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| Science ALIVE • Future Einsteins • Volcanoes • The Sun, Stars and Planets |
| Mysteries of Physics • Bridge Building • Robots |
| Plant Biology and Beans • Colors & Optics |
Science ALIVE: Science through exploration, observation, and inquiry
This method is a deliberate departure from textbook-centered and passive observation of scientific phenomena. Instead, the program emphasizes hands-on learning and thus engages the child in a total inquiry-based experience. As a result, students learn to become critical thinkers. Your child won't be bored for a minute, and the range of science that he or she will bring home will delight you. We see your children as scientists, ready to apply what they have learned or experienced to the unit at hand. Children become scientific partners with their teachers and gain knowledge and understanding through a process of questioning, hypothesis-testing, and drawing conclusions.
See our Science ALIVE brochure (PDF)
Future Einsteins: Creative and Inventive Thinkers
Future Einsteins is perfect for any student with a curious intellect and an active imagination. Our focus is on classic inventors and the impact of their discoveries, the art of invention and the scientific methodology of resourceful thinking. We explore biology, earth science, chemistry and physics at appropriate age-levels.
Students learn about the structure and distribution of volcanoes around the world, and how volcanoes shaped life on earth. Using models and pictures, they come to understand the geophysics behind this spectacular force of nature. The second session of the class is built around a group project of constructing a miniature volcano out of Oreos, coca-cola and mints which the class will then blow up (perfectly safe!) and then take home to eat. Ages 7-10, two sessions.
This class introduces some key concepts of classical astronomy as well as new insights and theories regarding the sun, the formation of stars and their cultural significance, planets and the structure of the solar system. This is an interactive course which includes demonstrations, pictures and fun activities. Projects include constructing an outdoor sundial, glow-in-the-dark star constellations and a collaborative paper mache model of the solar system. We promise this class will be out of this world! Ages 7-10, four sessions.
The Mysteries of Physics explores the strange and often amazing applications and theories of modern physics. Beginning with an alternative approach to classical mechanics, students learn different ways of understanding everyday phenomena. We will also attempt to state and clarify the newest secrets of the universe like puzzling results of Special Relativity, Quantum Mechanics, and Subatomic Particle Theory. The emphasis of the course is on the conceptual understanding of physics, as well as on problem solving. A working knowledge of calculus and basic physics is highly recommended, as this is an advanced-level class.
All engineers have to start somewhere, and this is the ideal way to begin. Students are instructed in the basics of bridge construction and force-transfer dynamics. Groups of students construct a bridge out of popsicle sticks and glue, according to scientific principles. They then hold a friendly competition to see which group’s bridge can hold the most weight. Ages 9-12, two sessions.
After learning the basics of robot construction, students are given the opportunity to participate in a competitive robot-building activity within the context of real-world robotics. The class touches on subjects such as artificial intelligence, robots in art and literature, types of robots, different theories of robotics and perception and action systems. They then divide into groups and construct a robot sensitive to touch and sound, experimenting with different wiring architectures to manifest different behaviors. Each group then places their robot in an obstacle course and using sound, steers it towards a finish line, and may the fastest team win! Ages 12-15, four sessions, extra charge for robotics kits.
What makes a plant healthy? What happens when you take one of these basic needs away? This class serves as an introduction to scientific method and investigative analysis as well as photosynthesis and plant biology. The students plant beans in various environments in which each plant will be deprived of one of its key resources over the next couple of weeks. They will be able to observe the effects which each deprivation has on the plants’ health and will make leaf rubbings to learn about leaf structure, as well as engage in a hands-on observation of various root types and cross sections of different kinds of plants. Ages 8-11, three sessions, spread over a 14-day period (to give the plants time to grow).
White light consists of light of every color, whereas black paint consists of paint of every color. These two phenomena will be shown and explained using a suite of hands-on experiments and demonstrations involving (but not limited to) spinning color wheels, using prisms, lasers, coffee filters, markers, and diffraction gratings. Ages 7-10, two sessions, additional charge for materials.
If you don't see what you're looking for, we would be happy to customize a class to suit your students' interests and needs.
Contact us to bring our programs to your school
Please feel free to email us or call at (301) 229-8000 for further information. We look forward to hearing from you!