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2024-2025 Home School Enrichment Workshops

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For small groups of home school students in grades 4 through 11, join fun and educational STEM workshops to enrich your home education. 


Tour Before Registering

 

Check us out before signing up! You want to meet us and see our facilities. We have HOME SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE sessions on weekday mornings. We want you and your child to be comfortable with our facility and enrichment program. Note that we are a maker space for educational workshops, not a school, camp, or daycare.

 

Homeschool Workshops Details

 

+ Students participate in a pre-programmed group activity for a majority of a 4-week session. We try to build in some free time to give students some variety and to work on individual projects. Although workshops are structured instructional time, students arriving earlier or staying later will have unstructured time to socialize, work on projects, play games, watch educational science videos, or just chill out.

+ The programs listed in the 4-week sessions below are suggestions, but the first family or group to register for a session may work with us to create a program for your students. Unless you can fill the session, we would then advertise for additional students until that session is full.

 

+ The lead instructor has been a teacher for 44 years and has taught math, algebra, Latin, English, chemistry, astronomy, earth science, electronics, computer programming, woodworking, graphic design, photography, amateur radio, archery, and orienteering.

+ Most sessions are priced at approximately $20 per hour or $40 per 2-hour block. Members get a price reduction and all membership benefits.

+ Although we generally accept only 4th grade and up, occasionally we accept a 3rd grader if accompanied by an older sibling who is willing to assist the younger one.

 

+ NE SciTech offers snacks and lunch items for purchase separately (most items are $1 to $2 each) or students may bring their own food.  There are refrigerators to keep things cold.

 

+ Parents are welcome to stay during the workshop to assist their own children, or to hang out in another room. WIFI access and coffee, tea, and snacks are available.

 

+ We will try to accommodate parents’ commuting and work schedules for early drop-offs and late pickups.

 

Please be aware of our Cancellation and Refund Policies. For questions, e-mail info@nescitech.org or call 508-720-4179.

In addition to registering for this workshop, please fill out the Workshop Student Permissions Form.

 

Tuesdays 2025

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TUE Jan 7, 14, 21, 28 (Accepting new members. Topics can be changed.)

9:30-11:30 AM

Session 5A: Sci-Fi Literature & Short Stories (gr 4-8)
Session 5A: Conceptual Physics (gr 7-11)

12:30-2:30 PM

Session 5B: Sci-Fi Literature & Short Stories (gr 4-8)
Session 5B: Conceptual Physics (gr 7-11)

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TUE Feb 4, 11, 25, Mar 4 (Skip Feb 18 school break)

9:30-11:30 AM

Session 6A: Inventions in Woodcraft (gr 4-8)

Session 6A: Conceptual Physics (gr 7-11)

12:30-2:30 PM

Session 6B: Inventions in Woodcraft (gr 4-8)

Session 6B: Conceptual Physics (gr 7-11)

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TUE Mar 11, 18, 25, Apr 1 (Topics can be changed to meet group's interests.)

9:30-11:30 AM

Session 7A: Concepts in Chemistry (gr 4-8)

Session 7A: Conceptual Physics (gr 7-11)

12:30-2:30 PM

Session 7B: Concepts in Chemistry (gr 4-8)

Session 7B: Conceptual Physics (gr 7-11)

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– – – – – – – – – – SPRING 2025 – – – – – – – – – –
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TUE Apr 8, 15, 29, May 6 (Skip Apr 22 school break)

9:30-11:30 AM

Session 8A: Rocketry and Woodshop (gr 4-8)
Session 8A: Conceptual Physics (gr 7-11) 

12:30-2:30 PM

Session 8B: Rocketry and Woodshop (gr 4-8)
Session 8B: Conceptual Physics (gr 7-11)

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TUE May 13, 20, 27, June 3 (Topics can be changed to meet group's interests.)

9:30-11:30 AM

Session 9A: DSLR Photography and Archery (gr 4-8) 

Session 9A: Conceptual Physics (gr 7-11)
12:30-2:30 PM

Session 9B: DSLR Photography and Archery (gr 4-8)
Session 9B: Conceptual Physics (gr 7-11)

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Wednesdays 2025

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Home School Workshops - Single Sessions
Bring your group or "pod" to a workshop at NEST. Let us offer a 2-hour enrichment program geared to your group's interests. You may reserve multiple dates. We can do woodworking, Laser engraving, Battlin'bots, space science, planetarium shows, solar telescope, air-powered paper rockets, egg drop, liquid nitrogen cooled superconductors, spectroscopy, Latin, amateur radio, orienteering, and any activities listed on the scouts web page.

Reserve Your Wednesday Workshop
 Jan 15, 9:30-11:30 AM; Jan 22, 9:30-11:30 AM;
 Jan 29, 9:30-11:30 AM; Feb 5, 9:30-11:30 AM;
 Feb 12, 9:30-11:30 AM; Feb 26, 9:30-11:30 AM;
 Mar 5, 9:30-11:30 AM; Mar 12, 9:30-11:30 AM;
 Mar 19, 9:30-11:30 AM; Mar 26, 9:30-11:30 AM;
Apr 2, 9:30-11:30 AM; Apr 9, 9:30-11:30 AM;
Apr 16, 9:30-11:30 AM; Apr 30, 9:30-11:30 AM;
May 7, 9:30-11:30 AM; May 14, 9:30-11:30 AM;
May 21, 9:30-11:30 AM; May 28, 9:30-11:30 AM;
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FRIDAYS 2025

 

WIRELESS ELECTRONICS – Beginners

For Scouts, Home School, or After School students in grades 4-12, this IN-Person wireless electronics course will prepare you to take the Amateur Radio TECHNICIAN license exam.


Eight Fridays, MAR 21 to MAY 16, 2025, 1:00-3:30 PM. EXAM offered on Friday, MAY 23, 2:00 PM.

Eight Fridays, MAR 21 to MAY 15, 2025, 4:00-6:30 PM. EXAM offered on Friday, MAY 23, 5:00 PM.


$400 for non-members, but students and accompanying parents are free.

This course has a very reduced rate for students in high school or younger thanks to a grant. Students who pass the FCC license exam will get a free hand-held amateur radio. See course website.

WIRELESS ELECTRONICS COURSE SYLLABUS

Day 1. FCC Rules & Definitions; practice with radios
Day 2. Radio Wave Characteristics; soldering
Day 3. Electrical Principles; soldering an FM radio
Day 4. Electrical Components & Functions; soldering
Day 5. Modulation & Modes; programming radios
Day 6. Radio Operating Procedures; radio practice
Day 7. Antenna & Feed Lines, Radio Station Setup
Day 8. Equipment & Troubleshooting, Hazards & Safety
Extra day. FCC EXAM, and distribute free radios

Thursdays 2025

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– – – – (4-wk sessions: members $160, non-members $190) – – –
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Jan 9, 16, 23, 30, 2025 (Topics can be changed to meet group's interests.)

9:30-11:30 AM

Session 5D: Sci-Fi Literature & Short Stories (gr 4-8)

Session 5F: Conceptual Physics (gr 8-11)

12:30-2:30 PM

Session 5E: Sci-Fi Literature & Short Stories (gr 4-8)

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Feb 6, 13, 27, Mar 6, 2025 (Skip Feb 18 school break)

9:30-11:30 AM

Session 6D: Inventions in Woodcraft (gr 4-8)

Session 6D: Conceptual Physics (gr 7-11)

12:30-2:30 PM

Session 6E: Inventions in Woodcraft (gr 4-8)

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Mar 13, 20, 27, Apr 3, 2025 (Topics can be changed to meet group's interests.)

9:30-11:30 AM

Session 7D: Concepts in Chemistry (gr 4-8)

Session 7D: Conceptual Physics (grades 7-11)

12:30-2:30 PM

Session 7E: Concepts in Chemistry (gr 4-8)

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– – – – – – – – – – SPRING 2025 – – – – – – – – – –
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Apr 10, 17, May 1, 8, 2025 (Skip Apr 22 school break)

9:30-11:30 AM

Session 8A: Rocketry and Woodshop (gr 4-8)
Session8A: Conceptual Physics (gr 7-11)

12:30-2:30 PM

Session 8C: Rocketry and Woodshop (gr 4-8)

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May 15, 22, 29, June 5, 12, 2025  (Topics can be changed to meet group's interests.)

9:30-11:30 AM

Session 9A: DSLR Photography and Archery (gr 4-8)
Session 9A: Conceptual Physics (gr 7-11)

12:30-2:30 PM

Session 9C: DSLR Photography and Archery (gr 4-8)

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NEW Workshop for Home School Students

Space Science, can be requested Tuesdays or Thursdays, and can span several 4-week sessions. 


Students will explore a variety of topics including planetary geology, chemistry of universal elements, astronomy, and rocketry. Space Science will be fun and educational STEM workshops with group activities, instructional time, planetarium shows, and free time to work on individual projects.


Examples of Topics to Explore:
- Investigating Planetary Geology - examining meteorites, pieces of the moon, mars, and other planets. Understanding the structure of the solar system.
- Working with liquid nitrogen - creating frozen Nitrogen, and learning about the surface of Pluto. 
- Learning the Chemistry of popular elements in our universe using glowing gas tubes and spectroscopes.
- Observing models of the James Web telescope and learning how it works. 
- Experimenting with radio waves, understanding the speed of light and astronomical distances.
- Astronomy - will have opportunity to use telescopes and can plan a night star party field trip to see Jupiter and Saturn. 
- Observe the sun through a hydrogen alpha solar telescope to see hydrogen fusing with helium and learn what fusion is.
- Rocketry - building air-powered paper rockets, launching them outside and learning about propulsion and physics.
- Building models of atoms, learning about covalent and ionic bonds, examining basic molecules.
- Physics of collisions, how to land a rover on Mars, or drop a rover with an egg from 3 stories up and have it survive.
- Astronaut essentials such as what foods they eat, how they sleep, how to brush your teeth in space.
- Exploring time, space, speed of light, black holes, worm holes, time travel, twins paradox, and other out-of-this-world stuff!

LATIN Courses for Home School Students –– Tuesdays, Sundays

Latin Roots (gr 4-8)

TUESDAYS 2:45-3:45 PM - 15 meeting times

Latin Roots - 2:45-3:45 - Jan 7, 14, 21, 28
Latin Roots - 2:45-3:45 - Feb 4, 11, 25, Mar 4
Latin Roots - 2:45-3:45 - Mar 11, 18, 25, Apr 1
Latin Roots - 2:45-3:45 - Apr 8, 15, 29, May 6
Latin Roots - 2:45-3:45 - May 13, 20, 27, June 3

This workshop takes you through the roots of the English language by examining in a fun way many Latin words, derivatives, and phrases in everyday use. Did you know that students of Latin score higher on verbal exams because they know more vocabulary and better understand the structure of language?  Come learn some history, mythology, and culture of ancient Rome along with the root forms of many English vocabulary words. Increase your understanding of grammar and syntax as you have fun with basic Latin. This is a survey course only and will not be sufficient to prepare for the National Latin Exam in March. It is appropriate for anyone in grades 4 through 8 who has not yet studied Latin.

Topics we will cover:

- Roots & Derivations - Latin in everyday English.
- English Grammar - comparison with Latin.
- Geography - the Roman world in classical times.
- History - major cultures, eras, kings, emperors.
- Mythology - deities, monsters, and heroes.
- STEM in Antiquity - science and engineering.
- Roman Life - housing, clothing, family life.
- Latin in Everyday Use - expressions, mottoes.

Beginning Latin for Home School

FRIDAYS (closed until Sept)
9:30-11:30 PM - 20 classes, 40 hours (grd 4-8)

Students of Latin score higher on verbal exams because they know more vocabulary and better understand the structure of language.  Come learn some history and culture of ancient Rome along with the root forms of many English vocabulary words. Increase your understanding of grammar and syntax as you have fun with basic Latin. The course will help prepare you to score high on the National Latin Exam given in March. Appropriate for anyone in grades 4 through 8 who have not yet studied Latin or are beginners.

Reading Classical Latin

FRIDAYS March 14 to June 6, 2025 <-- sign up
9:30-11:30 PM – 12 classes, 24 hours (grd 4-8)

A continuation of the Beginning Classical Latin course, students will now enjoy reading passages from story books and poems. They will learn to analyze unfamiliar material and apply their knowledge of grammar and derivatives to translate short stories. This will reinforce their previous studies, improve their analytical abilities, increase their vocabulary, and further prepare them for the National Latin Exam (NLE) next year. 

Latin I (gr 5-9)

Sundays, Sept 8 to March 23

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM - 20 weeks, 30 hours

Latin II (gr 5-9)

Sundays, Sept 8 to March 23

10:00 AM - 11:30 PM - 20 weeks, 30 hours

Did you know students of Latin score higher on verbal exams because they know more vocabulary and better understand the structure of language? The word “science” comes from “SCIENTIA,” the Latin word for “knowledge.”  This class is appropriate for anyone in grades 5 through 9 who have already studied Introductory Latin and are ready for a full Latin I course.  You will increase your vocabulary and learn some witty classic Latin phrases to try out on your friends. Carpe diem!  The course will help prepare you to score high on the National Latin Exam in March.
TOPIC SUMMARIES FOR GRADES 7-11
These advanced topics can be requested and are offered based on our instructor's availability.  The instructor is a retired college professor.

Chocolate Molding
Prerequisites: None
This class introduces elements of 2D Design and how to turn them into 3D Designs. Computer models of 3D designs are 3D printed and used to produce food-safe silicone molds suitable for molding chocolate or cookies. Software will be installed on student laptops so they can continue working on their designs at home.  Caution: This course could expose students to food allergens, such as dairy, soy, nuts, wheat.

Chocolate Properties
Prerequisites: None, but understanding molds similar to those developed in Chocolate Molding will be helpful.
We will study the many interesting physical and chemical properties of chocolate. Building on information learned from labs, we will study chocolate tempering, and why and how it is done. Students will prepare examples of properly-tempered chocolate and turn them into bonbons.  Caution: This course could expose students to food allergens, such as dairy, soy, nuts, wheat.

Introductory Electronics
Prerequisites: None
This class introduces the key concepts of electronics, including circuits and energy conservation, and it defines the relevant terms and units. Students will study passive and active components and use them to design and build working electronic circuits. This course is an excellent prerequisite for courses that use electronics, such as robotics, and for studying for ham radio licenses.

Arduinos
Prerequisite: Material learned in the Introductory Electronics class
Arduinos are a class of microcomputer that is quite popular in robotics and maker labs. In this class we will study how they work and how to apply them in robots, control systems, and art projects. Software will be installed on student laptops so they can continue working on their projects at home. The skills developed in this course are directly applicable to other common microprocessors, including microBits and Raspberry Pis.

Algebra Concepts
Prerequisites: Elementary mathematical operations including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Algebra is the foundation of mathematics, and the concepts of algebra are used throughout all applications of mathematics.  In this class we will study the key concepts and learn how they are applied throughout all aspects of life in a technologically adept society. This material forms the basis of understanding for other mathematical courses, such as geometry and fractals.

Geometry Concepts
Prerequisites: Material learned in the Algebra Concepts class.
Geometry, and the associated trigonometry, makes the connection between fundamental algebraic concepts and the physical world. It is used to understand location, motion, distance, and path planning. We will study the history and application of geometric concepts and how they are applied to practical problems, including artistic projects.

Fractals
Prerequisite: Material learned in the Geometry Concepts class.
Geometry is built on models that are mathematically easy to manipulate - points, lines, areas.  The real world is much more complex than simple geometric models. In this class we show how geometry is extended to study and produce more complicated models. We will explore applications to mapping, fractures, biological growth, and other systems.

Physics of Light
Prerequisites: material studied in Geometric Concepts
Light is an important concept in physics and is deeply connected in how we perceive, understand, and explain the world. In this course, we will explore the physics of light: how it is produced, how it propagates, and how it is detected. We will experiment with how light bends at boundaries between materials and how this concept is used to design optical systems, such as microscopes and telescopes. We will explore technical and artistic uses of optics, and we will demonstrate that light travels at a very high, but finite, speed, which is very important in physics and astronomy.

Physics of Collisions
Prerequisites: material studied in Geometry Concepts
Collisions were studied extensively over the past few hundred years ago. Concepts that describe collisions, such as velocity, force, momentum, and energy, form the basis of most of our understanding of interactions between objects under conditions that form most of our human experience. We will explore the concepts and use them to understand car safety, sports performance, and space travel.

TOPIC SUMMARIES FOR GRADES 4-8
These basic topics can be requested and are offered in 4-week sessions.

Rocketry
We will explore the hobby of model rocketry while building an Estes model rocket, an air-powered paper rocket that we can launch outside, and experiment with various forms of propulsion.  We will also look at current events in the space industry and long-range plans to put people on the moon and Mars.

DSLR Photography
Students will use digital single lens reflex cameras (DSLR) and learn the basics of classical photography. We will experiment with various types of photography such as portrait, landscape, texture, silhouette, macro, micro, motion panning, abstract, while learning about some of the classical artists in photography. We will learn what makes good composition, how to use f-stops and depth of field, and how to manipulate a photo editor.

Woodworking
Every student should know how to use the basic hand tools of manual arts, such as the hammer, saw, and screwdriver. We will take that further to learn how various types of saws are used depending on the type of material, grain pattern, and what results we want. We will take basic materials and manipulate them to make functional and artistic items.  We will explore different types of wood, where they come from, and what they are used for.

Inventions in Woodcraft
Using the basic hand tools of manual arts, such as the hammer, saw, and drills, we will learn how to manipulate material, grain pattern, and shape to "invent" functional and artistic items.  Students will be challenged to create small projects that can be replicated as kits that other students can build.  We will try to bring out the entrepreneur in every student.

Astronomy/Planetarium
A beginner's guide to the universe will take us from Earth-Moon to the Solar System and to the galaxies. We will use spectroscopes to explore the properties of light for understanding the chemical makeup of the stars and planets and to measure distances in light-years. We will examine various types of meteorites under microscopes, including a lunar meteorite (moon rock).  One sunny day we will use the solar telescope to view the sun in the light of hydrogen fusing into helium. We will use the planetarium to explore the night sky, constellations, and mythology, as well as watch multimedia shows about our place in the universe.

Basic Electronics/Robotics
Using a breadboard kit called Electronics Playground, students will learn basic concepts like inductance, capacitance, resistance, impedance, circuits, voltage, and current. They will learn about Ohm's Law and the Power formula. Then students will learn to use a soldering iron to assemble an electronic gadget. We will also build and experiment with "Battlin'Bots" which is a free-form engineering type of activity.

Literature & Language Arts
This introductory workshop in language arts helps students improve their vocabulary and grammar while having fun tracing the roots of the English language from Indo-European to Latin to Old English to Middle English, to Elizabethan and modern English. Along the way we will explore the influence of some other languages and cultures on our language. We will also explore some historic and classical literature, as well as learn some techniques to put our own ideas to paper, write clearly and confidently, and create our own short stories or essays.

Sci-Fi Literature & Writing Short Stories
This introductory workshop in language arts helps students improve their vocabulary and reading skills with science fiction short stories and the classic novel "A Wrinkle in Time" by Madeleine L'Engle. We will explore story elements such as character, setting, plot, and imagery, as well as learn some techniques to put our own ideas to paper, write clearly and confidently, and create our own short stories or essays.

Concepts in Chemistry
Experiment with basic building blocks of matter in "kitchen chemistry" labs to learn how atoms go together to form molecules. Learn how to read the Periodic Table of the Elements. Explore spectroscopy and the rainbow "fingerprints" of elements. Make slime, snow, caramel, elephant's toothpaste, and more.

Concepts in Architecture
From aesthetics to functionality, architecture speaks to each person differently.  Some like ornate, luxurious buildings, and some like simple, minimalistic structures. We will explore some of the major architectural styles through western history such as Neoclassical, Art Deco, Greek Revival, Gothic, Victorian, as well as experiment with arches, domes, trusses, columns, and other structural components.

Science or Sci-Fi?
Science fiction is only fiction until it's not.  We will explore some of the predictions of the future made by early authors of sci-fi and see what has become fact, what has potential to become real, and what may remain impossible. From air planes to space ships, from herbal remedies to modern medicine, from alchemy to quantum theory, from animatrons to AI supported robotics, humanity is on the verge of major breakthroughs that may change the way we envision our future. We will explore some classic authors like Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, and Arthur C. Clark and explore the current events in science that may change our perception of the world.