In Tinkering, students explore materials, supplies, tools and concepts in an open-ended, adult-guided way. Past Tinkering sessions have involved making custom Minecraft controllers with Makey Makey, exploring linkage mechanisms with cardboard and brads, testing out paper circuits to make light-up cards and pictures, taking apart consumer electronics and toys to see what’s inside, and a multi-week construction of an elaborate Rube Goldberg device. Tinkering is where we try out new ideas as a group, and encourage one another as we try to get our thing to work.

This special tinkering course is tailored for a younger audience including children who are still developing their fine-motor skills.

Dissections is one of our most popular courses! In this 8-week class, we will learn dissection and science lab safety practices, practice microscope skills, and dissect three specimens – an earthworm, grasshopper, and starfish – and learn about their habitats, adaptations, and anatomy.

This Spring we will be studying the anatomy and physiology of aquatic and marine animals, including the lamprey, starfish, dogfish, and stingray. We will also cover science lab protocol and safety, as well as a review of microscope skills. There is a $70 supply fee for this class, which includes a personal dissection kit and safety glasses as well as high quality, double-injected specimens (where applicable). Students will dissect their own lamprey and starfish and will share the dogfish and stingray with a lab partner, as these are easier to dissect with a helping hand.

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.

This is a hands-on class where students learn about chemistry, and perform experiements and demonstrations based on what they learn! We will talk about chemical reactions, the properties of matter, and where we see chemistry in our day-to-day life.