Join this engaging, hands-on course and experience science in a fun way.  Those who like creativity or are future innovators and inventors are especially welcome!

This course is also ideal for guiding students through an Engineering Project for a (Science and) Engineering Fair - both Junior and Senior levels.

How to get the most out of Inspiration, Invention, Innovation with Kathy Dutton:

• • First, read the course materials below before the first class meeting.

  • Then have a notebook ready and available for class notes each recorded session.

  • Do the assignments assigned for that week.

  • Once you start your project (looking for problems), recorded EVERYTHING in your Journal!!

  • Once the course is completed to the parent's and professor’s satisfaction, there is a Certificate of Completion at the end to be filled in for your records.

Total classes: 12 classes

Duration: 50 minutes

Prerequisite: None. However, one of the following is recommended: Physical Science, Chemistry, or Physics

Suggested grade level: 7th to 12th grade.

Suggested credit: 1/3 year (1 trimester) Science or Engineering.

Instructor: Kathy Dutton

Course Description: This is a hands-on course. Students will go through the engineering process to develop and build a project of their own choosing. Each class will have a short lecture; the rest will be a class discussion.

Course outline:

• • Introduction. pt. 1: What Is an Invention?

  • Introduction, pt. 2:  The Invention Process & Journaling

  • Identifying Problems

  • Brainstorm Solutions

  • Criteria & Constraints of the Solution

  • Design Project

  • Build Project

  • Test Project

  • Refine Project

  • Communicate Results

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Course materials:

• • Materials (and tools) to complete their project; these may be household materials or things you need to purchase.

  • Parental supervision (and possibly help) is required during the build and testing phase.

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Homework: A final project is required. Weekly requirements may include a short assignment,  journal entries, and a self-assessment.  Time requirements will vary depending on the project.  Students are expected to spend at least 3 hours per week (outside of class) on their project.

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• • Technical Help: If you have any technical trouble or questions about course content, please email us at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com.