printed page. The course blends artistic exploration with practical craftsmanship in a collaborative, curiosity-driven environment. Thursdays 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM April 23 to June 4

Interstellar Science
Led by Exohabitation Expert and PhD Candidate Adam Gelman

Adam Gelman invites students to investigate the science behind the film Interstellar. Participants will design experiments that test environmental conditions on extraterrestrial surfaces. The course emphasizes inquiry, experimentation, and collaborative problem-solving. Students will explore the frontiers of space science and astrobiology in a hands-on, curiosity-driven environment. Thursdays 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM April 23 to June 3

The Tinkerer’s Lab
Led by Emmy Award–Winning Artist and Qualia Art Instructor Andrea Shear

Andrea Shear invites students into an open studio to explore art materials, making, and creativity. Participants will experiment with a variety of artistic techniques while developing their own projects. The course emphasizes imagination, hands-on learning, and skill-building. Students will cultivate confidence and curiosity in a supportive, collaborative environment. Fridays 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM April 17 to June 5

Making People Laugh
Led by Guest Comedians, Writers, and Improv Actors Under the Direction of Qualia Instructor Daniel Rolnik

Students will explore the craft of comedy, from stand-up to written sketches. Participants will study timing, structure, and the philosophy of humor through fun workshops. Guest comedians will provide insight into the creative and professional worlds of comedy. The course encourages curiosity, collaboration, and the development of each student’s comedic voice. Fridays 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM April 24 to June 5