*This class is second semester content. It is NOT necessary for a learner to have attended first semester to join this class. All learners are welcome.*

The learners in this class will remain the same throughout the 9 weeks to form a group of learners. The learners will build connections and gain social skills as science is taught. Collaboration and team work will be promoted in each class. This class is excellent for home-school/unschooling families as well as learners who are interested in science enrichment or extension.

Second grade science topics taught in this 9 week class include:

1. First Semester Content Review
2. Earth's Systems: Water and Wind
3. Engineering Design 

The Next Generation Science Standards (nextgenscience.org) will be used to guide course instruction and ensure learners have the needed skills for the second semester courses and third grade.

In keeping with the Next Generation Science standards, science and engineering practices along with crosscutting concepts will be incorporated as learners participate in class. For example, when learners study Earth's Processes they will create a model of a volcano or earthquake (engineering) and determine how the earth has changed over time due to its processes (crosscutting concept).

Specific weekly objectives for this course:
1. Get to know you activities, classroom expectations and procedures, breakout room activity to review matter.
2. Identify a variety of ecosystems. 
3. Project: Create an ecosystem. 
4. Time to work on project from week 3 and project presentation.
5. Identify bodies of water. 
6. Introduction to the Engineering and Design Process (identify a problem, research possible solutions, create a plan, make a prototype, improve your plan).
7. Application of the Engineering and Design Process with a STEM Project. 
8. Application of the Engineering and Design Process with a STEM Project.
9. Free build and celebration of a great class. 

The class will be structured as teacher facilitated and interactive. Learners will be engaged in games, discussions, videos and hands-on projects. My teaching style is relaxed and inclusive. I encourage learner participation and questions. The classroom is 'ours' not 'mine'. Learners will have many opportunities to interact with me and their classmates each week.