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Class Updates
We’ve expanded our program to include more hands-on learning — tuition has been adjusted to reflect the added value.
Important Deadlines
New Students: Apply early—space is limited and not guaranteed.
Returning Students: Register by May 30, 2025 to guarantee your spot.
Students are accepted until classes are full
Students accepted to the Saturday Gene-ius Program must fill out an online registration form and submit payment by mailing us a check.
Saturday Gene-iuses
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
3190 Maile Way, St. John 102
Honolulu, Hawaii 96822
University of Hawaiʻi, Mānoa teaching laboratories. We will inform you of your classroom location through email prior to the first session
Parking is available in the upper campus lots and in front of the St. John Building. There is no charge on Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays.
Parking fees are subject to change at any time. Visit https://manoa.hawaii.edu/commuter/visitors for the latest information
All students will be required to purchase their own lab coat and bring their lab coat to class to participate in the lab. Students and any chaperones will be required to wear covered shoes
We do not accept walk-ins or telephone reservations for the Saturday Gene-ius program. We cannot accept cash and will not honor reservations without payment. Also, payment for all Saturday Gene-ius sessions are non refundable. If you have further questions, please visit our FAQ or email us!
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Our planet is constantly cycling! Not bicycling… although humans greatly enjoy this activity! What we mean to say is, in this lab you will learn how different organisms cycle through their life stages. Even our planet has cycles and you will learn about some of these too. Don’t miss this class; the project you get to take-home is awesome!
You matter… more importantly, you are made of matter! In fact, everything is made of matter and that’s why we are all about matter in this lab! Join us to find out exactly what matter is and what it’s made of. There will be some really “cool” demonstrations and this may be the lab where Dr. Ania lets us blow something up!
Would you like to become a GEOLOGIST someday? Get a head start with us by observing actual rocks and minerals from around the world. In this lab, we get up-close and personal with different soil types by examining them under the microscope! You will also discover amazing things soil can do, learn how to make your own soil and (we hope you’re not squeamish!) build your own Worm Spa to take home!
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Oh boy, do we love seeds and we know you are going to fall in love with them too! When you join us for SENSATIONAL SEEDS, you will get to observe just how unique seeds can be and we will challenge you to match seeds used in agriculture with their appropriate fruit or vegetable. You will also conduct your own experiments with seeds, and we can’t wait to show you the hilarious seed growing experiment you get to take home!
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Are you ready to conduct experiments in the dark? Whoa, what’s that smell? Hmm, I wonder what makes that sound? Did you see that? In this lab, you will learn about humans and their senses… hey, that’s us! Have fun observing optical illusions and build your very own moving optical illusion to take home!
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Everything that is alive is made of cells and some people call them the “building blocks of life”. Cells are incredibly tiny, so can you guess what scientific instrument you need to see them? If you guessed a microscope you are ready to get crazy about cells with us! You will prepare your own microscope slides to examine different plant cells and even your own cells! Once you’ve become a cell expert we hope you can help baby Sal find his way home.
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Explore your own skeleton! In this lab you’ll learn about different parts of the human skeleton and compare our bones to those of other animals. In preparation for Halloween, this lab will require some spooky skeleton sidekicks!
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Can you tell we are excited about DNA? Everyone has DNA in his or her cells, and we can’t wait to show you just how amazing this molecule is! In this lab, you will learn exactly what DNA looks like by building your own DNA model and you will create your own Crazy Character to see the importance of the unique “DNA alphabet”. We end this lab with an awesome experiment that will allow us to actually see DNA!
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Why are people always telling you to eat your vegetables? We will play a game of four-food group bingo to find out why! Bring a steady hand and a keen eye to this lab, because you will be measuring, pipetting, and mixing as you conduct several experiments to find out just how nutritious your food actually is.
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
NASA is planning a trip to the moon to search for water and to see if they can create oxygen from the molecules that are found there. Join us in a race to beat them by building your very own SPACE COLONY! In this lab, students will learn how unique the planet Earth is compared to the other seven planets by recreating these features in their space colony. Come and learn about (and build!) the different sources for food, water, shelter, and energy with us!
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Do you brush your teeth everyday? We hope you do, because healthy teeth allow us to eat! In this lab you’ll learn about different teeth shapes, teeth of various animals, and how to keep those pearly whites clean and healthy!
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Do you eat plants? Of course, you do! Where do these plants come from? While some people have a home garden, most food comes from farms. In this lab you’ll learn about all the work and science that goes into farming and the benefits you reap from amazing agriculture!
* Please note that some lessons may be subject to change due to product availability *
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