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When given a choice for summer school classes at Heritage Elementary School, Morgan Rouff, 8, did not hesitate to choose "Ooey Gooey Science."

"I thought it would be fun because I like to do stuff that would involve experiments," she said. "I like to get dirty."

From mixing up concoctions to competing for the strongest bridge design, she said the class has exceeded her expectations.

Courtney Ephgrave, 8, said making ooey gooey slime has been her favorite part of the two-week class, "because you get to make it, and it's not the teacher making most of it, and it's fun to play with."

In another classroom, Rachel Vanas, 7, and her new friend Isabella Warne, 5, mixed together the class project of the day, milk that moves, an experiment with milk, food coloring and soap.

Isabella said she took the class because it sounded fun.

"We make all these experiences and I made some friends," she said.

After reading the Dr. Seuss book "Bartholomew and the Oobleck," Rachel said she learned she could make her own version of the fictional creation from corn starch and green water.

"All you do is stir it, and when it gets real hard, you just play with it with your hands," she said. "You can even cut it."

Hands-on experiments and learning is what summer school is all about for elementary students in the district, said Summer School Principal Robert McGlothin. The goal is to continue learning, help some students catch up and to challenge students with new opportunities like cooking, guitar, piano or foreign language lessons.

"We need to give kids as many enrichment opportunities as possible," he said.

For about $100 or less, students can take one- to two-week courses in a variety of subjects, including a pottery class where students learn about artists and history as they create clay bowls, jewelry and sculptures.

Cassidy Wilkinson, assistant principal of summer school, said she has gleaned many ideas to take back to her second-grade classroom in the fall.

"It's very exciting, yet it's educational," she said. "It just gives kids a chance to do things that they enjoy and continue learning throughout the summer."

To sign up for July courses, call Heritage Elementary School at (513) 863-7060.

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5067 or lhilty@coxohio.com.