My summer curriculum

Educational in all the least important ways

My Intex EasySet Pool, best $350 I’ve ever spent.

The people have spoken, or at least two of you have! Here is my personal Summer Curriculum.

An Interdisciplinary Program in Erie Canal Studies, Skateboard Sciences, Backyard Aquatics and Space Flight

Term: Summer 2026

Mission: To cultivate a well-rounded summer scholar through study of:

• The Erie Canal and its enduring vibes

• The noble pursuit of becoming a sk8r grrrrl

• Advanced research in Pool Party Management

• Foundational knowledge in Space Exploration

Last month we canoed in the Paddle the Lock: Mohawk River Adventure through Lock 7 on the Erie Canal!

Canal Studies. Erie Canal paddles, lock-watching and becoming charmingly knowledgeable about 19th-century infrastructure.

Sk8r Girl Practicum. Learn to skateboard. Objective: look cool. Secondary objective: remain upright, don’t break any bones.

Pool Party Sciences. Friends, after years of wondering about it, I finally bought one of those cheap-y pools and it’s amazing. Backyard pool research focused on floating, popsicle consumption, splash dynamics, and cloud observation.

Space Flight Seminar. Extend moon joy with an 8-book spaceflight curriculum and a new tendency to compare everyday challenges to launch procedures.

I bought a skateboard and am very slowly learning to scoot around. Yes I’m wearing my helmet and safety pads.

Graduation Requirements

• 3 canal adventures

• 20 skateboarding practice sessions

• 5 dedicated pool afternoons

• At least two of the space books

An eight-book starter set of space flight books curated by my dad, numbered in the order I should read them.

Artemis II rocket. “Copy moon joy.”

Please please tell me what would be on your personal summer curriculum?!?!