Would you like to learn about chess from a rated national expert? What about learning computer programming from a professional website developer?

These are just a couple of the enrichment opportunities available at the upcoming Gifted Resource Council's Learning Labs. There's still time to register for any of 36 programs that start late this month. They are held on six consecutive Saturdays.

Classes start Oct. 12 and include Oct. 19 and 26 and Nov. 2, 9 and 16. They are held at Wydown Middle School near Washington University.

The GRC has been holding enrichment classes for kids in the fall and winter since 1983. They are open to kids kindergarten through 8th grade in the St. Louis metro area. Subjects range from Shakespeare's plays to environmental studies, from math to music.

There's even a class especially for girls to learn how to become an engineer.

Susan Flesch is the GRC's executive director. She said you can get registration information by calling (314) 962-5920 or by going to the group's website at www.cybam.com/grc.

The series of six classes cost $90. However, Flesch said there are some scholarships available. Call the GRC office to ask for details.

Flesch said the Learning Labs feature very small classes. There are only six to 12 kids per class. "That's because the classes are very hands-on and there's a lot of learning by doing," she said.

About 60 per cent of the classes offered this fall are being given for the first time. But, there are also a number of repeat classes which have been popular for several years.

In the new class category are "Manufacture Mobiles," "Mad Scientist Extraordinaire" and "Legends, Castles and Mythology."

In these classes, there is some book learning. But, it's mostly putting facts to use in real life situations.

In the "Manufacturing Mobiles" classes, teacher Michael Price explains how you balance concepts of art and engineering to make the sculptures that move. Mobiles were invented and made famous by sculpture artist Alexander Calder.

Calder used principles of math and engineering to make sure his sculptures could move but not fall apart. You'll get a chance to use that information to make your own mobiles.

In "Legends, Castles and Mythology," you'll learn about King Arthur and his court and the myth of the Holy Grail. But, you'll also design your own castle and put together a food feast, using foods available in the Middle Ages.

"Shakespeare's People" explores the plays of Shakespeare. But, it also looks at the Bard's Globe Theater as well as costumes and customs of that time in England. The teacher is Janis Valdes, who's a Shakespearean actress.

Other first-time classes include:

• "Shape Shifting," where geometry meets art, literature and your senses.
• "Mind over Math," learning to think logically but having fun with math.
• "Measuring the Real World," use of math to count fluorescent cells or predict motion.

One of the old standby classes being repeated this year is "Checkmate, for Novices." That a series of chess classes taught by Stephen Randoll. He's the president of the St. Louis Chess Foundation.

"Back to the Future with Robots" is another repeat class series. One of the "hands-on" part of this class is making your own robot and seeing what work it can do.

Other old-timer classes include:

• "Intro to Programming," using computers to create sounds/music and figure problems.
• "Germany: Language and Culture," this includes German games, songs and food.

The "Moving and Shaking" class is an introduction to engineering. This is for older kids (grades 6-8) and girls are offered preference in the class. It's being taught by two professors from Washington University, Ruth Okamoto and Shelly Sakyama-Elbert.

Washington U has a special grant to provide programs that encourage women to go into the engineering field. The GRC class is one of those special programs.

For a complete listing of the GRC Learning Lab classes for the fall, be sure to check the group's website at www.cybam.com/grc.