This is our catalog of courses. We will occasionally adjust the course listing to reflect the addition of new courses and the retirement of others.
Based on the book by David Macaulay, this high-interest course dives into the physics of how everyday objects work — showing us how the technology that seems magical is really man’s engineering working with God’s design.
Total classes: 14
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 6th to 9th
Suggested credit: One full semester Science, Engineering, or Basic Physics
Description
Using David Macaulay’s book, students explore how everyday objects work — exposing how the technology around us (that seems like magic) is simple physics and man’s engineering working with God’s design. Learn the mechanics of movement, including levers, wheels, gears, pulleys, and more — and be fascinated by floating, flying, pressure, heat, and nuclear power. Learn everything from doorknobs to sewing machines to computers!
Outline
Class 1: Mechanics of Movement / The Inclined Plane
Class 2: Levers
Class 3: Wheels, Gears, Belts
Class 4: Cams, Cranks & Pulleys
Class 5: Screws & Rotating Wheels
Class 6: Springs & Friction
Class 7: Reviewing for Midterm I
Class 8: Floating
Class 9: Flying
Class 10: Pressure Power
Class 11: Exploiting Heat
Class 12: Heat Power
Class 13: Nuclear Power
Class 14: Review for Final I
Materials and Homework
Course Materials: The Way Things Work Now by David Macaulay, ISBN: 978-0544824386. Available from your favorite homeschool vendor or used through BookFinder.com.
Homework: Each week, students will be required to read a selection from the textbook, take a short 10 question quiz, and try to find and examine a machine in their own house that uses the principles talked about in class.
