High School Level Chemistry
(college-prep course)

Target Grade Range: 9th-12th Grade
Length of Class: Two Semesters
Fee for Tuition, Text, & All Supplies: $1062 ($1180-10%)
Two Semester Schedule: August 25 - December 1, 2010 & January 19 - May 4, 2011
Live Class Time: Thursdays @ 3:00 pm Eastern (recording available 24/7)
Estimated Weekly Assignment Time Required: 5 - 7 Hours
Prerequisites: Algebra I preferred but not required
Text: "Spectrum Chemistry" by Durell Dobbins, Ph.D. and Gary Wilemon, Ph.D (an excellent Christian Worldview text) and Princeton Review "AP Chemistry"
Please note: All class materials, including lab materials & text, are included in the class fee
Supplemental Materials: Spectrum Lab Workbook and all lab supplies (an extensive lab kit for 20+ experiments)

Topics Covered..

Getting Ready (Introduction and Preparatory Information)
1: “Can We Talk?” (Introduction)
2: The Language of Chemistry (Element names and symbols, Law of Definite Composition, Law of Multiple proportions, molecular formulas)
3: How Do You Measure “Up”? (Measurement, precision, accuracy, calibration and standard units)
4: Anything Times One Is (The unit factor system for organizing and solving problems)

Properties of Matter (The Elements and Their Fundamental Properties as Pure Substances)
5: Bony People Tend to be Dense (Density)
6: Quiz 1
7: What’s the Matter? (States and distributions of matter)
8: Separation of Mixtures (The use of physical and chemical properties to effect separations)
9: Specific Heat (Specific heat and heat transfer, calorimetry)
10: Who Thought Up “Atoms”? (Dalton’s atomic theory, atomic structure and particles, atomic number)
11: What’s New (The Bohr atom, excitation and spectra, s orbitals, electron configurations)
12: The Periodic Table--To Be This Ugly, You Need a Reason! (p and d orbitals)
13: With the Exception of Hydrogen (Analysis of the periodic table: atomic size, ease of ionization)
14: Quiz 2
15: Isotopes and Atomic Mass (Isotope notation, atomic mass, average atomic mass of natural elements)

Bonds and Molecules (Combinations of Elements)
16: Chemical Bonding and Electron Pork (Covalent bonds and electronegativity)
17: Unequal Sharing and Unequal Not Sharing (Polar covalent and ionic bonds)
18: Striving for Nobility (The octet rule and noble gas configurations, Lewis structures)
19: Molecules and Shape (Three-dimensional geometries of molecules)
20: Quiz 3
21: What Do You Call This Stuff? (Nomenclature and Type I Binary Compounds)
22: Naming Type II Binary Compounds (Nomenclature continued)
23: Polyatomic Ions (Nomenclature continued)
24: Naming Type III Binary Compounds (Nomenclature continued)
25: The Mole (Molecular weight, molar mass, gram atomic weight, Avogadro’s number)
26: Percent Composition (Mass percent composition, percent water in a hydrate)
27: Quiz 4
28: Empirical Formulas (Calculating empirical formula from percent composition)
29: How Many Empiricals in a Molecular (Molecular formula from empirical formula and molar mass)

Chemical Reactions (Reaction Chemistry)
30: Teetering on the Brink of Reaction Chemistry (Mass balance and chemical reaction equations)
31: Chemical Equations: The Dark Side (Balancing tougher equations)
32: Reaction Types (Synthesis, decomposition and single displacement reaction, activity series)
33: The Double Switch (Double displacement reactions)
34: Oxidation-Reduction Reactions (Simple electron transfer and oxidation number)
35: Whose Electron Is This? (Determining oxidation state and changes in oxidation state)
36: Quiz 5
37: Stoichiometry (Calculating quantities of reactants and products from chemical equations)
38: Son of Stoichiometry (Extra practice in stoichiometric calculations)
39: How Much Can You Really Get? (Actual, theoretical and percent yield)
40: Quiz 6

State (The States of Matter, Changes of State and Simple Solutions)

41: The Big Squeeze (Properties of gases, gas pressure, Boyle’s Law)
42: Turn Up the Heat, Turn Up the Volume (Charles’ Law, Gay-Lussac’s Law, Combined Gas Law)
43: Pulling It All Together (Kinetic-Molecular Theory, Dalton’s Law, Avogadro’s Law)
44: An Ideal Gas Obeys the Law (Ideal Gas Law)
45: Grandson of Stoichiometry (Stoichiometric calculations based on the gas laws)
46: Quiz 7
47: Liquids, and Changes from Liquids to Gases (Properties of liquids: surface tension, capillary action, vaporization, heat of vaporization, hydrophobicity)
48: Liquid-Vapor Equilibrium (Dynamic equilibrium, volatility, boiling point, vapor pressure curves)
49: Liquid-Solid Equilibrium, Etc. (Freezing point, melting point, heat of fusion, sublimation, phase equilibrium diagrams, triple point, critical temperature and pressure)
50: Solutions (Diffusion, solubility, polarity, water as a solvent, saturation, rate of solution, solubility curves)
51: Concentrations I--Express Yourself (Mass fractions, mass percents, mass per unit volume)
52: Quiz 8
53: Concentrations II--Our Furry Friend Gone Fractional (Mole fraction, molarity, molality)
54: Changing the Concentration of a Solution (Dilution and concentration)
55: Collig-igative Properties-operties (Freezing point lowering, boiling point elevation, vapor pressure lowering, osmotic pressure elevation, what all these have in common)
56: Quiz 9

Applied Chemistry (Special Topics in Chemistry)
57: Water (Water chemistry)
58: Acids/Bases (Acid/base theory)
59: pH (Logarithms and calculation of pH)
60: Acids and Bases in Chemical Reactions
61: Chemical Equilibrium (Reversible reactions, equilibrium constants)
62: Quiz 10
63: Environmental Chemistry (Complex systems, colloids, toxins, purification processes)
64: Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry (Introduction to carbon chemistry, structural tour of organic chemistry, the discontinuity between simple chemistry and biochemistry, introduction to the chemistry of living things)
65: Chemistry and Evolution: An Essay (Commentary on the absence of chemical support for abiogenesis and on the low probability of biogenesis against the current of entropy)

Plus additional advanced topics.

Along with their texts, students will be mailed an extensive chemistry "lab kit" so they can perform labs with my direction. All texts and lab materials / kit are included in the class fee.

"Advanced, Accelerated Biology"
AKA "Extreme Biology"

(college-prep course)
This Christian worldview, one week, intensive residential "Advanced, Accelerated Biology" class is for serious, college-bound, Christian students who have already taken high school level biology and have an interest in a science major in college.

This residential class is limited to 8 students on a first-come-first-served basis.

- Class consists of one intense week of labs / class (60 hours) and a four week reading / studying assignment followed by an exam.

All books and lab supplies are provided as part of the class. the class fee also covers all meals and lodging.

- We'll perform 21 advanced labs and cover applicable advanced theory that will enable students to better understand advanced biology topics, to be well prepared for the rigors of college science, and to prepare effectively for exams such as AP Biology, SAT Biology subject test, CLEP Biology, and the science reasoning portion of the ACT. Acceptable scores on these tests may lead to college credit and advanced placement in college. All homeschoolers are eligible to take these tests at any time during their high school grade level years.

- The complexity and equipment required for these labs would make it difficult for most students to do these labs at home. The majority of public and private school students do not have have access to the volume and complexity of the labs we perform.

- We'll introduce theory on all the critical advanced biology topics.

Please note: this is not an "AP Biology" class. Using that name requires going through a certification process with the company that administers the test. I don't plan to do that. However, any student can take the "AP Biology" exam; taking an "AP Biology" class is not required to be eligible to take the "AP Biology" exam. In class, we'll cover details of taking these exams: SAT Biology subject test, CLEP Biology test, AP Biology test, and the science reasoning portion of the ACT.

Teaching Experience

I teach this class from the experience of being a college professor, talking with hundreds of my college students who have taken these tests, working with hundreds of high school level homeschooled students who have taken, and are preparing for these tests, and knowing which topics and labs are most critical for serious, college bound science students. As a college professor, I know which skills and knowledge students need to handle the rigors of college science.

We'll also discuss careers in science and medicine, a favorite topic of mine to discuss with students.

Students will leave the residential week with a fully completed lab manual and they will be proficient in the scientific method and producing lab reports.

I am a creationist and will teach how science supports creation and not evolution. The theory of evolution will be covered so that students will be prepared for exams and college science, and so that they can defend their beliefs.

21 advanced, experimental, quantitative labs will be performed - here are some of the topics that will be covered:

- Electrophoresis
- Enzyme catalysis
- Cell respiration
- Circulatory physiology
- Molecular biology
- Diffusion and osmosis
- Transpiration
- Advanced microscopy
- DNA Extraction
- Dissolved oxygen
- Experimental design analysis
- Sheep organ dissection and tissue ID
- Plant pigment analysis
- Mitosis and meiosis
- Genetics of organisms

Students will have approximately 70 hours of class / lab time during the residential week. After the residential week, they will have a four week reading / studying assignment, followed by an exam for the course.

"Advanced, Accelerated Biology" for Guys - September 18 - 25, 2010
Students arrive at 2 pm on Saturday, September 18 and leave at 2 pm on Saturday, September 25
This residential class is limited to 8 students on a first-come-first-served basis

"Advanced, Accelerated Biology" for Girls - October 16 - 23, 2010 (peak fall leaf season)
Students arrive at 2 pm on Saturday, October 16 and leave at 2 pm on Saturday, October 23
This residential class is limited to 8 students on a first-come-first-served basis

Accommodations, Meals, Etc.

 Students will reside in our ground floor apartment (under our log cabin home). It has its own outside entrance with no entrance to the house and has served as "dorm" / "science lab" over the years. It exits to two porches where students can hear and enjoy our creek just 30 feet away. We live on a gravel road surrounded by woods and hiking trails (a great place for biology), yet only one mile into "town" (Boone, NC). Students will also enjoy beautiful mountain (elevation 3200 feet) fall colors.

Students will sleep on "camping cots" and will eat meals and snacks cooked by my bride of 27 years, an incredible cook. :)  She is also a neonatal ICU nurse and will assist occasionally in lab and give students her unique perspective on neonatology, and her love for those teeny-tiny babies.

We'll work hard but mix in some fun too (not that biology won't be fun). :)  We'll do campfire cookouts and roast marshmallows, hang out, talk biology, and we'll eat at a few of the local restaurants. Students can spend their free time hanging out by the creek, taking walks / hikes (our gravel road follows the creek for a mile), rocking on the porch, etc. It will be an intense week of biology but it will be fun - that's the best way to learn!

Free Shuttle Bus From Charlotte, NC Airport to Class

This class is located in  the Appalachian Mountains of Boone, North Carolina. We offer a free airport shuttle bus for students flying into Charlotte, NC (two hours from Boone). Students can ride the shuttle at any of these times on Friday: 1:30 pm, 4:30 pm, 7:30 pm, or Saturday: 7:30 am, 10:30 am, or 1:30 pm. The shuttle trip is two hours. We would like them to arrive by 2:00 pm on Saturday if possible. If they have to fly on Friday, they're welcome to the "dorm" on Friday night.

Everything is Included in the Class Fee:
- Lab and Lecture Time
- All Lab Materials
- Texts and Manuals
- Lodging and Food

Target Grade Range: 9th-12th Grade
Length of Class: 5 weeks (1 week residential)
Fee for Tuition, Text, & All Lab Supplies: $1530 ($1800 - 15% discount)
Please note: All class materials, including lab materials & text, are included in the class fee
Prerequisites: Biology recommended 
Text: TBA

Creation Apologetics - Defending God's Creation

Target Grade Range: 8th-12th Grade
Length of Class: One Semester
Fee for Tuition, Text, & All Supplies: $522 ($580-10%)
Semester Schedule: August 25 - December 1, 2010
Live Class Time: Wednesdays @ 3:00 pm Eastern
Estimated Weekly Assignment Time Required: 3 - 5 Hours
Prerequisites: None
Text: Evolution; The Grand Experiment by Dr Carl Werner
Please note: All class materials, including lab materials & text, are included in the class fee

This class gives students a basis for defending God's creation with the science behind it.
We'll use a text and students will also be sent several DVDs by experts in the field, as part of the class.. such as:

- Millions of Years - Where Did the Idea Come From? by Dr Terry Mortenson
- Creation: Science Confirms the Bible is True by Dr Jason Lisle
- Intricacies of Flight by Dr Andy McIntosh
- Fearfully and Wonderfully Made by Dr David Menton
- The New Answers - Top Creation / Evolution Questions and Their Answers by Ken Ham
- The Flood by Dr Andrew Snelling
- The Hearing Ear and Seeing Eye by Dr David Menton
- Molecular Evidence by Dr David DeWitt
- Creation Astronomy by Dr Jason Lisle
- Evolution and Logical Fallacies by Dr Jason Lisle

It's a cool class, and one that students love. We'll even discuss the mysterious dinosaurs. :)
I love teaching this class!

4th - 6th Grade Level "Young Scientist Chemistry"

This Class is Full

The purpose of this class is to introduce students to science, the scientific method, listening in class, taking notes, studying, and taking an online class. It is presented at a very basic, hands-on level.

Target Grade Range: 4th - 6th Grade
Length of Class: One Semester
Fee for Tuition, Text, & All Lab Supplies: $568 ($580-2%)
Semester Schedule: August 24 - November 30, 2010
Live Class Time: Tuesdays @ 10:30 am Eastern (recording available 24/7)
Estimated Weekly Assignment Time Required: 2 - 3 Hours
Prerequisites: None
Text: "Young Scientist Chemistry" Manual by Greg Landry
Please note: All class materials, including lab materials & text, are included in the class fee

Each semester we'll offer a different "Young Scientists" class - rotating among these four classes:
(These may be taken in any order - students taking a fall 2010 "Young Scientists" class will be given preferential access at registration if they'd like to take a spring, 2011 "Young Scientists" class)

- Young Scientist Chemistry - Fall Semester 2010
- Young Scientist Anatomy & Physiology - Fall Semester 2010
- Young Scientist Biology - Spring Semester 2011
- Young Scientist Physics - Fall Semester 2011

Topics Covered: Basics of what "chemistry" is, basic measurements, atoms / elements / periodic table, gases, metals, electrons, matter and its phases, pH, molecules and compounds, carbon and organic chemistry, practical chemistry, nitrogen compounds, water, etc.

We'll do a variety of unique labs that bring "chemistry" to life for students - they're also lots of fun!

Several labs will be done at home with my direction. Lab materials are included in the class package..

- metric cubes
- experiments kit
- safety glasses
- 500 ml beaker
- 20 ml graduated cylinder
- pipette
- metric ruler
- thermometer
- and more

4th - 6th Grade Level "Young Scientist Anatomy & Physiology"
The purpose of this class is to introduce students to science, the scientific method, listening in class, taking notes, studying, and taking an online class. It is presented at a very basic, hands-on level.

Target Grade Range: 4th - 6th Grade
Length of Class: One Semester
Fee for Tuition, Text, & All Lab Supplies: $568 ($580-2%)
Semester Schedule: August 26 - December 2, 2010
Live Class Time: Thursdays @ 1:30 pm Eastern (recording available 24/7)
Estimated Weekly Assignment Time Required: 2 - 3 Hours
Prerequisites: None
Text: "Young Scientist Anatomy & Physiology" Manual by Greg Landry and "Exploring the History of Medicine" by Tiner
Please note: All class materials, including lab materials & text, are included in the class fee

Each semester we'll offer a different "Young Scientists" class - rotating among these four classes:
(These may be taken in any order - students taking a fall 2010 "Young Scientists" class will be given preferential access at registration if they'd like to take a spring, 2011 "Young Scientists" class)

- Young Scientists Chemistry - Fall Semester 2010
- Young Scientists Anatomy & Physiology - Fall Semester 2010
- Young Scientists Biology - Spring Semester 2011
- Young Scientists Physics - Fall Semester 2011

Topics Covered:

bones, muscles, joints, integumentary system, nervous system, endocrine system, the senses, blood, cardiovascular system, lymphatic system, immune system, respiratory system, nutrition, urinary system, digestive system, genetics, and NOT the reproductive system. These topics are covered at a very basic level.

We'll do a variety of unique labs that bring "anatomy and physiology" to life for students - they're also lots of fun!

Students will be mailed a "lab kit" (included in class fee) so they can do the labs with my direction:

• Students will receive a 15 inch skeleton to use as we study bones
• We'll do reflex experiments with a percussion hammer to help understand the nervous system.
• We'll do vision experiments to better understand the eyes.
• Students will receive a five foot human body poster to aid studying
• To better understand genetics and heredity, we do experiments using genetic traits.
• Students will receive stethoscope for studying the heart
•  We'll do forensic fingerprinting experiments as we study the skin

6th - 9th Grade Level Pre-Chemistry

Target Grade Range: 6th-9th Grade
Length of Class: One Semester
Fee for Tuition, Text, & All Lab Supplies: $568 ($580-2%)
Semester Schedule: August 24 - November 30, 2010
Live Class Time: Tuesdays @ 9:00 am Eastern (recording available 24/7)
Estimated Weekly Assignment Time Required: 3 - 5 Hours
Prerequisites: None
Text: "Exploring the World of Chemistry" by Tiner and "Pre-Chemistry" Manual by Greg Landry
Please note: All class materials, including lab materials & text, are included in the class fee

Topics Covered: History of various aspects of chemistry, basic measurements, atoms / elements / periodic table, gases, metals, electrons, matter and its phases, pH, molecules and compounds, carbon and organic chemistry, practical chemistry, nitrogen compounds, water, etc.

Several labs will be done at home with my direction. Lab materials are included in the class package..

- various instruments
- experiments kit
- safety glasses
- 500 ml beaker
- reactant kit
- 50 ml graduated cylinder
- pipette
- metric ruler
- thermometer
- and more

6th - 9th Grade Level Pre-Physics

Target Grade Range: 6th-9th Grade
Length of Class: One Semester
Fee for Tuition, Text, & All Lab Supplies: $568 ($580-2%)
Semester Schedule: August 24 - November 30, 2010
Live Class Time: Tuesdays @ 1:30 pm eastern
Estimated Weekly Assignment Time Required: 3 - 5 Hours
Prerequisites: None
Text: "Exploring the World of Physics" by Tiner and "Pre-Physics" Manual by Greg Landry
Please note: All class materials, including lab materials & text, are included in the class fee

Topics Covered: History of various aspects of physics, heat, energy, matter, gravity, machines, electricity, magnetism, light, nuclear energy, electromagnetism, etc.

Several labs will be done at home with my direction. Lab materials are included in the class package.

6th - 9th Grade Level Pre-Anatomy & Physiology

This Class is Full

Target Grade Range: 6th-9th Grade
Length of Class: One Semester
Fee for Tuition, Text, & All Supplies: $568 ($580-2%)
Semester Schedule: August 25 - December 1, 2010
Live Class Time: Wednesdays @ 1:30 pm Eastern
Estimated Weekly Assignment Time Required: 3 - 5 Hours
Prerequisites: None
Text: "Body by Design" by Gillan and "Pre-Anatomy and Physiology" Manual by Greg Landry
Supplemental Materials: A variety of lab materials (see description below)
Please note: All class materials, including lab materials & text, are included in the class fee

Similar to the high school level Anatomy and Physiology Class but only a one semester course and taught at a 6th-9th grade level. This is a great introductory course that most students find very interesting. It often sparks an interest in the medical and science fields.

Topics Covered: bones, muscles, joints, integumentary system, nervous system, endocrine system, the senses, blood, cardiovascular system, lymphatic system, immune system, respiratory system, nutrition, urinary system, digestive system, genetics, and not the reproductive system.

We'll do a variety of unique labs that bring "anatomy and physiology" to life for students - they're also lots of fun!

Students will be mailed a "lab kit" (included in class fee) so they can do the labs with my direction:

• To better understand the blood and blood types, we'll determine each students blood type.
• To help understand how the pancreas works, we'll look at blood glucose levels before and after eating ice cream.
• We'll "virtually dissect" a variety of cow and sheep organs (similar to human): eye, brain, kidney, lung, heart, trachea and pregnant uterus.
• We'll do interesting reflex experiments to help understand the nervous system.
• We'll do vision experiments to better understand the eyes.
• To better understand genetics and heredity, we do experiments using genetic traits.
• To help understand bioenergetics, we'll perform anaerobic power tests.
• To help in understanding the urinary system, we'll do a ten parameter urinalysis on each student.

6th - 9th Grade Level Pre-Biology

This Class is Full

Target Grade Range: 6th-9th Grade
Length of Class: One Semester
Fee for Tuition, Text, & All Supplies: $568 ($580-2%)
Semester Schedule: August 25 - December 1, 2010
Live Class Time: Wednesdays @ 12:00 pm Eastern
Estimated Weekly Assignment Time Required: 3 - 5 Hours
Prerequisites: None
Text: "Exploring the World of Biology" by Tiner and "Pre-Biology" Manual by Greg Landry
Please note: All class materials, including lab materials & text, are included in the class fee

Topics Covered: Life and energy conversion, cellular reproduction and DNA, the scientific method, biological classification, biological taxonomy, Mendelian genetics, creation vs. evolution, ecology, kingdoms Monera, Protista, Fungi, Animalia, and Plantae, chemistry of life, and the cell.

Students will have access to our "virtual labs and dissections" and some labs will be done at home with my direction - with materials that we provide as part of the class.

Similar to the high school level Biology class but only a one semester course and taught at a 6th - 9th grade level. Designed to introduce students to the wonderful world of Biology and prepare students for high school Biology.

Several labs will be done at home with my direction. Lab materials are included in the class package.

High School Level Anatomy and Physiology
(college-prep course)

Target Grade Range: 9th-12th Grade
Length of Class: Two Semesters
Fee for Tuition, Text, & All Supplies: $1156 ($1180-2%)
Two Semester Schedule: August 25 - December 1, 2010 & January 19 - May 4, 2011
Live Class Time: Wednesdays @ 10:30 am Eastern
Estimated Weekly Assignment Time Required: 4 - 7 Hours
Prerequisites: Biology preferred but not required
Text: Essentials of Anatomy & Physiology by Scanlon. (I've believe this text is the best college-prep high school level text available. It is excellent!)
Supplemental Materials: Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory Manual by Greg Landry, Medical Terminology guide, and a variety of lab materials (see description below)
Please note: All class materials, including lab materials & text, are included in the class fee

Topics Covered: bones, muscles, joints, integumentary system, nervous system, endocrine system, the senses, blood, cardiovascular system, lymphatic system, immune system, respiratory system, nutrition, urinary system, digestive system, reproductive system, genetics and pregnancy.

A student going into a science-related college major (pre-med, exercise science, biology, chemistry, dentistry, forensics, athletic training, nutrition, health promotion, nursing, physical therapy, physician's assistant, occupational therapy, etc.) has a tremendous advantage if they've had this class prior to beginning college. Also, it's been my experience that this often sparks an interest in students that was previously undiscovered.

We'll do a variety of unique labs that bring "anatomy and physiology" to life for students - they're also lots of fun!

Students will be mailed a "lab kit" (included in class fee) so they can do the labs with my direction:

• To better understand the blood and blood types, we'll determine each students blood type.


• To help understand how the pancreas works, we'll look at blood glucose levels before and after eating ice cream.


• We'll "virtually dissect" a variety of cow and sheep organs (similar to human): eye, brain, kidney, lung, heart, trachea and pregnant uterus.
  
• We'll do interesting reflex experiments to help understand the nervous system.


• We'll do vision experiments to better understand the eyes.


• To better understand genetics and heredity, we do experiments using genetic traits.


• To help understand bioenergetics, we'll perform anaerobic power tests.


• To help in understanding the urinary system, we'll do a ten parameter urinalysis on each student.

High School Level Biology
(college-prep course)

This Class is Full

Target Grade Range: 9th-12th Grade
Length of Class: Two Semesters
Fee for Tuition, Text, & All Supplies: $1156 ($1180-2%)
Two Semester Schedule: August 25 - December 1, 2010 & January 19 - May 4, 2011
Live Class Time: Wednesdays @ 9:00 am Eastern
Estimated Weekly Assignment Time Required: 4 - 7 Hours
Prerequisites: None
Texts: We use two texts for this class.. 1) "Biology - A Search for Order in Complexity" by Christian Liberty Press.  2) "AP Biology Manual" by Barrons (this is not an "AP" class but it is a college prep class and we will cover many "advanced" topics). A variety of lab items are also provided.
Please note: All class materials, including lab materials & text, are included in the class fee

Topics Covered: Life and energy conversion, cellular reproduction and DNA, the scientific method, biological classification, biological taxonomy, Mendelian genetics, creation vs. evolution, ecology, kingdoms Monera, Protista, Fungi, Animalia, and Plantae, chemistry of life, and the cell.

Students will have access to our "virtual labs and dissections" and some labs will be done at home with my direction - with materials that we provide as part of the class.

Exercise Physiology / Sports Medicine

Target Grade Range: 8th-12th Grade
Length of Class: One Semester
Fee for Tuition, Text, & All Supplies: $568 ($580-2%)
Semester Schedule: August 26 - December 2, 2010
Live Class Time: Thursdays @ 12:00 pm eastern
Estimated Weekly Assignment Time Required: 2 - 5 Hours
Prerequisites: None
Text: "Exercise Physiology" Manual by Greg Landry, and "Sports and Exercise Physiology" by Birch
Please note: All class materials, including lab materials & text, are included in the class fee

This class is geared toward students who are interested in a sports / exercise career right out of high school or students who are interested in pursuing a college degree in a medicine, science, sports, or exercise related field.

Topics Covered: muscle physiology, injury prevention and care, energy production and utilization, training for sports, physiology of aerobic and anaerobic bioenergetics, VO2 max / aerobic capacity, hormones and exercise, energy expenditure / work / power, female training / physiology, ergogenic aids, diabetes and asthma with exercise, etc.

Several labs will be done at home with my direction. Lab materials are included in the class package.

Forensic Anatomy / Pathology CSI

Target Grade Range: 8th-12th Grade
Length of Class: One Semester
Fee for Tuition, Text, & All Supplies: $568 ($580-2%)
Semester Schedule: August 26 - December 2, 2010
Live Class Time: Thursdays @ 9:00 am Eastern
Estimated Weekly Assignment Time Required: 2 - 5 Hours
Prerequisites: None
Text: "Beyond the Body Farm" by Bass and "Forensic Anatomy" Manual by Greg Landry
Please note: All class materials, including lab materials & text, are included in the class fee

This class is geared toward students who are interested in medical crime investigation or forensic medicine CSI, and human anatomy.

Topics Covered: normal and pathological anatomy, forensic procedures, investigation techniques, real-life case studies, and mock investigations. Students will receive a very cool lab kit for labs.

Several labs will be done at home with my direction. Lab materials are included in the class package.

CLEP / ACT Science Prep Class

Target Grade Range: 9th-12th Grade
Length of Class: One Semester
Fee for Tuition, Texts, & Supplies: $568 ($580-2%)
Semester Schedule: August 26 - December 2, 2010
Live Class Time: Thursdays @ 10:30 am Eastern
Estimated Weekly Assignment Time Required: 5 - 7 Hours
Prerequisites: Biology preferred, but exceptions can be made for students who have not taken Biology and are willing to put in additional reading / studying time. Other science classes such as physical science and chemistry are helpful but not required to take this prep class.
Text: Three Review Manuals and Sample Exams (included in class fee)
Please note: All class materials, including lab materials & text, are included in the class fee

This class is designed to help students prepare / review for the following examinations. Even if not taking any of these exams, this class is also an excellent review for college freshman science:

- CLEP Biology Examination - Satisfactory score usually earns three semester hours of college Biology credit.. and thus may also be used for high school Biology credit if student has not taken the class.
- CLEP Natural Science Examination - Satisfactory score usually earns three to six semester hours of college general education or Natural Science (biology and physical sciences) credit.. and thus may also be used for high school science credit if student has not taken the classes. This exam is geared toward students who will not be science majors in college and thus is more of a basic survey exam rather than an in depth test.
- ACT Examination (science reasoning section only) - ACT is a national college admission and placement exam that (in my opinion) all college-bound homeschooled students should take. It is one of the two national exams that is critical to college admission (especially for homeschoolers) and college scholarships. Approximately 25% of this exam is composed of the "science reasoning" section. Most homeschooled students find this section of the ACT to be the most difficult.

 
About CLEP Exams: CLEP exams are administered by the same company that administers the SAT, College Board. More than 2,900 accredited colleges and universities award college credit for satisfactory scores on CLEP exams. It's the most widely accepted "test for credit" examination. CLEP exams are administered throughout the year, on a computer, at over 1,400 colleges and universities - you'll know your score immediately upon completion. CLEP exams are very "homeschooler friendly" and are not tied to public high schools as some other exams are.

Topics Covered in this Class..

75% Biology / Anatomy & Physiology: Cells, enzymes, composition of organisms, energy transformation, chemical nature of the gene, cell division, plant reproduction and development, human anatomy and physiology, evolution / creation, structure and function in plants and animals, animal reproduction and development, social biology, principles of heredity, ecology, behavior, and evolution (as required for testing).

15% Physical / Natural Sciences: Atomic and nuclear structure and properties, elementary particles, nuclear reactions, Chemical elements, compounds and reactions; molecular structure and bonding, Heat, thermodynamics, and states of matter; classical mechanics; relativity, The universe: galaxies, stars, the solar system, The Earth: atmosphere, hydrosphere, structure, properties, surface features, geological processes, history

10% Test Taking Skills: Science Integration, Test taking strategy, critical thinking, science reasoning, practice tests for each type of test, analyzing test questions, etc.

Several labs will be done at home with my direction. Lab materials are included in the class package.

Research Methods / Critical Thinking for the Sciences

Target Grade Range: 9th-12th Grade
Length of Class: One Semester
Fee for Tuition, Text, & All Supplies: $568 ($580-2%)
Semester Schedule: August 24 - November 30, 2010
Live Class Time: Tuesdays @ 12:00 pm eastern
Estimated Weekly Assignment Time Required: 4 - 6 Hours
Prerequisites: None
Texts: "Research Comes Alive!", "Looking for Data in all the Right Places", and "Critical Thinking"
Please note: All class materials, including lab materials & text, are included in the class fee

This class will help students to be "stand-outs" in the high school years and in college. Students who enter college with this type of knowledge and experience perform better in science labs, more easily understand many scientific concepts, have a decided advantage with research papers, score better on tests that involve scientific reasoning and critical thinking, and are more competitive for graduate school if that's their goal. Most students don't get this type of training until they're in graduate school.

Students will learn every aspect of the research and critical thinking process, from topic selection, to experimentation / data collection, and writing. Students will leave this class with proficiency in writing lab reports, research papers, and original scientific research suitable for publication.

Students will complete a research project during the semester that will be published in our "Journal of Student Science Research".

Topics Covered: Finding a research topic and subtopics, developing critical thinking and scientific reasoning skills, developing a research questions and hypothesis, types of research, data gathering, sample selection, methodologies, basic statistics, analyzing and interpreting data, and publishing results.