Quarter(s): 2

Day(s): Tue

Open Spots: 0

What does it really mean to think like a scientist? In this hands-on, curiosity-driven series, students explore the world through observation, experimentation, and discovery as they build real scientific understanding. Each quarter focuses on a different branch of science giving students the chance to investigate living systems, microscopic organisms, chemical reactions, and the natural world while developing critical thinking, lab skills, and scientific confidence. What invisible organisms are all around us, and how do they affect our health? This quarter introduces students to bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protists, along with how germs spread, how the immune system responds, and how diseases can be prevented. Example labs include agar plate experiments to test handwashing, yeast fermentation investigations, microscope observations, and case studies where students diagnose a "mystery illness." Topics in this series include: Biology & Genetics (Quarter 1), Microbiology (Quarter 2), Chemistry (Quarter 3), and Environmental Science (Quarter 4). There is a $25.00 lab fee due payable to the instructor on/before the start of clas

Quarter(s): 1,2

Day(s): Tue, Fri

Open Spots: 4

Preparation for Pre-Algebra is a year-long curriculum that will teach the fundamentals a student must master before embarking pre-algebra, algebra, and beyond. The class will review arithmetic skills, operations, and number theory. Key topics include fractions, rates, ratios, decimals, and percentages. Students will learn the computational operations of adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions and decimals. They will learn what decimals stand for, how they relate to fractions, and how to convert between the two. They will discover how rates and ratios are also fractions. Students will learn how to work with negative numbers including strategies for completing all four common operations with negative numbers. The class will also cover exponents and orders of magnitude to make sense of really small and really big numbers and common operations. This class will also emphasize real world applications of the mathematical concepts through word problems so students become comfortable switching between prose (written descriptions) and mathematical representation (numbers, symbols) of real world examples such as money, mileage, weights, percentages, and scientific measures. Note:  This class has two weekly sessions with Tuesdays in-person in a COVID cautious (masked) classroom from 3:15 pm - 4:10 pm and Fridays in a virtual Zoom classroom from 2:00 pm- 2:55 pm. Prerequisites: This course can be considered a pre-pre-algebra class that will teach the core concepts typically covered in later elementary school/early middle school after a general arithmetic curriculum and before pre-algebra. While different curriculums and student pacing will vary, this class would be appropriate for a student who has successfully covered long division, multiplication of multiple digit numbers, and an introduction to simple fractions and who has complete mastery of multiplication facts, skills often aligned with 5th grade mathematics. Workload: Students should expect to spend 3-4 hours per week outside of class to complete practice problems, homework, and assessments. Assignments: The Canvas online class management system will be used to post assignments and scores. Students should have their own e-mail address to be set up users of the Canvas system. Parents can also be set up as Canvas guests/observers for purposes of tracking the student's progress and workload. Assessments: In this class, the instructor will assess a student's progress by: checking that weekly homework sets are complete; spot-checking the full solution 1-2 select problems in class each week, and giving quarterly take-home tests. Points will also be awarded for class participation. Parents will be able to view accumulated points awarded in the class for purpose of determining a parent-awarded course grade. Textbook: Students should rent of purchase the class text: EP Math 5/6 Workbook (ISBN# 979-8643323693).

Quarter(s): 1,2

Day(s): Tue

Open Spots: 2

Konnichiwa (Hello)! Do you want to better understand your favorite anime, manga, or J-pop lyrics, chat with Japanese friends or neighbors, or simply explore the fascinating language and culture of the "Land of the Rising Sun." Whatever your reason, this introductory Japanese course is your chance to begin building real communication skills from the ground up. Students will focus on speaking and listening through practical, everyday conversation while also beginning to read and write the Japanese writing systems: hiragana, katakana, and beginner kanji. Students will learn vocabulary, grammar, and expressions for introducing themselves, talking about hobbies and interests, describing likes and dislikes, discussing foods and drinks, using numbers and colors, and understanding common everyday phrases. Along the way, they will also gain insight into the humor, emotion, and cultural nuances that make Japanese media so engaging. This class is a welcoming introduction for students who are curious about Japan, excited to study a new language, and ready to begin their Japanese-learning adventure. In class, students will practice conversation, play games, role-play, and watch video clips of Japanese conversation and culture explorations. Textbook/Materials: Students should rent or purchase the textbook; Genki: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese Volume 1 Textbook (ISBN: 978-4789017305)