Roo Honors Academy
Roo Honors Academy (RHA) 2024
RHA is June 10-14, 2024 and is open to 30 high school students in grades 9-12. RHA gives gifted students the opportunity to attend engaging classes taught by UMKC faculty.
Overview
Students who complete both courses will recieve a Recognition of Achievement from the Honors Program. Students will explore the UMKC experience by participating in several activities in addition to attending classes.
- Field trips
- Leadership workshop
- Admissions staff discussions
- UMKC Trustees Scholarship info sessions
Schedule
- Monday, June 10 — Friday, June 14
- 9 a.m. — 4:30 p.m.
- Honors lounge will be open at 8 a.m. during the week for students who are dropped off before 9 a.m.
- Students will participate in a final showcase on Friday, June 14 at 5 p.m.
Cost
Tuition is $275, which includes daily lunch and an RHA t-shirt. Students need to provide their own transportation to and from campus. Students also have the option of spending the night in UMKC dorms for the week for an additional $295.
- Children of UMKC employees are eligible for a $20 discount.
- Need-based scholarships may be available.
Roo Honors Academy is sponsored by UMKC Honors and UMKC Trustees.
Apply for Roo Honors Academy
2024 RHA applications are due May 15th, 2024.
2024 Course Offerings
Roo Honors Academy 2024 will offer non-credit classes on: digital sports media, life as a reptile, collaboration and communication and the culture of Disney.
Digital Sports Media
“Writing” is so much more than text on a page, and “sports” are so much more than games. Together, we will explore the landscape of digital sports media to expand our notion of what makes good “sports writing.” We will discuss how sports shapes and is shaped by local, national, and international issues and cultures. From the economic impact of building new baseball stadiums to the political and social impacts of hosting the Olympic Games, sports offer a compelling way to think about and write about the world. In this class, we will combine a sophisticated examination of sports culture with digital forms of media production to grow as intellectuals and writers.
Taught by Professor Marcus Meade
Life as a Reptile
How do reptiles interact with other species, the environment, and people?” We would get out about campus a couple of times to analyze habitats that might be helpful or harmful for reptiles, and through short lectures and group activities we would explore natural sciences, conservation, and links to cultural values.
Taught by Dr. Jess Magaña
The Collaboration Mindset
Being a strong collaborator can fuel your ideas and make you a high impact team member. In this class, we will unpack the power of being in a collaboration mindset and cover some simple tips to create powerful collaborations. Our sessions will focus on understanding the science of team dynamics, your communication preferences in a team, and ways to empower others and delegate like a pro. The class will visit some high functioning teams in professional environments around UMKC and learn from their real-life collaborations. We will mix theory with practice in this hands-on class that is sure to boost your collaboration quotient.
Taught by Professor Erin Blocher
Culture in the Magic Kingdom
In this course we will study culture by examining the Disney films Encanto, Moana, and Frozen 2. These three films introduce us to different cultures and cultural traditions. We will discover the cultures highlighted in Encanto and learn to make some traditional Colombian foods. We will explore Polynesian culture through the lens of Moana. And, we will learn about the Sámi, the indigenous group who collaborated with Disney in the making of Frozen 2.
Taught by Dr. Susie Donaldson
Have Questions?
We have answers. Please contact us for more information.
Margo Gamache Email: gamachem@umkc.edu