If there is a science subject you would like your child or group to study, and it is not listed, explain your interests and your needs. We can create a curriculum together!
Cancellation Policy Update 09/2007: If you have registered by email or telephone with Mrs. Karper for a class, you have until 30 days prior to the start date of your class to cancel without a penalty. Late cancellation (less than 30 days) will result in a $15.00 fee payable to Oregon Education Alternatives, Kimberly Karper. There will be no refunds of tuition fees after the start date of each class.
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Class List by Subject Area
Biology:
*The Incredible Human Body: This high interest course is designed to provide your child with an introduction to God's most amazing creation, the human body! We will learn about how our bodies are organized and discover how the body systems work together to keep us alive. We will focus, in depth, on the workings of our skeletal and cardiovascular systems. A fun, hands-on heart dissection is included (optional)! **
*Explore Your World! Marine Biology: In this high interest class, students examine the diverse environments of our oceans. Microscopes are used to observe marine plankton samples. Children dissect a squid, learn to eat, talk and stay warm like a marine mammal, and study vertebrate morphology by creating fish prints. *Field trip to Newport. **
*The Science of Creation: Science and Christianity were designed to go hand-in-hand. Science of Creation is a class I feel God placed upon my heart to create and teach. In this bible centric-science based course, we examine each day of God's creation in Genesis. Students explore the astronomy, geology, and biology of His work. This is a great course filled with thought provoking activities and experiments.**
*Splish-Splash! The Science of Salmon: This fun-filled class looks at the biology of the salmon. We study fish morphology, migrations and life cycles. The importance of these organisms to Native American cultures is examined. Children learn about and write their own folk tales involving Pacific Northwest animals. *Field Trip to Eagle Creek. **
*Pacific Northwest Wildlife: In this exciting course we will be learning about the plants and animals that are native to the Pacific NW. We will spend time in class learning about the native wildlife and then focus in on two natural habitats. Students will learn how to use identification keys and how to identify bird and mammal tracks int he field. *Field trip to nature preserve and local wetland area. **
*Cells- God's Amazing Building Blocks: This class is based on traditional cell exploratory experiments and hands-on activities. Using compound microscopes, students compare and contrast plant and animal cells, learn the functions of various cell organelles and discuss how cells act as the building blocks of all life on earth. We build our own edible cell model (Yumm! We will eat this in class!) to learn about cell parts. **
*Fascinating 2 Liter Bottle Ecology! In this ecology class, kids build special ecosystems with 2 liter bottles. We discuss ecology from a "microbiome" standpoint. We will research desert, rainforest, tundra and fresh water environments. The class focuses on the interactions between plants and animals in each biome. It is really neat!! **
Chemistry:
*Kid's Kitchen Chemistry: Learn the basics of chemistry using everyday kitchen supplies! Atoms, molecules, solutions and phase change are studied. We will conduct a series of fun and safe chemical reactions. Most experiments are edible in this exciting class.**
*Acids and Bases: Kids learn about acids and bases in this course. We cook up our own purple cabbage juice indicator solutions, and do fun color change experiments to test the acid/base characteristics of common household substances. Children practice their observation and science methodology skills by conducting experiments of their own design. **
*Science Inquiry- The Chemistry of Bubbles: Bubbles Bubbles Everywhere! This messy but educational class focuses on using our senses and minds to solve scientific questions. Children explore the steps of the scientific process through chemistry experiments with bubbles. Kids learn to ask testable science questions, design their own experiments and analyze the results of their laboratory investigations.**
*Crazy Crime Scene Investigations: Act like your favorite crime scene investigator, as we use chemistry to solve imaginary crimes. This course is filled with activities and experiments to pique your child’s interest in the chemical sciences. *Field trip to the local police station **
*Gooey, Slippery, Slimy Chemistry!: In this hands-on course, we will be learning elementary chemistry using everyday materials. Children will gain valuable knowledge and experience in basic laboratory skills and lab safety. Using surprising experiments called "zingers", we explore chemical reactions and properties of matter. We will play (VERY safely!) with water, dry ice and some other astonishing substances!
Physical Science
* I can't believe my eyes! The Science of Optical Illusions: In this thrilling class, we will explore the physics of optical illusions and discover how they are interpreted by our eyes and brain. We will uncover the mysteries of eye anatomy by completing an eye dissection (optional) . This activity teaches us about the inner structures of our eyes and how they work. With slight of hand and eye popping pictures, this hands-on class explores and questions what we see and how we perceive the world around us.
*Up...Up and Away! The Physics of Rockets: It's not rocket science... or is it? Using matchbox cars, ramps and hand made mini rockets, students (play!) learn about Newton's Laws of Motion. Kids will explore basic Newtonian physics and rocketry by doing activities, experiments and easy math calculations. The class culminates with each child building and launching their own model bottle rocket. **
* Funtastic Forces and Motion!: This experiment based course is all about play and fun. Learn about an essential force in physics called "motion". We will discover the meaning of motion by observing different toys in action. We will do experiments involving speed, velocity, momentum & acceleration. We will also discover the main force which opposes motion called friction.
*It's Shocking! The Physics of Electricity: Learn about the exciting science of electricity! Create and experiment with your own in-parallel and in-series circuits. Kids learn about static electricity through many hair-raising activities! **
*The Physics of Simple Machines: Does your child love to build things and figure out how they work? In this hands-on physics course, we will be learning basic concepts of mechanics and physics by focusing on simple machines. Children will build and use simple machines of their own design! We learn the physics behind the devises and how they work.
*The Fantastic World of Flight!: Airplanes, hot air balloons, and gliders... OH MY! In this fun-packed physics class, we discuss flight in detail. Bernoulli's principle is explored as we learn what it takes to defy gravity and fly! We will be building several devices capable of flight and learn about this exciting physical science.
Earth Science
*Rockin' Rocks and Minerals: This fun-filled class looks at the properties of rocks and minerals. Kids learn to identify minerals using a series of experiments to determine mineral characteristics. Rocks are studied using the rock cycle and a wide range of rock samples. *Field Trip to the Rocks and Minerals Museum.**
*Shake- Rattle and Roll! Earthquakes and Volcanoes: Kaboom! The dynamic nature of our planet’s surface is ever changing. In this class, kids will dive into the exciting world of volcanism by learning about earthquakes and how volcanoes are created. Students do experiments that simulate lava flow and eruptions. Could a catastrophic earthquake or volcanic episode ever happen in Oregon? Find out! *Field Trip to Ape Caves, Mt. St. Helens. **
*Amazing Astronomy!- Explore the mysterious phases of the moon. Reach out and touch our solar system with hands-on activities and experiments. Learn about the stars and galaxies! In this high interest class, students discover God's amazing creation through the study of astronomy.
* Exploring Planet Earth: Atmosphere, Oceans, Continents and water. What makes the planet earth special? Find out in this class- geared toward discovering and exploring the planet God created for us.
*Wacky Weather: Weather is all around us. Each day, the weather shapes our planet and our lives. In this class we do a series of experiments which help us to understand more about "weather". We will discuss air pressure, winds, moisture and weather patterns. We will also investigate severe weather phenomenon and what shapes the climates that we live in.
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Summer Camps
Oregon Education Alternatives offers a variety of field summer camps. Camps are either half or full day programs and vary in length from three to five days. We focus on getting out in nature to experience the biological and geological sciences first hand. Oregon is a beautiful state, rich in animal and plant diversity. Sign up for a summer camp program and explore your world!
Please contact or email Kimberly Karper for class prices, times and locations.
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Tutoring
If you would prefer one-on-one time with a certified instructor, a tutor will come to your home. Tutors can help with classes your child is currently taking or design curriculum to meet your specific needs.
The following areas are available for tutoring support:
*Reading
*Writing
*Organization Skills
*Biology
*Chemistry
*Basic Physics
*Earth Science
*Botany
*Inorganic and Organic Chemistry
*Basic math through Algebra
"Ever since grade school, I have had trouble reading and speaking in front of a group of people. Mrs. Karper and I have been working on those issues and my organization skills. She has been my tutor for three years now. She has helped me overcome my fear of speaking in public and reading out loud."
Ali E.- 17 year old girl
