2010-2011 Homeschool Classes
Monthly Science Classes for Homeschoolers
(Group B Pricing Structure~1 class each month for a total of 3 classes.)
Fall 2010-Electricity
September: Electricity is the flow of electrical power or charge. How does electricity flow through our houses? Through a circuit, of course, and there are plenty in your house. Discover how this simple system works.
October: Electric motors are everywhere; even your computer has electric motors to power its cooling fans and hard disks. By understanding how a motor works you will learn a lot about magnets, too.
November: We now demand so much electricity that engineers are asked to invent new ways to make it. The work of engineers has resulted in a choice of renewable alternative energy sources, such as hydroelectric power, solar energy, and wind energy. There’s a lot to discover about renewable alternative energy.
All Ages (Tuesdays) meets Sept 7, Oct 5, Nov 2 1:30pm-3:30pm
3rd-5th (Tuesdays) meets Sept 14, Oct 12, Nov 9 1:30pm-3:30pm
High School (Tuesdays) meets Sept 21, Oct 19, Nov 16 1:30pm-3:30pm
K-2nd (Wednesdays) meets Sept 8, Oct 6, Nov 3 10am-noon
Middle School (Wednesday) meets Sept 15, Oct 13, Nov 10 10am-noon
All Ages (Wednesday) meets Sept 22, Oct 20, Nov 17 10am-noon
Winter 2011- Understanding Genetics
January: Inside every cell of each living thing (plant or animal) are sets of instructions known as genes. Delve into the study of genetics to find out more about these tiny components that hold the instructions for life.
February: There’s more to genetics than just our DNA. Some organisms can produce “offspring” by making exact copies of the parent and some cannot. Learn more about what happens in animal and plant cells to pass on genetic traits.
March: Can we predict how a simple inherited trait will be passed from parents to their offspring? The Punnet square is a very useful tool for generating a prediction about what the results of a genetic outcome will be. Let’s explore probability…
All Ages (Tuesdays) meets Jan 4, Feb 1, Mar 8 1:30pm-3:30pm
3rd-5th (Tues) meets Jan 11, Feb 8, Mar 15 1:30pm-3:30pm
High School (Tues) meets Jan 18, Feb 15, Mar 22 1:30pm-3:30pm
K-2nd (Wednesdays) meets Jan 5, Feb 2, Mar 9 10am-noon
Middle School (Weds) meets Jan 12, Feb 9, Mar 16 10am-noon
All Ages (Weds) meets Jan 19, Feb 16, Mar 23 10am-noon
Spring 2011-Water
April: Let’s explore some unique water niches such as swamps and wetlands, while looking for their importance in our natural world. We will learn about the different types of wetlands and the things that threaten their health. Let's study specific examples of wetland areas in the United States, especially our own Okefenokee Swamp.
May: Imagine living in a unique environment of nearly constant temperatures, high humidity, a limited food supply, perpetual darkness, and intense silence broken only by dripping water or the flutter of bat wings. Let's learn about unusual organisms that inhabit a cave. We'll also, discover how the food web in a cave functions since green plants cannot grow in darkness.
June: Let's think about something cold when it's getting hot. What is it like to live in cold, harsh environments like Antarctica? Discover what Cryobiology encompasses. Find out how glacier activity changes the land. Is the Southern Ocean being affected by the melting of ice? Who knew icy places could be so interesting?
All Ages (Tues) meets Apr 12, May 10, Jun 3* 1:30pm-3:30pm
3rd-5th (Tues) meets Apr 19, May 17, Jun 1* 1:30pm-3:30pm
High School (Tues) meets Apr 26, May 24, Jun 2* 1:30pm-3:30pm
K-2nd (Wednesdays) meets Apr 13, May 11, Jun 1* 10am-noon
Middle School (Weds) meets Apr 20, May 18, Jun 3* 10am-noon
All Ages (Weds) meets Apr 27, May 25, Jun 2* 10am-noon
* June classes do not meet on typical Tues/Wed dates. Check calendars
Group B (3 Session Series)
Base Price..................................................$24.00
Gwinnett County Res Price.......................$19.00
Sibling Price..............................................$17.00
Member Price............................................$17.00
2010-2011 Monthly Mini Courses for Homeschoolers
(Group A Pricing Structure, unless otherwise noted.)
Students learn that science is a way of thinking about and investigating the world around us as well as a growing body of knowledge. Hands-on, student-centered, and inquiry-based approaches are the emphasis of instruction in all mini-courses we teach at the GEHC. Courses occur as 3-week sessions or 6-week sessions.
Fall 2010
Let’s Take A Closer Look...THIS CLASS IS FULL.
Microscopes give people an opportunity to investigate the parts of life that are too small to see. We will examine differences between animal and plant cells, study the varieties of zooplankton in water samples, examine everyday items up close, do hair and fiber analysis, and much more. Students will learn proper techniques for using microscopes as well as how to build a permanent slide set. Come explore the microscopic world that we take for granted everyday. For 4th graders and up.
Classes meet Fridays…10am-12noon
Sept 17, 24, Oct 1, Oct 8, Oct 15 and Oct 22
Material fee of $10 per a student
Science and Math Process Skills
Conducting a science experiment can be a lot of fun, but there is more than watching for a result. There is a process that one should follow to execute an investigation correctly. Using math skills is also an important task to evaluating results. Practice the techniques used by present day scientists and technicians when carrying out hands-on investigations in the laboratory. In addition, learn how to maintain and record data in a lab notebook. This is perfect for upper elementary students and older.
Classes meet Wednesdays…. 1:30pm-3:30pm
Sept 15, 22, 29, Oct 6, 13, 20
Additional lab fee of $10
Georgia’s Past and Present
What historical events in Georgia helped shape the United States as it is today? Do you know a “Line of a Thousand Waterfalls” can be found in our beloved state? Explore Georgia’s rich heritage beginning with the first of 3 courses-Early Georgians. In the winter, we will focus on Georgia’s Colonization and in the spring, Modern Times (1800’s to present). Activities during class will include storytelling, games, crafts, individual and cooperative work, outdoor time, and cooking (all of which vary depending on the daily topic). This class is one you do not want to miss! This class is designed for the 4th-6th graders.
Class meets… Tuesdays 10am-12noon
Sept 21, Sept 28, Oct 5, Oct 12, Oct 19, and Oct 26
Material fee of $10 per a student
Herbs In Our Heritage
You may have thought that herbs were just for cooking. Not so–an herb is any plant that serves a purpose. Besides cooking, herbs give us dyes for cloth, essential oils for fragrances, medicines, and even insecticides. Join us as we discover the historical significance of herbs and experiment with what can be made using the plants. This course is a heritage-based program with lots of hands-on activities. Designed for 3rd grade and up.
Class meets…Wednesdays 1:00pm-3:00pm
Sept 22, 29, Oct 6, Oct 13, Oct 20, and Oct 27
Junior Master Gardener Level 1
Come along on a gardening adventure as we begin "digging" into the Junior Master Gardener Program curriculum, which promotes a love of gardening, develops an appreciation for the environment, and cultivates our young minds. In addition, JMG encourages students to exercise their gardening skills through community service projects and rewards them with nationally recognized certification. This course meets for 8 weeks, meeting once a week for 2 hours each session. Ages 3rd grade and up.
Tuesdays 10am-12noon
Oct 5, 12, 19, 26, Nov 2, Nov 9, Nov 16, Nov 30 (skipping Nov 23)
Additional book fee: $15 (can be shared by multiple children in the same family)
Want to Navigate Like Lewis and Clark?
Learn to explore the woods and other outside areas using a compass and topographic maps. What a great way to connect your geography knowledge to your local surroundings! This is a fun, energetic class that teaches basic orienteering skills inside and out in the field. Even if you know how to read a compass, this class will introduce you to activities that utilize directional skills. Designed for elementary-aged students and older.
Fridays 1:30pm-3:30pm
Sept 17, 24, Oct 1, Oct 8, Oct 15, and Oct 22
Little Sprouts
Who said gardening was for grown-ups only? Calling all Pre-K students who love to play in the dirt and work with plants! Join us as we explore the world of plants through stories, crafts, games, and of course hands-on activities in the planting beds. This class is designed for the younger student approximately 4-7 years of age.
Fridays 10am-11:30am
Sept 17, 24, Oct 1, Oct 8, Oct 15, and Oct 22
Botany 101
How does photosynthesis work? How do you classify leaves? What’s the anatomy of trees and how does that differ from plants producing flowers? Have you seen what pollen looks like up-close? These and many more questions will be answered in our NEW science class focusing on plants. Students will conduct experiments focusing on concepts revolving around botany. This class is a great complement to those focusing on plants this year in their curriculums. Designed for 2nd through 4th grade students.
Wednesdays 10am-12noon
Sept 8, Sept 15, (skipping Sept 22), Sept 29, Oct 6, Oct, 13, (skipping Oct 20), Oct 27
Square Foot Gardening at its Best*
*Pricing is Group B
How would you like a garden filled with beautiful flowers, fresh herbs, and luscious vegetables, all with NO WEEDS and NO HARD WORK? No more heavy digging or all-at-once harvesting for us! Less watering, weeding, and thinning sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? We will show you how to grow and tend to that garden you have always wanted using Mel Bartholomew’ s methods for square foot gardening. Fall is a great time to start your planning. Come get your ideas flowing and your hands dirty!
Class meets…Tuesdays 10am-12noon
Sept 7, 14, and 21
Chemistry Lab
This 6-week course is designed for 9th grade and higher students currently studying Chemistry at home, who needs hands-on time in a laboratory executing chemistry experiments under the guidance of our resident chemist. Students will learn about the responsibilities of working with equipment designed for chemistry studies in a laboratory setting. The lab time is structured to include explanations on how to perform the experiment(s) and the chemistry behind it, experiment time, and then clean-up and review time. Students will be required to do some short chemistry assignments at home, as well.
Class meets…Fridays 1:00pm-3:30/4:00pm (depending on the experiments scheduled that day)
Sept 17, 24, Oct 1, Oct 8, Oct 15, and Oct 22
Additional lab fee of $20.
Group A (All 6-8 Session Series*)
Base Price..................................................$70.00
Gwinnett County Res Price.......................$65.00
Sibling Price..............................................$49.00
Member Price............................................$49.00
Group B (3 Session Series)
Base Price..................................................$24.00
Gwinnett County Res Price.......................$19.00
Sibling Price..............................................$17.00
Member Price............................................$17.00
