Get ready for an unforgettable holiday adventure with the "Santa's Sleigh Engineering Challenge," where students transform into young engineers tasked with creating a miniature sleigh for Santa Claus that must safely carry "gifts" and withstand various challenges. Through hands-on building, your child will design, plan, and construct their sleigh using everyday materials like cardboard, tape, and glue, learning crucial engineering concepts like stability and weight distribution. They will test their designs, identify areas for improvement, and iterate to enhance performance, all while embracing holiday-themed creativity to decorate their sleighs with festive flair. This course seamlessly blends STEM education with holiday fun, ensuring an engaging and educational experience.

This flexible format makes it perfect for keeping kids engaged with hands-on STEM learning year-round. 


🌟 What Makes the Self-Paced Schedule So Special? 🌟
Santa's Sleigh Engineering Challenge is asynchronous, meaning there are no live sessions. Instead, students enjoy pre-recorded lessons, interactive quizzes, and engaging projects at their own pace. This format allows for:

- Access to the same quality content as live sessions, enriched with additional hands-on projects and quizzes for a comprehensive STEM learning experience.
- Freedom from technical glitches, scheduling conflicts, and distractions, offering a focused and flexible learning environment.
- The convenience of learning anytime, anywhere—revisit content as needed to reinforce understanding or ignite further curiosity, perfect for any time of the year.
- Enhanced learning with extended time for practice, questions, and creativity between lessons.


📆 Course Breakdown 📆
Week 1
Lesson 1: Lesson Introduction and Brainstorm
Lesson 2: Winter Holiday Around the World
Lesson 3: Design and Planning 
Lesson 4: Material Collection
 
Week 2
Lesson 5: Blooket Quiz
Lesson 6: Building the Sleigh
Lesson 7: Testing and Improving
Lesson 8: Presentation


🚀 Prerequisites 🚀
1. Age & Grade: This course is crafted for young learners in 3rd grade and up.
2. Learning Format: I make the lessons fun through engaging videos, interactive quiz games, and slides enriched with audio explanations.
3. Reading & Writing: While not essential, having a basic ability to read and write can enhance the experience. I highly recommend the presence of a grown-up to help navigate and understand instructions, ensuring smooth navigation through our course materials.
4. Tech Requirements: A reliable internet connection is a must to access our digital content. 
5. Language Skills: Good English comprehension is needed to understand the course content and instructions.
6. Curiosity & Resilience: A keen interest in learning, coupled with the courage to ask questions and persist through challenges, will ensure a rewarding journey into the world of aviation.


🌐 Access Duration 🌐
Understanding the varying paces at which learning happens, my course comes with a set end date but do not worry if you need more time. If you or your young learner find yourselves needing an extension to explore the course a bit longer, feel free to reach out. I'm more than happy to accommodate your learning, ensuring that every student has the time they need to fully grasp the course material.


👩‍🏫 About the Instructor 👩‍🏫
Hey there! I'm Ms. Jessica, and I'm super excited to take you on a fun ride through the magical world of engineering with the "Santa's Sleigh Engineering Challenge." My journey from being a web analyst to stepping into the classroom has been pretty wild. I've always been the curious type, fascinated by how things work, whether it's designing web pages or figuring out the mechanics behind everyday objects. That curiosity? It led me right here, teaching awesome students like you.

Homeschooling my kids opened my eyes to the wonders (and, sure, the challenges) of learning at home. It taught me how to make lessons stick by actually doing hands-on projects, not just talking about them.

Besides Outschool, I also teach STEM classes in person at private institutions and nonprofit organizations, which has been a fantastic way to meet students from all walks of life and learn that, yup, one size doesn't fit all when it comes to learning. My goal? To light up that spark of curiosity in you, make you fall in love with learning, and build up your confidence to tackle even the tricky stuff.

So, whether we're building a sleigh for Santa or exploring the principles of engineering, I'm here to cheer you on, answer your burning questions, and make sure we have a blast doing it. Ready to dive in and explore together? Let's do this! 🎅🚀



🤔 FAQ 🤔
Q: When does the class start?
A: My course is designed to let you start anytime that suits you best! All lessons are pre-recorded, allowing for a completely self-paced learning experience.

Q: What if I need more time to complete the course?
A: We understand that everyone learns at their own pace. If you find yourself needing more time, simply reach out, and I can extend the course duration for you.

Q: Is this course suitable for someone without any prior knowledge of engineering or STEM?
A: Absolutely! My course is designed for learners of all levels, starting from the 2nd grade and up. We'll guide you through all the concepts you need to know, step by step.

Q: Will I need any special materials or equipment for this course?
A: You'll need a device with internet access to view the course materials and participate in the activities. We'll provide a supply list for any additional materials needed for hands-on projects, which will include easily accessible items like cardboard, tape, and small objects.

Q: Do students need to know how to read to take this course?
A: While it's not strictly necessary for students to know how to read to participate in and enjoy the course, having basic reading skills will definitely enhance their learning experience. Lessons include videos, quizzes, and audio-inclusive slides designed to be accessible to all learners. However, for students who are still developing their reading skills, having a grown-up nearby to read instructions or provide guidance can be very helpful.

Q: What type of family is this self-paced course best suited for?
A: This self-paced course is an excellent fit for families with busy schedules who appreciate the flexibility of not having to commit to set class times. Whether you're road-schooling, world-schooling, juggling a hectic daily routine, or attending school during the day but are eager to explore this course in your free time, our self-paced format allows you to learn at your own pace and convenience. It's perfect for anyone looking to integrate learning into a lifestyle that doesn't align with traditional classroom schedules.

Q: What kind of supplies will we need, and will they be difficult to find?
A: Don't worry, the supplies needed for this course are designed to be easily accessible to everyone. You'll need basic materials such as cardboard, tape, scissors, markers, and small objects to represent "gifts." Detailed material lists and instructions will be provided upon enrollment, ensuring you can participate fully without the hassle of searching for hard-to-find supplies.

Q: How will students receive feedback on their projects?
A: Students can submit photos or videos of their sleigh designs and receive personalized feedback from me to help them improve and refine their projects.

Q: Can siblings take the course together?
A: Yes, siblings can take the course together! The hands-on projects are designed to be fun and collaborative, making it a great activity for multiple children to enjoy together.

Q: What is the expected time commitment for this course?
A: The course is designed to be flexible and fit into your schedule. Each week's activities can be completed in 1-2 hours, but students are encouraged to spend as much time as they like on their projects.

Q: Are there any live sessions or opportunities for real-time interaction?
A: While this course is asynchronous, I am available to answer questions and provide support through the course platform. Additionally, students can share their progress and interact with me within the lessons.

Q: What age group is this course best suited for?
A: This course is best suited for upper elementary and middle school students, typically ranging from ages 8 to 14. However, younger or older students who have an interest in engineering and hands-on projects are also welcome to join.

Q: What if my child finishes the course early?
A: If your child finishes the course early, they can still access all the materials and revisit any of the lessons or projects to deepen their understanding and continue experimenting with their designs.

Any other questions? Just reach out!