The last school bells are ringing, but the pursuit of knowledge doesn’t take the summer off. Businesses and organizations throughout the metro area are offering some very cool, very fascinating classes during the vacation months — and each one is a great opportunity to try a new skill and perhaps get hooked on an entire new hobby.

About once a month, the Sloss Furnaces Metal Arts program hosts a class that teaches the basics of creating cast-iron sculpture. I’ve done this twice now and loved it—you begin by creating wax sculptures and work through all the steps of transforming them into heavy metal art. The three-day class ends with a mesmerizing iron pour in one of the sheds where iron once flowed to build Birmingham. Visit their site for the class calendar, fees, and other information.

The Birmingham Fencing Club lets you try out the elegant-looking sport for free on the second Saturday of each month (at 10:30 a.m.). You’ll get an overview of fencing, then put on a suit, pick up a foil, and take a swing. See the club’s site for details and appropriate ages.

Follow in the footsteps of Birmingham’s newest reality TV star, ballroom dancer Fabian Sanchez, and attend an Open House Party on Thursday nights (8:15 p.m.) at Hoover’s Fred Astaire Dance Studio. After you see the pros strut their stuff, you can join a group class for newcomers. Call 205.979.777 for reservations and more information.

And I may just have to try one of the classes at Bear Creek Glass, located near Pepper Place. The studio offers several options, from two-hour courses where you make a paperweight or a flower to a two-session Introduction to Glass. Visit the site for dates and costs.