STEM Programs in Reston, VA

Talk Trekkers” Intro to Public Speaking Series (NO Prerequisites) This fun, high-energy, and highly interactive public speaking series is perfect for young speakers of all experience levels! Whether your child is a beginner or already has some public speaking experience, this 5-session, 5-class-hour course provides individualized feedback and tailored challenges to help them grow while having a blast! Students will receive class materials, including a detailed class packet, to support their learning and practice. In each lively, engaging class, students will: LEARN - Learn and improve on the fundamentals of effective public speaking and explore different styles of speaking; - Learn to reduce and manage public speaking anxiety and nervousness; - Learn to implement DAILY positive public speaking and communication habits; - Learn to structure and improve their writing skills; - Understand the differences in various types of public speaking, such as persuasive, informative, storytelling, and conversational skills. DO - Practice their impromptu speech skills as well as prepared written assignments; - Present to the entire group and receive feedback from instructors and peers. IMPROVE - Each student will receive individualized feedback on their speaking to help them grow as confident and effective communicators. - If assignments are written, students will also receive individualized feedback on their writing to enhance clarity, structure, and impact. Every class is packed with high-energy activities, exciting public speaking games, and opportunities to practice new skills in a supportive, dynamic environment. For classes with more than 10 students, two engaging instructors ensure each child receives plenty of attention and feedback. Our instructors are professional teachers and public speaking experts with backgrounds stand-up comedy and performance, making sure every moment is as fun as it is educational!

Talk Trekkers” Intro to Public Speaking Series (NO Prerequisites) This fun, high-energy, and highly interactive public speaking series is perfect for young speakers of all experience levels! Whether your child is a beginner or already has some public speaking experience, this 5-session, 5-class-hour course provides individualized feedback and tailored challenges to help them grow while having a blast! Students will receive class materials, including a detailed class packet, to support their learning and practice. In each lively, engaging class, students will: LEARN - Learn and improve on the fundamentals of effective public speaking and explore different styles of speaking; - Learn to reduce and manage public speaking anxiety and nervousness; - Learn to implement DAILY positive public speaking and communication habits; - Learn to structure and improve their writing skills; - Understand the differences in various types of public speaking, such as persuasive, informative, storytelling, and conversational skills. DO - Practice their impromptu speech skills as well as prepared written assignments; - Present to the entire group and receive feedback from instructors and peers. IMPROVE - Each student will receive individualized feedback on their speaking to help them grow as confident and effective communicators. - If assignments are written, students will also receive individualized feedback on their writing to enhance clarity, structure, and impact. Every class is packed with high-energy activities, exciting public speaking games, and opportunities to practice new skills in a supportive, dynamic environment. For classes with more than 10 students, two engaging instructors ensure each child receives plenty of attention and feedback. Our instructors are professional teachers and public speaking experts with backgrounds stand-up comedy and performance, making sure every moment is as fun as it is educational!

FREE “FALL INTO SPEAKING” WORKSHOP & OPEN HOUSE! 🍂 For Kids AND Parents | Grades 2–8 Come experience what makes Highest Speak different! Our FREE Fall Into Speaking Workshop & Open House is a chance for kids AND parents to jump in, learn, laugh, and experience firsthand what we do at Highest Speak! Play hilarious public speaking games, take on fun and interactive speaking challenges, and learn simple, practical strategies for becoming a more confident and effective communicator. And this isn’t just for the kids! Both kids AND parents will participate and walk away with real skills, strategies, and tips they can start using right away. 🍁 Play hilarious public speaking games 🍁 Build confidence and quick-thinking skills 🍁 Learn practical speaking strategies together 🍁 Walk away with tools you can continue using at home 🍁 Meet our team and experience the Highest Speak approach 🍁 Learn more about our year-round classes, workshops, camps, and advanced programs for Grades 2–8 Whether your child already loves the spotlight or is still finding their voice, come FALL INTO SPEAKING with us and see just how much fun building communication skills can be! FREE • Grades 2–8 • Kids & Parents Participate Important Registration Information: Maximum of 4 attendees per family. Please indicate the total number of attendees prior to checkout. To keep the workshop age-appropriate and enjoyable for all participants, please do not bring children under age 6.

Level 2: Public Speaking for Grades 5–8 (***Prerequisite: Completion of any Summer Camp 2026 Week or any of our full 5 week course within the 2025-2026 school year. Please email info@highestspeak.com to ask if not sure of which level your child should be at. ) Now that your student has built a strong foundation, it’s time to level up! Our Level 2 course helps students refine and expand their public speaking skills with more structure, deeper content, and a greater focus on delivery, persuasion, and audience engagement. In this 5-session, high-energy course, students will: - Strengthen speech organization and clarity with more complex prompts - Learn how to deliver longer speeches confidently and how to use notecards to prepare effectively instead of memorizing - Master confident delivery techniques including tone, pacing, gestures, and eye contact - Craft stronger openings, memorable closings, and smooth transitions - Explore more advanced speech types—persuasive, informative, motivational, and storytelling - Participate in challenging impromptu speaking activities - Receive in-depth instructor feedback and practical tips for growth - Present in every class, both prepared and off-the-cuff. While still playful and supportive, this course encourages students to dig deeper, speak with intention, and sharpen their presence as young communicators. Whether they’re preparing for school presentations, leadership roles, or competitions, Level 2 equips them with the tools to speak up—and stand out. All of our instructors are experienced public speaking educators and performers, so your child will be learning from experts who make public speaking fun, meaningful, and memorable. 💬 Please Note: Classes with more than 8 students will have two instructors to ensure every student receives individual feedback. Light assignments may be given between classes; outside practice is strongly encouraged.

This is a Level 1 class — ideal for beginners in Grades 5–8! No prior experience necessary. Students MUST be in Grades 5-8 (No exceptions.) ( Not sure which class your student took or what level is right? Just reach out at info@highestspeak.com—we’re happy to help! If they have never taken a class with Highest Speak, our Level 1 is the perfect start! ) Talk Trekkers: Intro to Public Speaking (Grades 5–8) This 5-session, interactive class is designed to help middle schoolers become confident, engaging speakers in a supportive, encouraging, and FUN environment. Whether your student wants to speak up more in class, prep for debate, lead presentations, or simply build everyday confidence, this course is the perfect starting point. In this 5-session, small-group course, students will: - Learn the key elements of strong public speaking and explore different types of speeches - Develop strategies to manage stage fright and speak with clarity - Participate in creative public speaking games and on-the-spot speech challenges - Present to the group during every class - Improve their impromptu speaking and speech structuring abilities - Receive individualized feedback from instructors and peers - Practice both prepared speeches and spontaneous speaking Students will explore multiple speaking formats—persuasive, informative, entertaining, and storytelling—to discover their voice and style. Our instructors are not only experienced educators and public speaking coaches—they’re also performers and comedians, so classes are always lively and fun! 💬 Please Note: If there are more than 10 students enrolled, we always have two instructors to ensure personalized attention and feedback. Light assignments may be given. Practicing outside of class helps students apply their new skills and build lasting confidence.

High School Public Speaking Weekend Bootcamp Join us for a fun, high-energy bootcamp designed to help high school students become confident, clear, and engaging speakers! Whether you're prepping for class presentations, student leadership, or college interviews, this bootcamp will give you the tools to speak up and stand out. Over this 3-hour session, students will learn the fundamentals of public speaking, including how to structure their thoughts, write compelling content, and deliver with confidence. We’ll explore 3 key fundamentals of public speaking: content, structure, and performance, while keeping the atmosphere encouraging and collaborative. With a balance of writing and speaking exercises, students will improve their communication on the page, on the stage, and in daily conversations. The workshop includes plenty of individualized instructor coaching and peer feedback, so each student walks away with tangible growth and renewed confidence. This bootcamp is not only about skills—it’s about connection. Students will build friendships, practice social confidence, and have a blast while they learn critical skills for high school and beyond!

Impromptu Speaking & College Interview Boot Camp For High School Students Looking to nail that college interview, build unshakable confidence, and speak like a pro—all while having a blast? This high-energy boot camp is designed for high school students who want to think on their feet, speak with clarity, and shine in any situation—whether it’s an interview, a class discussion, or just day-to-day conversations. Through interactive games, group challenges, and fun, fast-paced activities, students will learn how to craft strong, spontaneous responses and speak with presence, purpose, and personality. Saturday: Speak Up, Think Fast We’ll kick things off with: Fun games and warm-ups to break the ice and get comfortable Strategies to overcome speech anxiety and find your voice Quick-thinking structures for answering any kind of question—academic, social, or professional Tips to make any impromptu speech engaging and impactful Lots of chances to practice in a supportive, lively environment College interviews, job interviews, and academic Q&A prep How to talk about your accomplishments and goals authentically and confidently Real-time practice with feedback to help you sharpen your answers Focus on content, structure, and delivery—with your unique personality front and center This boot camp is perfect for students who want to build real-world speaking skills while gaining an enjoyment of public speaking. Whether you're prepping for an interview or just want to walk into any room with more confidence, you’ll leave feeling empowered and ready for anything. Our college interview coaching students, just this past academic year, have gotten admissions and even full scholarships at schools like Vanderbilt, UNC, NYU, Perdue, UPenn, MIT and more! Confidence. Clarity. Charisma. And a whole lot of YOU. Let’s unlock it all—one impromptu moment at a time!

This is a Level 1 class — ideal for beginners in Grades 5–8! No prior experience necessary. Students MUST be in Grades 5-8 (No exceptions.) ( Not sure which class your student took or what level is right? Just reach out at info@highestspeak.com—we’re happy to help! If they have never taken a class with Highest Speak, our Level 1 is the perfect start! ) Talk Trekkers: Intro to Public Speaking (Grades 5–8) This 5-session, interactive class is designed to help middle schoolers become confident, engaging speakers in a supportive, encouraging, and FUN environment. Whether your student wants to speak up more in class, prep for debate, lead presentations, or simply build everyday confidence, this course is the perfect starting point. In this 5-session, small-group course, students will: - Learn the key elements of strong public speaking and explore different types of speeches - Develop strategies to manage stage fright and speak with clarity - Participate in creative public speaking games and on-the-spot speech challenges - Present to the group during every class - Improve their impromptu speaking and speech structuring abilities - Receive individualized feedback from instructors and peers - Practice both prepared speeches and spontaneous speaking Students will explore multiple speaking formats—persuasive, informative, entertaining, and storytelling—to discover their voice and style. Our instructors are not only experienced educators and public speaking coaches—they’re also performers and comedians, so classes are always lively and fun! 💬 Please Note: If there are more than 10 students enrolled, we always have two instructors to ensure personalized attention and feedback. Light assignments may be given. Practicing outside of class helps students apply their new skills and build lasting confidence.

It’s never too early to have our littles learn to speak up and start building confidence! Highest Squeakers | Grades K–1 It’s never too early to learn to speak up and build confidence! In this incredibly fun 45-minute per week series, our youngest speakers — our Highest Squeakers! — will get their first introduction to public speaking and communication in a way designed especially for little learners! Through movement, games, imagination, and lots of opportunities to speak, our Squeakers will: Play fun and silly speech games Learn a few simple, kid-friendly speaking tools Practice speaking loud and proud Work on eye contact, expression, and confident body language Get comfortable sharing ideas in front of a group Even give their own short and super-fun mini speeches! There’s no pressure and no complicated concepts — just lots of encouragement, participation, and fun. Give your little one the tools early to speak up, share their ideas, and start showing the world their most confident self!

Talk Trekkers” Intro to Public Speaking Series (NO Prerequisites) This fun, high-energy, and highly interactive public speaking series is perfect for young speakers of all experience levels! Whether your child is a beginner or already has some public speaking experience, this 5-session, 5-class-hour course provides individualized feedback and tailored challenges to help them grow while having a blast! Students will receive class materials, including a detailed class packet, to support their learning and practice. In each lively, engaging class, students will: LEARN - Learn and improve on the fundamentals of effective public speaking and explore different styles of speaking; - Learn to reduce and manage public speaking anxiety and nervousness; - Learn to implement DAILY positive public speaking and communication habits; - Learn to structure and improve their writing skills; - Understand the differences in various types of public speaking, such as persuasive, informative, storytelling, and conversational skills. DO - Practice their impromptu speech skills as well as prepared written assignments; - Present to the entire group and receive feedback from instructors and peers. IMPROVE - Each student will receive individualized feedback on their speaking to help them grow as confident and effective communicators. - If assignments are written, students will also receive individualized feedback on their writing to enhance clarity, structure, and impact. Every class is packed with high-energy activities, exciting public speaking games, and opportunities to practice new skills in a supportive, dynamic environment. For classes with more than 10 students, two engaging instructors ensure each child receives plenty of attention and feedback. Our instructors are professional teachers and public speaking experts with backgrounds stand-up comedy and performance, making sure every moment is as fun as it is educational!

Level 2: Public Speaking for Grades 5–8 (***Prerequisite: Completion of ANY Summer Camp 2026 Week or any of our full 5 week course within the 2025-2026 school year. Please email info@highestspeak.com to ask if not sure of which level your child should be at. ) Now that your student has built a strong foundation, it’s time to level up! Our Level 2 course helps students refine and expand their public speaking skills with more structure, deeper content, and a greater focus on delivery, persuasion, and audience engagement. In this 5-session, high-energy course, students will: - Strengthen speech organization and clarity with more complex prompts - Learn how to deliver longer speeches confidently and how to use notecards to prepare effectively instead of memorizing - Master confident delivery techniques including tone, pacing, gestures, and eye contact - Craft stronger openings, memorable closings, and smooth transitions - Explore more advanced speech types—persuasive, informative, motivational, and storytelling - Participate in challenging impromptu speaking activities - Receive in-depth instructor feedback and practical tips for growth - Present in every class, both prepared and off-the-cuff. While still playful and supportive, this course encourages students to dig deeper, speak with intention, and sharpen their presence as young communicators. Whether they’re preparing for school presentations, leadership roles, or competitions, Level 2 equips them with the tools to speak up—and stand out. All of our instructors are experienced public speaking educators and performers, so your child will be learning from experts who make public speaking fun, meaningful, and memorable. 💬 Please Note: Classes with more than 8 students will have two instructors to ensure every student receives individual feedback. Light assignments may be given between classes; outside practice is strongly encouraged.