Home School Spring 2016 Class Descriptions February 12 th Da Vinci s Inventions I o Parachutes: This class will explore using our inventor s mind to create the best possible parachute using basic materials. We will sketch, construct, and test just like a renaissance master. o Locomotion and Transportation: Before motorized vehicles, Da Vinci designed a self-propelled cart! This introduced the world to transportation! Students will learn about this invention and even put together their very own solar car! o Build Something that Paints Something: Da Vinci was not only a brilliant artist but he was also an inventor! In this lesson we will be combining Technology and Art! Students will build a closed circuit that not only conducts energy and creates motion, but to paint with their creations as well! o 3-D Motion and Flying: Da Vinci had a desire to master the concept of 3-D motion using his Flying Machine. In this lesson we will study the basics of Trigonometry by first understanding the laws of horizontal and vertical motion. We will use these laws to help predict the characteristics of freefall and how that relates to Da Vinci s flying machine. February 26 th Da Vinci s Inventions II o Water Filters: This class will explore using our inventor s mind to create the best possible water filtration system using basic materials. A great renaissance mind tries to solve the pressing matters of the day- like water quality
o Bridges: The Revolving Bridge was created for armies to pass over water ways, however bridges have evolved over time into many different types! Students will explore one of Da Vinci s inventions and learn about different types of bridges by building them! o Coding with Da Vinci: One of the Fathers of Engineering, Da Vinci took very detailed notes of all his inventions and creations! He utilized a secret way of writing in code so that others would not be able to steal his work. In this lesson we will review copies of Da Vinci s work and even create our very own! o Parachutes: In this class we will be taking from our last lesson of 3-D motion, and also pulling in the concept of wind resistance. Join us as we study how parachutes keep us landing safely, and why Da Vinci was so intrigued by them. March 11 th Da Vinci s Inventions III o Paint: This class will explore using our inventor s mind to create the best possible paint using basic materials. Just like Da Vinci will make our own paint using chemistry and create a masterpiece. o Anatomy and Art: Not only was Da Vinci an Inventor but he was also an artist! He created some of the first images of the Human body! Students will learn about the organs of the body and create artistic paintings of them just like Da Vinci! o Da Vinci Simple Machines It: Da Vinci designed prototypes that would not only change the world, but change how we do things! One of his key goals was to make difficult jobs simple. In this lesson students will take an in-depth look at
this useful structures and utilize them to make their own devices! o Bridges: Revolving Bridges are a Da Vinci invention that can often be overlooked. In this class we will be taking a closer look at the Revolving Bridge and how it operates the way that it does. March 18 th Mysteries of the Unseen World: Microscopic Exploration I o Micro Flora: Learn what plants look like through a microscope. Do they all appear the same or are there significant differences? Botany helps us understand the world around us. o How to Microscope: Experience a world that can t be seen with the naked eye! Students will explore Microscopes and learn how to use them! They will also collect samples and uncover how alive the unseen word really is! o Magnetism Nano Size: In 1963 NASA s Steve Papell invented Ferro fluid. This interesting substance was utilized as a liquid rocket fuel that could be drawn toward a pump in a weightless environment by magnetism. In the lesson we will not only cover magnetism, but taking it to a Nano sized level! o Bacteria Grossology: There is bacteria everywhere, but how fast does it grow? What are the environmental requirements for different types of bacteria to grow? In this lab we will be cultivating bacteria and studying the perfect condition for the grossest bacteria. April 8 th Mysteries of the Unseen World: Microscopic Exploration II
o Micro Fauna: Learn what tiny animals look like through a microscope. Can we notice more details than we can with just our eyes? Zoology helps us understand our animal neighbors. o Nano Science: Explore the dimensions of less than 100 nanometers! Students will learn about the Nano Scale and see Nano Technology in action. They will create Oobleck and visit our Crusted Gecko to further uncover the possibilities of the unseen world! o Microscopic Photography: Scientists have been studying organisms on a microscopic level for years. Now they are even able to not only see them, but photograph them as well. The lesson will begin with a microscope session and conclude with taking photos on a magnetized level with our ProScope! o Antibacterial Substances: There are many different types of antibacterial products you can buy to kill bacteria. Which of them works the best? Why do they work the best? We will be seeing which disinfectants work the best! April 29 th Sherlock Holmes and the Clocktower Mystery: Forensic Science I o Fingerprinting and Mystery: In this class we will learn about fingerprints and what makes each one unique. Just like forensic scientists we can use fingerprints to help us solve a mystery. o Mysterious Fingerprinting: Fingerprints are everywhere and forensic scientist use them to help solve mysteries! Students will learn about the different types of fingerprints and why finger prints are unique. They will also explore finding finger prints with Glow Solution.
o Building a Case: No matter what field a scientist is in, they all need the same thing! Evidence! In this lesson we will take a detailed look into the realm of forensic anthropology. Students will exams a series of bones and be able to determine who and what it came from! o Fingerprints: Let s study fingerprints! We will be looking at different fingerprints and how to recognize them. We will use different forensic tools to identify them! May 13 th Sherlock Holmes and the Clocktower Mystery: Forensic Science II o Natural and Synthetic Fibers: What are the differences between natural and synthetic fibers? Do they look and feel different? Can we tell the difference between the two by experimenting and testing? o Bones and Foot Casting: Forensic Anthropology can be used to help solve mysteries. Students will explore bones from different animals to discover who they belong to. They will also learn about foot casting and make their very own! o The Delicious Side of Chromatography: Chromatography is a technique used by scientists for separating organic and inorganic compounds. In this lesson, students will be able to exam a series of substances and items, pulling out each of the colors! Then get to consume part of their subject matter! o Ballistics: How fast is a speeding bullet exactly? Do all bullets travel the same speed and distance? Does a bullet s shape affect the ability for it to pierce objects more efficiently? In this lesson, we will be studying the science behind the speeding bullet as we take a shot at ballistics!