Hands On Courses

  • As opposed to trying to learn to cook by following one recipe after the other, seeking some sort of pattern or logic, this course does the exact opposite. With an incredible gift for making the complex simple, the award winning Chef Dylan France teaches kids to understand the chemistry and principles behind how and why food cooks the way it does. Upon finishing this course, kids will not only be ready to prepare amazing and healthy dishes, but will have the knowledge and the confidence to "play" with food, and to "create." Chef Dylan France teaches that "recipes are recommendations," and encourages kids to "make food their own." This course should be mandatory curriculum for everyone.

    Recommended Ages: 12 and Up

    Recommended Number of Credits: ​5- (equivalent to one semester)

  • Learn one of the best careers in the world, from one of the best at it. David "Nelly" Nelson shares his lifetime of experience and knowledge of surf & skate photography, having worked with the best surfers (& Skaters) on the planet, including Kelly Slater, John John Florence, Andy Irons, Kai Lenny, Nathan Fletcher, Christian Hosoi, Daryl "Flea" Virostko, "Barney," ...and everyone in between. He's also shot in legendary surf spots from nearly every corner of the globe, including Teahupo'o, J-bay, Pipeline, Mavericks, and has scored 96 magazine cover shots.

    It is unclear which is more valuable to the student, Nelly's insight into the craft that he has mastered, or his love/passion for life... but you are sure to walk away with both, after taking this class. This was one of our favorite courses to make, and we hope it is one of your favorite courses to take!

    Recommended Ages: 14 and Up

    Recommended Number of Credits: ​5- (equivalent to one semester)

  • 1. Photography Basics

    1.1 Camera Bodies

    1.2 Lenses

    1.3 All-in-Ones

    1.4 Lighting

    2. Shooting from the Water

    2.1 Specialized Equipment

    2.2 Angles/Shots

    ​2.3 Camera Settings

    2.4 Safety

    2.5 Who to Shoot

    3. Shooting from Land

    3.1 Specialized Equipment

    3.2 Angles/Shots

    3.3 Camera Settings

    3.4 Who to Shoot

    4. Skate Photography

    4.1 Specialized Equipment

    4.2 Angles/Shots

    ​4.3 Camera Settings

    4.4 Who to Shoot

    5. Editing & Publishing Your Work

    5.1 Software & Techiques

    5.2 Storing Files

    5.3 Social Media

    5.4 Magazines

    5.5 Other Creative Ways to Publish

  • Many of us, unless our parents or guardians are contractors, know very little about the home we grow up in. In school, we learn to factor polynomials and memorize the capitals, but can we turn off the water to our house in an emergency? This course does exactly that... it is designed to teach you about your house, inside and out, so that you can maintain it, and even potentially improve it. This course couldn't be more relevant, and is actually pretty fun, once you start to notice and tinker with the systems in your house.

    Recommended Ages: 12 and Up

    Recommended Number of Credits: 5- (equivalent to one semester)

  • There might be nothing more exciting than the freedom associated with learning to drive, and having your first car! That being said, unless you have a parent or guardian that is handy under the hood, there might also be nothing more confusing. Different from a true “auto repair” course, this class covers things from basic maintenance, to how to deal with an accident, and what the lights on your dashboard mean.

    Aside from being practical and fun, this course should be considered mandatory for anyone nearing the age of driving! If you crave “relevance” in education, this course is perfect for any 16 year old… and frankly, probably even their parents/guardians!

    Recommended Ages: 14 and Up

    Recommended Number of Credits: 5- (equivalent to one semester)

  • 1. The Basics

    1.1 Types of Fuel

    1.2 How to Pop the Hood

    1.3 The Dashboard Gauges

    1.4 Hazard Lights

    1.5 Better Gas Mileage

    1.6 Driving Pre-check

    2. Oil

    2.1 Checking the Oil

    2.2 What Oil is Right for Your Car

    2.3 Identifying Oil Leaks

    2.4 When to Change Your Oil

    3. Tires

    3.1 How to Check Your Tire Pressure

    3.2 Checking Your Tire Tread

    3.3 Where is My Spare Tire?

    3.4 The Different Types of Tires

    3.5 Four Wheel Drive

    4. The Electrical and Fuel Systems

    4.1 Overview of Key Electrical Parts

    4.2 Your Battery

    4.3 How to Jump Start a Car

    4.4 Spark Plugs

    4.5 Overview of Key Fuel Parts

    5. Common Problems

    5.1 Dashboard Warning Lights

    5.2 Break Wear

    5.3 Cabin Filters

    5.4 Burned out Bulbs

    5.5 Wiper Blades

    5.6 Dealing with Breaking Down

    5.7 What to Do if You are Pulled Over

    5.8 What to Do if You have an Accident

  • Unless you are raised by a handy mother, father, or guardian... it is assumed that, for subjects like "tools," you'll just "pick it up" over time. We at Nexbooks would rather give you a heads start, covering the majority of tools that a non-professional DIY type would use and keep in the home.

    And in reality, by teaching tools, and how to use them, we are really teaching self-reliance, and an entirely different way of looking at things. There is power is having and using tools, and we are excited to pass that power onto our students!

    Recommended Ages: All ages

    Recommended Number of Credits: ​2.5- (equivalent to 1/2 semester)

  • 1. General (everyday) Tools

    1.1 Screwdrivers

    1.2 Hammers

    1.3 Plyers & Snips

    1.4 Wrenches

    1.5 Measuring

    1.6 Drills & Bits

    2. For Building Projects

    2.1 Small Wood Projects - Tables/Frames/etc.

    2.2 Big Wood Projects - Decks/Fences/Treehouses/etc.

    2.3 Staining & Painting

    2.4 Demolition

    3. For Fixing Your House & Yard

    3.1 Plumbing

    3.2 Electrical

    3.3 Fixing Your Walls

    3.4 For Digging

    3.5 For Shrubs & Trees

    3.6 For the Lawn & Weeds

    4. For Fixing Your Car/Truck

    4.1 Under the Hood

    4.2 Lifting the Car/Truck

    4.3 The Tires & Trim

    4.4 Battery & Electrical