In this class we will be exploring clean energy and creativity. We will be doing some experiments centered around renewable energy, and then we will focus specifically on solar energy. Our end goal will be to attend the Energy Whiz Olympics as a team/teams with our machines/inventions. The Olympics are held at the Florida Solar Energy Center on the second Saturday in May. Based on student interest we would choose from the following three events: Critter Comfort Cottage: This is a real-world, engineering and communications challenge, which showcases energy efficient building design and construction, based on small critters. (no actual critters needed 😉 )

Energy Transfer Machine: A competition that was developed to provide opportunities for students to explore hydrogen power through a hands-on engineering component. The students show understanding of hydrogen through a creative “timing” apparatus built with several ‘Rube Goldberg’ type steps.

Solar Energy Cook-Off: The Solar Energy Cook-off is a solar cooker competition. The teams demonstrate the performance of their solar heating devices, that they have designed and built by cooking an original dish of food created for the competition. Each solar cooker and recipe is judged by a panel of experts.

This is a gentle introduction to conversational Japanese and Japanese culture for the younger crowd! With more focus on building simple vocabulary and character recognition, this class is a great start for students who are interested in Japanese but aren’t ready for the more intense grammar of the upper level class. In addition to language practice, Lonna introduces her students to Japanese holidays, traditions, foods and pop culture in her classes.

Our Elementary core program consists of 2 hours of classroom instruction per week, with a complete syllabus of activities and suggested assignments provided for 3.5 – 4 additional days of study at home. Elementary aged students focus on skill building in the areas of math and literacy. For the 2017-18 year, we will continue exploration- and observation-based science, and enjoy books together with our Socratic discussion-based literature program. For math, students will continue their home programs and use time at IfSpace to enjoy Math Circle activities, as well as begin pre-algebra with Hands-On Equations in the second semester. We will take a deep dive into Ancient History, spending each semester creating a living history museum at IfSpace complete with costumes, sets, props, and role plays.

2017-18 curriculum includes the The Story of the World Volume I, Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding, Hands-On Equations, and grammar and language arts concepts as introduced in the Royal Fireworks Press/MCT materials. A complete list of curricula, history and science spines, and living books and supplies will be supplied to families upon registration.

We will choose a book as a class to read and discuss. Together we will explore different types of literature, and complete a student-based project centered on our book!

This will be a hands-on class where students learn about chemistry, study the properties of matter and how matter interacts with energy. There will be class activities, discussions, and lots of messy exciting fun as we study the general science of chemistry and how scientists use it in their professions.