Students will engage in lively discussions and hands on activities while learning about crucial moments in American history. Students will use their creativity and problem solving skills to design projects that reflect a moment in history.  Each class begins with a 10 to 15 minute lecture and discussion about a historical topic and the rest of the class period( 45-50 min) is dedicated to construction of their project and interaction between learners and the instructor. This 10 week course will focus on topics from 1804-1920s. 

Week 1: Lewis and Clark (Corps of Discovery)  ---Make an insulated blanket.
Week 2: Life on the Oregon Trail----Build a covered wagon.
Week 3: First Industrial Revolution/ Westward Expansion---- Design and build a model invention.
Week 4: Gold Rush of 1849----Panning for gold challenge.
Week 5: The Underground Railroad---Create a constellation and lantern.
Week 6: Civil War---Create a cannonball launcher.
Week 7: The Railroad---Create a marble run.
Week 8: The Great Chicago Fire----create a water pipeline.
Week 9: The invention of the telephone---design a telephone.
Week 10:Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ----build a durable and free standing statue.
***Each week I will send a materials list for the next class. ***