Understanding The Way Things Work Now: A Guided Study of Machines! Semester 1 (8-10yo)

This series can be taken in any order & multiple sections can be taken at the same time!

Join us to begin a comprehensive & guided study on how most things work! 

As a small group, we will spend a semester studying together using David Macaulay's book, "The Way Things Work Now," as our guide to the order of the topics we will learn, this group will gain a foundational understanding of how most important things work including; the mechanics of movement, harnessing the elements, working with waves, electricity & automation, & the digital domain.

We will follow the topics in the book in order and each group will move at their own pace. 

Topics may include:
The Mechanics of Movement
(Including The Inclined Plane, Levers, The Wheel & Axle, Gears & Belts, Cams & Cranks, Pulleys, Screws, Rotating Wheels, Springs, Friction & more!)

Harnessing the Elements
(Including Floating, Flying, Pressure Power, Exploiting Heat, & Nuclear Power,)

This class will require learners to read out loud, participate frequently in Q&A, take notes, & teach a friend or family member something they learned in class between each class while reporting back on how this went. Learners will also be encouraged to look for applications of their weekly topic in the world around them.

While this will be a guided study group, rather than a traditional class, the teacher will at times provide the learners with further examples to reiterate what they are learning in their studies.  No outside accounts will be needed. Those who will be the right fit for this class are independent learners with good attention spans, enthusiastic participation, and curious minds who want a meeting place to get all of their questions answered.

At the beginning of each class, we will briefly review what we learned from the previous week. Learners will also share who they taught this topic to during the week between classes. Then we will pick up where we left off and study our new topic together while brainstorming, sharing ideas, and asking plenty of questions. Each group will learn at their own pace and will get through more or less of the book. 

Note: There is no specific topic for a specific week but rather we will work through the book chronologically at the group's pace making sure we understand what we are learning rather than trying to keep up with a specific schedule and risking moving on without a solid understanding. The entire book may not get completed in class.


Schedule of classes:
Week 1: The Inclined Plane
Week 2: Levers
Week 3: The Wheel & Axle
Week 4: Gears & Belts
Week 5: Cams & Cranks
Week 6: Pulleys
Week 7: Screws
Week 8: Rotating Wheels
Week 9: Springs
Week 10: Friction
Week 11: Floating
Week 12: Flying
Week 13: Pressure Power
Week 14: Exploiting Heat
Week 15: Nuclear Power
Week 16: Semester Recap & Review

Note: This is not a strict schedule for which specific topic we will cover in a specific week but rather we will work through the book chronologically at the group's pace making sure we understand what we are learning rather than trying to keep up with a specific schedule and risking moving on without a solid understanding. We will not complete the entire book in this class.

If you love STEM & History classes, check our Teacher Tom's other ongoing and one-time classes such as:
-Current Events in Space Technology & Rocket Launches
-Kerbal Space Program (Spaceflight Simulator Challenges To Better Understand Rocket Science)
-Analog Astronauts & Missions
-Women in Space (Historic & Modern Contributions)
-Ham Radio 101
-The Science of Fireworks
-Historic Antarctic Expeditions & Leadership
....& more!