This course is based on the book Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding, Volume 2. It features a step-by-step approach to learning the building blocks of science. It alternates between four disciplines of science as it build knowledge:

• Nature of Matter
• Life Science
• Physical Science, Engineering and Technology
• Earth and Space Science

This is a secular class.

Prerequisites

Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding, Volume 1 or equivalent

Lessons Include

• Atomic / Molecular Motion I: Evidence From Brownian Motion and Diffusion
• Atomic / Molecular Motion II: Relationship to Temperature
• Atomic / Molecular Motion III: The Temperature-Pressure-Volume Relationship
• Concepts of Chemistry I: Elements and Compounds
• Will It Sink or Float? Concept of Density and Its Measurement
• How Metal Ships Float and Making a Hydrometer
• Heat, Volume, and Density
• Convection Currents: Observation and Interpretation
• Cells I: Microscopes, Observations of Tissues, and the Cell Theory
• Cells II: Cell Growth, Division, Differentiation, and Introduction to Reproduction
• Cells III: Integrating Cells and Whole-Body Functions
• Fungi and Bacteria I: What They are and Their Role as Decomposers in Nature
• Fungi and Bacteria II: Decomposers Versus Food Storage and Preservation
• Fungi and Bacteria III: Decomposers Versus Disease and Health
• Microscopic Organisms I: Their Multitude and Diversity
• Microscopic Organisms II: Single Celled Organisms; Kingdom Protista
• The Life of Plants I: Growing Plants for Fun, Food and Learning
• The Life of Plants II: How a Plant Grows Its Parts
• How Things Fly
• Center of Gravity, Balance, and Wobbling Wheels
• Energy in Motion: Momentum and Waves
• Mechanics I: Levers and Discovery of the Underlying Principle
• Mechanics II: Inclined Planes, Pulleys, Gears, and Hydraulic Lifts
• Electricity I: Electric Circuits, Switches, Conductors, and Non-Conductors
• Electricity IA: Static Electricity, Sparks, and Lightning
• Electricity II: Parallel and Series Circuits, Short Circuits, Fuses, and Ground Wires
• Light I: Basics of Light and Seeing
• Cause and Effects of Seasonal Changes
• The Water Cycle and Its Ramifications
• Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Movements of Tectonic Plates
• Uncovering the Earth’s Past
• Mapping the Earth: Latitude and Longitude
• Climate and Weather I: Wet Tropics and Dry Deserts

Schedule

This class will meet from 10:30am to noon on Mondays and Fridays.

This curriculum consists of 33 lessons, so we will do one lesson per week on average. Each day's lesson will consist of some guided discussion and hands-on activities to reinforce and illustrate the points discussed.

The ability to attend class regularly will be important for continuity of information. If your student is unable to attend a class, you will be expected to cover the material with your child. Please arrive promptly, prepared to hit the ground running.

Masks will be not be required, except in the most extreme of circumstances. They will be optional, however.

There will be planned time off during the course of the class. These times will often not be during regular public school vacations. We like to travel during unpopular times! We will NOT observe most of the little holidays that normally fall on Mondays and Fridays.

Cost

Tuition is paid monthly, due by the first class of the month.

Attendance

We will take attendance, but only for our own internal accountability. Spaces are limited, so only sign up if you intend to attend regularly, as you will be taking a slot that could have been occupied by somebody else.

Assignments and Grading

There will be no homework, however parents will be advised as to what topics were covered and how they can reinforce these topics while at home. Feedback will be provided based on participation in class.

Involvement by parents is key, but I will not expect you to do any of the teaching, other than reinforcing lessons learned when the opportunity arises. What I will expect from parents is this:

• Respond promptly to my emails, usually in the form of "Got it"
• Get your student(s) to class on time
• Don't get mad if we run overtime. Feel free to come in and pull your student(s) out if you need to go, though
• Be responsive if I ask something and abide by the written policies of the school, which will be provided to you prior to registering
• Parents are not required to stay for class, but are welcome to stay if they wish. We intend to provide a comfortable place for parents to wait, or they may actually attend the class.

Involvement by your student is even more important. What I will expect from students is this:

• Be attentive in class
• Ask questions

I highly encourage questions. We ask a lot of questions in my current classes. Many of the questions are seemingly unusual and lead us down unplanned paths, but they all educate.

New students will require an in-person interview before being accepted into the class. Students may be denied entry into the class at my sole discretion, for reasons which may include lack of age-appropriate maturity, lack of interest in science or inability to maintain a sense of decorum in class.

Class Materials

We will be using the book Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding, Volume 2. It is not necessary to purchase this book, though.

There are no additional materials required for class.