$225
for 10 classesSTEM: Engineering, Physics, Electronics, Programming Hands-On Course Intermediate
Completed by 80 learners
Ages 10-15
Live Group Class
Live video meetings
1x per week, 10 weeks
3-18 learners per class
55 min
What's included
10 live meetings
9 hrs 10 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
This is a sequel to the Beginner Course of the same name. This course will follow the same format as the beginner, but go deeper into more components and concepts. This course is a deep dive into understanding of design concepts with physics, electronics, (and eventually computer control in the advanced course). We will be using weekly real world hands-on projects, designed mostly by the students themselves, to demonstrate principles and concepts of electricity, physics, and computers. We will be moving slowly, giving plenty of time for discussion and questions to make sure the concepts are fully understood. The goal here is understanding of how things work, and how parts work together to create a whole, utilizing things like physical gears and levers and motors, driven by electricity, controlled by electronic components like switches, accelerators, resistors, batteries, and eventually adding in computer control of those devices. This is not a simple "follow these instructions and build this thing" course. The students will be expected to design and build their own projects to the requirements given and using the principles discussed in class. To do this will require full understanding of the concepts and principles of engineering. At the heart of the course is the kit called "LAB-BOX" which contains the electronic components and connections. The initial "pilot" kit was purchased in the beginner course (a requirement), so for this course we need the expansion kit to bring it up the full "class kit". In addition there will be extra materials required to complete each project. The extra materials should be readily available around the house or a local hobby or hardware store and deciding on these materials is part of the design process of engineering. In this course, the learners will build relationships with each other and the teacher. Group discussions and brainstorming is a key component, followed by individual activity and creation between live classes. The class size is kept relatively small to foster more relationship and more individual attention for all. There are three levels in this series of courses. This is the intermediate course, where we dive deeper into more advanced components and concepts of engineering. Then finally the advanced kit, that brings in a computer controller to add computer logic and programming to the final 10 weeks. Each 10 week course is purchased separately and requires an expansion to the original LabBox Kit. All together the three courses give 30 weeks of total instruction across an entire year on a common and expanding theme. In the background of the official three main projects, each student will be expected to create a "secret class project" of their own design, to be unveiled in the final class on week 10. This is where more advanced students can really shine and explore on their own beyond that we do in class. General Course Flow: There will be three major group projects within the 10 week course, plus one private "secret class project". Each major project will start simple, and then expand in additional phases, just as engineering often happens in the "real world". The initial designs must be sturdy enough to withstand change and improvement in subsequent phases. For each major project: First Week: Introduction of initial project Explanation of new components and concepts Discussion on design concepts Commissioning of build time Subsequent Weeks: Review of initial designs Introduction of next project phase Explanation of new components and concepts Discussion on design concepts Commissioning of build time Outline of the Course Projects: Week 1: Introductions and First Project : Catapult Begin First Project - Build a working catapult frame using a servo motor Concepts of physics (force, mass, inertia), motors, triggers Week 2: Demonstrate and improve design of the catapult Add an automatic timer and reset Week 3: Demonstrate, Improve and Automate Catapult Add automatic triggers (light, distance) Add Analog to Digital converter (comparator) Week 4: Begin Project Two - Light target shooting game Concepts of light, motors, accuracy Week 5: Additional Phase Make target moving Adjustable time delay Add rotating shutter Week 6: Begin Project Three - Self Driving Car Concepts of distance sensing and control as analog Week 7: Self driving car V2 Add Digital control Week 8: Self Driving Car Additional Add fun stuff! (lights, horn, etc) Week 9: Secret Class Project Make Something! Use the skills learned in class to build a special secret project to be revealed in week 10 Week 10: Review Secret Class Projects Q & A
Other Details
Supply List
In addition to the Pilot kit, purchased in the beginner course, each student will need the expansion kit for this course: https://davidsalch.perfectpackageonline.com/ Be sure to select the "Pilot to Expansion" version of the kit for this class if you have the pilot kit from the beginner class.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Meet the teacher
Teacher expertise and credentials
Learning facts and skills is definitely important, but an often missed but critical piece of education is understanding the foundation. Without a proper understanding of the underlying principles of "how something works," the collection of facts are not only less useful, but often dangerous. It is the understanding of principles that makes interpretation and application of facts possible. By achieving a basic understanding of the principles, it is possible to truly master life skills.
I am mid 50's, Father of 12 children and 4 grandchildren. My life experience is one of constant learning, across many disciplines, resulting in a very broad understanding of everything from the basic skills of life to deep high technology and innovative agriculture. I have several patents in my name and I am releasing a series of books on food and health through profitable small farms.
As a homeschool Dad, my desire is to bring a wealth of basic understanding to the next generation. Not how to use things, but how they really work. The type of understanding the next generation misses through education designed to only teach how to use something.
My classes are intended to give enough understanding to peak interests for further learning through independent research. Each class covers a single topic, at a deep enough level to empower the student to dive further successfully. There is no pre-requisite except a love of understanding. If you are looking to just know how to use something, this is not the place. But if you want to learn how life works, if you love to understand how this or that works, then come along on this journey of exploration into the beautiful simplistic complexity of life and nature.
The classes I teach are independent in addition I offer classes organized into series. It is not a requirement to take all the classes in a series, nor is it required to take them in order. This is designed to give you the most flexibility in scheduling. Also, the classes do repeat often and on different days and time slots, so that if you can't make one class there will be another soon that will match your schedule.
See you in class!
Reviews
Other classes by David Salch
Other classes by David Salch
Related categories
Parents also liked
Spooky Science! – Not Just for Halloween Experiments (STEM / STEAM )
Teacher Saara, M.Ed - Science Experiments
5.0
(1,065)
$23 per class
Next session at 9:20 PM today
Group Class
4 wks, 1/wk, 30 min
4-9
Crazy for Science! – STEM / STEAM Experiments
Teacher Saara, M.Ed - Science Experiments
5.0
(1,065)
$22 per class
Next session at 2 PM on Sunday
Group Class
4 wks, 1/wk, 30 min
4-9
Princess STEM Club: A Magical Themed Hands-On STEM/STEAM Club With a Princess
Miss Emily
4.9
(434)
$12 per class
Next session at 7:30 PM tomorrow
Group Class
1/wk, 30 min
4-9
STEM-Ology (a Hands-On Exploration of Mythology and Fantasy + Steam Challenges)
Shiny Happy Kids w/ Miss Alex STEM Dino Art Myths
5.0
(883)
$18 per class
Next session at 6 PM on Wed 2/26
Group Class
1/wk, 50 min
7-11
Steam Makers' Lab: Creative STEM Challenge Club
Shiny Happy Kids w/ Miss Alex STEM Dino Art Myths
5.0
(883)
$15 per class
Next session at 11:15 PM tomorrow
Group Class
1/wk, 45 min
7-11
Science Is Magic: STEM Alchemy for Young Witches and Wizards (Hands-On Steam)
Shiny Happy Kids w/ Miss Alex STEM Dino Art Myths
5.0
(883)
$18 per class
Next session at 7 PM on Fri 3/7
Group Class
1/wk, 45 min
7-10
Squishmallows STEAM (Weekly Hands-On Science + STEM w/ a Squishy, Plushie Twist)
Shiny Happy Kids w/ Miss Alex STEM Dino Art Myths
5.0
(883)
$17 per class
Next session at 6 PM on Wed 2/26
Group Class
1/wk, 45 min
6-10
Exploring NASA's Educational Programs, Student Challenges & Internships!
Quantum Physics for Kids
4.9
(1,445)
$18 per class
Next session at 12 AM on Sat 3/8
Group Class
12 wks, 1/wk, 50 min
10-15
Little Einstein’s Laboratory – Experiments Galore Camp!
Teacher Saara, M.Ed - Science Experiments
5.0
(1,065)
$22 per class
Next session at 7 PM on Wednesday
Group Class
4 wks, 1/wk, 30 min
4-8
Summer Steam Fun
Ms. P. (Karen), Computer Science Education
5.0
(41)
$55 per class
Next session at 7:30 PM on Thu 6/12
Group Class
1/wk, 2.50 hr
8-13
STEM Club: On-Going STEM Challenges With Teacher Angie
Angie Wolf, M.Ed.
4.9
(547)
$15 per class
Next session at 7 PM on Tue 4/8
Group Class
1/wk, 45 min
7-10
Exploration Station STEM Club
Seed and Stem Learning Center
4.8
(806)
$1 per month
Chat Group
Unlimited Access
10-14
STEM Mentoring with Teacher Tom! Explore STEM Projects 1:1 at Your Own Pace
Teacher Tom Bickmore
5.0
(273)
$75 per session
1-on-1 Lessons
On Demand
5-18
Ongoing Weekly Course: The Art of Science - A Perfect Steam!
Kimberly Couch, M.Ed.
5.0
(154)
$15 per class
Next session at 3 PM on Wednesday
Group Class
1/wk, 40 min
9-12
STEM Camp for Kindergarten and First Grade
Angie Wolf, M.Ed.
4.9
(547)
$12 per class
Next session at 12 AM on Tue 3/11
Group Class
1 wk, 4/wk, 40 min
5-8
Neurodiverse Students' STEM Club
Royal Geniuses Inc
5.0
(1)
$4 per class
Group Class
8 wks, 2/wk, 45 min
11-14
More to explore
How To Craft Essay
Tutoring Grammar Spelling
How Matter Works
Perspective
Dungeons And Dragons Wings Of Fire
Call Of The Wild
Lori Costa
Supreme Court
Exponent Lab
Yoga With The Bard
Star Wars Grogu
Creepy Creatures Midnight Zone
Help With Reading
Private Lessons for English Reading Have Fun Reading In This
Machine Learning With Python
Fun Chemistry Chemical Reactions
Reading for Dyslexics
Iew Advanced
Socialization
Cat Warrior