If we die, we want people to accept it. We're in a risky business, and we hope that if anything happens to us it will not delay the program. The conquest of space is worth the risk of life.
--Gus Grissom (Apollo 1, 27 January, 1967)
I touch the future. I teach.
--Christa McCauliffe (Challenger, 28 January, 1986)
I was not born for one corner, the whole universe is my native land.
--Kalpana Chawla (Columbia, 1 February 2003)
There is no sea unnavigable, and no land uninhabitable.
-- Richard Hakluyt to Henry VIII of England on crossing the Indian Ocean, 1540
Welcome to my home page!
Since 1996, I've taught courses using web lectures, interactive quizzes, and live chat over the internet to junior high and high school home schoolers, their parents, and others seeking a solid foundation in the sciences as preparation for whatever ministry God calls them to perform in His world. At the moment, I'm rather busy improving the Scholars Online website, so this particular page is somewhat minimal. I plan to grow it over the coming months. In the meantime, I recommend that you explore the rest of the Scholars Online site using the links at the left, and especially encourage you to visit the science page, which lists the courses we will be offering this summer and during the academic year, as well as links to frequently asked questions about our science sequence, and our approach to teaching science.
Introduction to Programing using SCRATCH
An introduction to programming using the SCRATCH animation programming platform developed at MIT to present basic concepts such as command sequence, if-then-else control, user and event triggered actions, and communication between threaded processes — although we don't call it that: here we call it broadcasting messages to sprites!
Introduction to Biology
An introduction to fundamental concepts of biology and its experimental procedures. Geared to the student new to high school science, this course also discusses scientific methodology, mathematical applications, and study skills needed to survive Honors or AP Biology.
Introduction to Chemistry
An introduction to fundamental concepts of chemistry and its experimental procedures, using the 1861 Faraday Christmas Lectures on The Chemical History of the Candle as a springboard for discussions of matter, elements, energy, gases, electrolysis, and heat. Students must complete a basic set of experiments, but advanced students planning to take AP Chemistry in the fall may complete experiments designed to fulfill AP requirements.
Introduction to Chemistry
An introduction to fundamental concepts of physics and its experimental procedures, using the 1859 Faraday Christmas Lectures on The Forces of Matter as a springboard for discussions of gravity, adhesion and cohesion, electricity and magnetism. Students may opt to complete a basic set of experiments, but advanced students planning to take AP Chemistry in the fall may complete experiments designed to fulfill AP requirements.
Academic Year Current Course Descriptions
You can also go directly to the course description pages for my current academic year courses at Scholars Online.
Natural Science I and Natural Science II
This two-year course presents an overview of modern scientific theories from their historical perspective, and emphasizes the discover of scientific knowledge and the formulation of theories as part of the complex human experience.
A rare chance for high school students to take an introductory course in astronomy, this class is especially suited for students have already completed biology, but whose math skills may not yet be up to the challenge of intensive chemistry and physics, or as a special senior year course for students who have completed biology, chemistry, and physics already, and wish to apply their knowledge of basic principles to the whole universe.
An intensive introduction to microbiology, heredity, genetics, evolution, the diversity of species, human anatomy and physiology, plant anatomy and physiology, and ecology, with optional additional instruction available for students attempting the Advanced Placement examination. Course syllabus has been certified as meeting AP standards.
TAn intensive introduction to atomic structure, molecular bonding, electron configurations, thermodynamics, and reactivity, with special emphasis on equilibrium situations. Course syllabus has been certified as meeting AP standards..
AP Physics 1&2 Combination
An intensive introduction to Newtonian mechanics, statics, thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, light and optics, relativity, quantum mechanics, and nuclear physics, combining Physics 1 and Physics 2 into a single year for advanced students. Course syllabus has been certified as meeting AP standards.
mycroft's view of science (he's still learning: this diagram will grow and change!)
Our site is still growing. If you can't find information that you need, please email us using the link below.