About the Course

Cloudy with a Chance of Discovery

Books often ask you to dream up imaginary worlds, but in the case of Judi and Ronald Barrett’s classic children’s book Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, there are important science concepts behind the words and pictures. In this course, we will use a literary lens to practice basic methods of inquiry that are used by all scientists to try to understand and explain the world. We will analyze the science woven through Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs to understand the scientific method. We will conduct hands-on activities directly related to scientific concepts presented in the book, such as nutrition, structures, and weather patterns. At the end of the course, students will have a solid foundation in science as well as the ability to recognize scientific concepts in other literary works.

Time commitment:2.5-3.5 hours per week (1.5 hours of class time, 1-2 hours of independent work). Course will include 6 sessions over 6 weeks.

Course Overview


About Advanced Enrichment Courses

These courses offer above-grade-level material that is presented in a novel context, explored with other advanced learners, and guided by a CTY educator to help prepare students for higher-order thinking and college-style academic challenges.


The content in Cloudy with a Chance of Discovery overlaps with the CTY course Science with a Chance of Meatballs. Students who have already taken Science with a Chance of Meatballs may wish to consult with an enrollment advisor before selecting this course.

This course is

ungraded.

Classes

Register for an Online course by selecting an open class below. If no open classes are listed, then course enrollment is currently closed. Note: You will need to have an active CTY Account to complete registration through MyCTY.

Sundays
-
5 weeks
6:00 p.m. (ET)
$1,365

Testing and Prerequisites

  Math Verbal
Required Level CTY-Level or CTY-Level
Check your eligibility using existing test scores If you do not have existing test scores:

Students must achieve qualifying scores on an advanced assessment to be eligible for CTY programs. If you don’t have qualifying scores, you have several different testing options. We’ll help you find the right option for your situation.

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Cost and Financial Aid

  • Tuition
    • Varies
  • Application fee
    • Nonrefundable Application Fee - $15 (Waived for financial aid applicants)
    • Nonrefundable International Fee - $20 (outside US only)

CTY Financial Aid Availability for Online Programs

Academic Year 2025-26 (Course start dates July 1, 2025- June 30, 2026): Financial Aid funding is currently available for all eligible students while funding lasts. If interested in applying for financial aid, please select a course with start date of July 1, 2025, or later.

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Course Materials

Please acquire all course materials by the course start date, unless noted as perishable. Items marked as “perishable” should not be acquired until the student needs them in the course. If you have questions about these materials or difficulty locating them, please contact [email protected].
 

Families will be notified by email of any required materials one week prior to the course start date. 

Technical Requirements

This course requires a computer with high-speed Internet access and an up-to-date web browser such as Chrome or Firefox. You must be able to communicate with the instructor via email. Visit the Technical Requirements and Support page for more details.

About Science and Engineering at CTY

Our Science and Engineering courses bring a variety of science topics to life. By introducing topics not covered in standard science curricula, we build and reinforce your science knowledge. All courses support critical thinking, problem solving, and reasoning, and encourage a hands-on approach to learning about Earth, space, life sciences, chemistry, and the physical world. Guided by expert CTY science educators, you’ll perform hands-on experiments using common household objects, and participate in dynamic group discussions.

Engage with Science Enrichment Courses

In Introduction to Crime Scene Investigation, you’ll review the fascinating history of forensics, crime-scene evaluation, and the crime lab. You’ll learn the skills, equipment, and technology used to analyze physical evidence while reinforcing your understanding of the scientific process.