Science Courses

  • We've never met a kid who didn't love the Tide Pools (or an adult for that matter.) We've also never met a kid who could name every species in them, how they interrelate, and all of their amazing adaptions... until now! This course is super fun, but also teaches the principles of biology & ecology through the crazy critters found in the Tide Pools of Monterey Bay, Ca. Enjoy this one!

    Recommended Ages: 14 and Up

    Recommended Number of Credits: ​5 Units

  • 1. What are tide pools?

    1.1 Where do they form?

    1.2 How the Tides Work

    1.3 Types of Tide Pools

    1.4 Conditions in the Pools

    ​1.5 Taxonomy: Phylum, Class, Order, Genus, Species

    2. Crustaceans, Echinoderms, & Annelids

    2.1 Crabs

    2.2 Barnacles

    ​2.3 Starfish

    2.4 Sea Urchins

    2.5 Sandcastle Worms

    3. Cnidarians & Molluscs

    3.1 Anemones

    3.2 Mussels

    3.3 Sea Snails

    3.4 Limpets

    3.5 Abalone

    3.6 Nudibranchs

    3.7 Chiton

    4. Tide Pool Plants & Algae

    4.1 Sea Grasses

    4.2 Seaweed

    ​4.3 Green Algae

    4.4 Brown Algae

    4.5 Red Algae

    5. Tide Pool Visitors

    5.1 Octopus

    5.2 Tide Pool Sculpin

    5.3 Copepods

    5.4 Birds

    5.5 Humans

  • The word “virus” is one of the most common words in the English language, yet it is likely that few people (especially kids) could actually give a passing definition for what they are. This course was prompted by the current outbreak of Covid 19, as understanding is often a remedy for fear, and because kids often seek education/information when it is relevant to their lives. What better time to teach the biological principles of what viruses are, and how they affect the human body, than now?! A “short course,” this class focuses on just viruses, as they interact with humans, and is super interesting. The behaviors of viruses are nothing short of bizarre and this class is a great introduction to how they behave.

    Recommended Ages: 12 and Up

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

  • 1. What are Viruses

    1.1 Are Viruses Alive?

    1.2 The Anatomy of a Virus

    1.3 How Viruses Multiply

    1.4 The Life Cycle of a Virus

    1.5 How Humans Use Viruses

    2. Examples of Viruses

    2.1 Categories of Viruses

    2.2 Famous Viruses

    2.3 Where Viruses Thrive

    2.4 How Viruses are Transmitted

    3. The War Against Viruses

    3.1 No Cure for a Virus

    3.2 Our Body's Defense Against a Virus

    3.3 What is a Vaccination?

    3.4 Preventative Measures