Science & Technology Class Descriptions

Students will learn to think like inventors and designers when creating 3D! 3D design is used not only for modeling and fabricating objects but is also at the heart of many cutting-edge technologies such as AR and VR, video game design, interactive exhibits, and more. 3D printing is used in nearly all industries and design fields today from art to animation, manufacturing to medicine, and engineering to entertainment.
In this class, students will first learn to use Tinkercard, a 3D modeling software that works in solid forms (like LEGO bricks). Then, students will transition to MeshMixer, a software that creates smooth, curved, organic shapes (like clay). They will learn to think about their design from all angles and how to subtract forms to create holes, voids, and concave features, and add forms to create projections, contours, appendages, and convex details. They will discover the limitations of 3D printing and how to handle overhanging elements or delicate details.

Students will practice the artistic design process with simple sketches before diving into the software. They will be encouraged to use reference material, whether photos, a model, or even by modifying existing, public domain 3D files. Students will use an iterative printing process in which they print their project, check it for design intent, functionality, or fit, make modifications, and print again. The class will learn how to save and convert between 3D solid object files (.stl) and object files (.obj) and work with metadata fields to protect the intellectual property of their designs.

To demonstrate the range and capability of 3D-printed designs, favorite student projects include D & D miniatures, cosplay props, Minecraft-designed creations, and beloved characters such as anime, baby Yoda, and Pokemon creatures.

Second semester, continuing students will progress to more complex assemblies including multiple parts and parts with hinges. Second semester, some students may wish to work with alternative filaments such as TPU (rubber), metal, or magnetized filament. Because of the studio format, new students can enroll second semester.

The class instructor is a design engineer with 3D Herndon and expert in 3D technologies and other areas of design and invention. A typical class will be structured with 5-10 minutes of lecture or demonstration of a new design skill, followed by 40 minutes of design "studio" time where students can receive trouble-shooting support and design tips from the instructor and have dedicated work time, and 5-10 minutes of sharing time at the end of class. As a studio class, students will work on individual projects at their own pace.
Topics in this Series: As an open studio for individual projects, students may continue from one semester to the next or enroll mid-year. Students continuing from first semester receive priority pre-registration for second semester.

Prerequisites: None

What to Bring: Students will need to bring a laptop to class for design work.

Workload: Students should expect to spend 0-1+ hours per week outside of class.

Assignments: Project criteria will be explained in class to students.

Assessments: Informal, qualitative feedback will be given in class throughout the semester as the student works.

Lab/Supply Fee: A class fee of $25.00 is due payable to Compass on the first day of class for 3D printing and filament. This provides the student with 800 g of printed product per semester. Students who are prolific designers and print often will be asked to pay an additional $5.00 per 100 g or fraction thereof.

Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a component (partial) credit in Visual Arts, Technology, or Career Exploration for purposes of a high school transcript.

Students will learn to think like inventors and designers when creating 3D! 3D design is used not only for modeling and fabricating objects but is also at the heart of many cutting-edge technologies such as AR and VR, video game design, interactive exhibits, and more. 3D printing is used in nearly all industries and design fields today from art to animation, manufacturing to medicine, and engineering to entertainment.
In this class, students will first learn to use Tinkercard, a 3D modeling software that works in solid forms (like LEGO bricks). Then, students will transition to MeshMixer, a software that creates smooth, curved, organic shapes (like clay). They will learn to think about their design from all angles and how to subtract forms to create holes, voids, and concave features, and add forms to create projections, contours, appendages, and convex details. They will discover the limitations of 3D printing and how to handle overhanging elements or delicate details.

Students will practice the artistic design process with simple sketches before diving into the software. They will be encouraged to use reference material, whether photos, a model, or even by modifying existing, public domain 3D files. Students will use an iterative printing process in which they print their project, check it for design intent, functionality, or fit, make modifications, and print again. The class will learn how to save and convert between 3D solid object files (.stl) and object files (.obj) and work with metadata fields to protect the intellectual property of their designs.

To demonstrate the range and capability of 3D-printed designs, favorite student projects include D & D miniatures, cosplay props, Minecraft-designed creations, and beloved characters such as anime, baby Yoda, and Pokemon creatures.

Second semester, continuing students will progress to more complex assemblies including multiple parts and parts with hinges. Second semester, some students may wish to work with alternative filaments such as TPU (rubber), metal, or magnetized filament. Because of the studio format, new students can enroll second semester.

The class instructor is a design engineer with 3D Herndon and expert in 3D technologies and other areas of design and invention. A typical class will be structured with 5-10 minutes of lecture or demonstration of a new design skill, followed by 40 minutes of design "studio" time where students can receive trouble-shooting support and design tips from the instructor and have dedicated work time, and 5-10 minutes of sharing time at the end of class. As a studio class, students will work on individual projects at their own pace.

Topics in this Series: As an open studio for individual projects, students may continue from one semester to the next or enroll mid-year. Students continuing from first semester receive priority pre-registration for second semester.

Lab/Supply Fee: A class fee of $25.00 is due payable to Compass on the first day of class for 3D printing and filament. This provides the student with 800 g of printed product per semester. Students who are prolific designers and print often will be asked to pay an additional $5.00 per 100 g or fraction thereof.

In this fun, hands on class, students are introduced to the world of artificial intelligence through games, challenges, and creative activities. They will explore where AI shows up in their everyday lives, learn how it works in simple terms, and begin to understand the difference between human thinking and computer responses.

How can you use AI safely, and what should you do when something doesn't seem right? Third quarter, students become AI Safety Superheroes as they learn how to use technology responsibly. Through role-play scenarios, fact-check races, and safety challenge cards, students will practice making smart choices when using AI tools. They will learn to spot mistakes, question information, and decide what to trust using fun games and decision-making challenges.

This class is designed to spark curiosity and teach how to use these tools safely and responsibly. Technology access in this class is instructor-led demonstrations with classroom projections, supported by small group stations with one laptops per 2 to 3 students.

Topics in this series include: How It Works (Quarter 1), Ask Clever Questions (Quarter 2), Real or Fake? (Quarter 3) and Build & Create (Quarter 4)

In this course, middle schoolers will expand their understanding of how AI works and begin to evaluate its role in the real world. They will explore core concepts behind AI systems, improve their ability to communicate with AI tools, and examine important topics such as fairness, bias, and ethical use.

Is AI always fair, and who decides? Third quarter, students will explore how bias can appear in AI systems and what it means for technology to be ethical. They will examine real-world examples, analyze how data and design choices can influence outcomes, and evaluate whether results are fair or flawed. Through bias simulations, structured debates, and a debate tournament, students will defend their positions using evidence and reasoning.

Technology access in this class will include both instructor-led demonstrations with classroom projections, and hands-on individual laptop use with safety constraints and limited distractions.

Topics in this series include: Inside the System (Quarter 1), Ask, Refine, Realize (Quarter 2), Truth or Manipulated? (Quarter 3), and Build for Impact (Quarter 4).

This class moves students beyond basic understanding and into actively using AI as a tool for learning, problem-solving, and creativity. Students will explore how AI systems work, practice writing more precise prompts to improve results, and learn to identify errors and bias in AI responses. Through hands-on activities, students will strengthen their critical thinking while gaining practical experience.

Can you tell when AI gets it wrong or when it might be unfair? In this quarter, students sharpen their critical thinking as they learn to spot mistakes and recognize bias in AI responses. Through activities like real vs. AI detection challenges, bias games, fact-check competitions, and an AI vs. Human challenge day, students will test what they see and question what they read. They will learn that AI is a powerful tool- but not always a perfect one- and build the skills to evaluate information carefully and make thoughtful, informed decisions.

The focus is on helping students become thoughtful, confident users who can direct and evaluate AI effectively, rather than simply relying on it. Technology access in this class is instructor-led demonstrations with classroom projections, supported by small group stations with one laptops per 2 to 3 students.

Topics in this series include: How It's Built (Quarter 1), Ask Perfect Prompts (Quarter 2), Fair or Flawed (Quarter 3), and Real-World Solitions (Quarter 4).

Did you know that our Sun is a yellow dwarf star residing in a spiral galaxy, the Milky Way? Our nearest neighbor, Proxima Centauri, a red dwarf star, is a mere 25 trillion miles away...but in our same galaxy! Kids who love astronomy and other sciences are invited to learn about stars, galaxies, and the cosmos in this beginning astronomy class.

Join us as we examine the lifecycle of stars and discuss what stars are made of. The class will learn how we observe the universe (telescopes, particle detectors, etc) and make these "astronomical" measurements of time and distance. And finally, the class will examine the phenomenon of black holes. This class will use some NASA projects for educators in their investigation.

Future themes in this series include: Inner Solar System (Quarter 1); Outer Solar System (Quarter 2); Stars, Galaxies, and the Cosmos (Quarter 3); and Exoplanets and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life (Quarter 4).

More than 70% of the Earth's surface is water! Understanding the planet's oceans and freshwater systems is critical to understanding life on our planet- from beginnings in the seas to the water cycle that supports ongoing life. The study of aquatic and marine biology provides a basis for understanding much of the chemistry, physics, biology, and meteorology on our planet. Budding marine biologists will travel inland to learn about freshwater systems like lakes and ponds, rivers and streams before returning to the coast to study marshes and estuaries followed by extreme marine environments. The focus will be on hands-on, dynamic learning, and students will engage in several demonstrations and experiments in each class.

Third quarter, students will focus on the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of estuarine systems. The class will learn about salinity gradients, nutrient cycling, and biological communities in temperate estuaries and tropical mangrove swamps. Students will study the amazing adaptations that allow plants and animals in these habitats to tolerate rapid changes in temperature and salinity. The group will also discuss human impacts to estuarine habitats, including habitat loss, water diversion, and eutrophication.

Topics in this Series: Lakes and Ponds (Quarter 1); Rivers and Streams (Quarter 2); Marshes and Estuaries (Quarter 3); and Extreme Marine (Quarter 4). Lab/Supply Fee: A class fee of $20.00 is due payable to the instructor on/before the first day of class.

Did you know that a single image from the James Webb Space Telescope can contain thousands of galaxies, each with billions of stars, and that some of that light has traveled for over 13 billion years to reach us? Or that scientists can detect distant planets by measuring a tiny flicker of starlight? Space is vast, dynamic, and measurable. In this course, students will explore the universe from our solar system to deep space, using the tools and methods of modern astronomers. Through hands-on investigations, models, and simulations, students will discover how we know what we know about a universe we cannot touch and begin to think like scientists exploring the final frontier.

Second semester expands outward into the deep universe, focusing on the life cycles of stars, the structure of galaxies, and the groundbreaking discoveries made possible by the James Webb Space Telescope. Students will begin by studying light- the key to understanding the universe- through hands-on exploration of the electromagnetic spectrum and spectroscopy, learning how scientists determine the composition and motion of distant objects. They will trace the birth, life, and death of stars, model stellar evolution, and explore dramatic phenomena such as supernovae and black holes. Students will then investigate galaxies, cosmic expansion, and the evidence for redshift, dark matter, and dark energy through interactive demonstrations and simulations. Using real JWST images, students will analyze some of the earliest galaxies ever observed and consider what they reveal about the origins of the universe. The semester concludes with a "Cosmic Mystery" project and discussions of future space exploration, connecting classroom learning to the next generation of scientific discovery.

Bee-come a beginner beekeeper! This series introduces students to the fascinating world of honeybees, exploring their behavior, life cycle, and vital role in our ecosystem. Students will discover how a hive functions as a highly organized community and learn about the remarkable process by which bees transform nectar into honey, a natural sweetener prized for thousands of years.

Third quarter, learn about honey harvesting, what makes some honey dark and other honey light, how to make amazing things with honey byproducts such as beeswax, and how to measure the quality of honey. Students will peer into an exciting refractometer to measure the moisture content of honey. They'll get hands-on with Jack's honey scale to grade honey color. Finally, they'll assume the roles of imaginary judges at a state or county fair, tasting and scoring honey on score sheets and naming the blue ribbon winner just like in real life!

Note: Since beekeeping can be a family affair, this is a family style class. Students of all ages and parents may enroll. Children under age 8 must have a parent registered with them.

Topics in this series: Dive Into the Hive (Quarter 1), Busy as a Bee (Quarter 2), Hello Honey (Quarter 3), and Sweet as Honey (Quarter 4).

Can your child sit in a circle for story time? Line up for lunch? Take turns talking? This one-day, 3-hour (half-day) program is a "taste" of kindergarten for 5- year-olds. Start your child's week off right with "Mornings with Miss M" at Compass Kindergarten. Children will work in a small group with an experienced early elementary educator for this dynamic, play-based program that offers regular interaction and socialization.

This fun, activity-based program will create rhythm and routine in a homeschooled kindergartner's week and give them a sense of community and a peer group. Children will practice routines and transitions as they move through the morning. Each session will include some simple structure such as a daily arrival song/greeting, circle time, story, snack time, activity, lunch, active game, and closing/goodbyes. Through games and activities, they will also practice key childhood social skills such as sharing, taking turns, and entering play with others. Academic basics such as the ABCs, days of the week, colors, shapes, and number sense will be integrated into activities involving fairy tales, nature and art. The teacher will provide ideas for parents to work on at home with their child during the week.

Compass Kindergarten is offered in three weekly sessions: Monday, Wednesday, or Friday. Registration is stand-alone for each day so parents can register for one, two, or all three. While each kindergarten class will give children the opportunities for learning and playing in a social environment along with classroom routines, each of the three days will focus on a particular area of study and discovery of how each is connected.

On Fridays, the focus will be on science and exploration of the natural world through stories, crafts, and observations both inside and outside the classroom. Themes include seasons, weather, local animals, and the five senses. As a bonus, Compass kindergarten students assist in carring for the Compass lab animals (1 gecko, 3 bearded dragnons, 1 fire-bellied toad, and 1 rat.)

Readiness: Students must be age five (5) by the start of the program or have the teacher's approval for younger. To be successful in this program, entering kindergartners must be able to do the following preschool-level skills: (1) be able to separate from parents with little discomfort; (2) be able to sit and listen to a story or stay on a task for 10 minutes; (3) be able to follow simple, age-appropriate directions from the teacher or another adult; (4) be able to write and recognize his/her first name; (5) be able to hold and use crayons and scissors correctly; (6) be completely self sufficient in a public restroom (wiping, flushing, washing hands, etc.)

Other Notes: Children should bring a bagged lunch and water bottle to each session. There is a $50.00 material fee for class consumables due payable to the teacher on the first day of class.

Parents can choose to drop children off for this program (different than Compass's school-year policies for 55 minute classes.)

Registration for this program is by 16-week semester.

Parents who are shopping around or applying to alternate kindergarten programs should review the Compass withdrawal policy.

Rovers roam, rockets rise, and researchers reveal remarkable results. Viral videos and bold breakthroughs flood the feed, but what is solid science and what is sensational spin? In this class, students become critics and commentators on science in the news. Each week, they will examine recent discoveries, products, and claims drawn from headlines and social media, digging into the science behind the stories. Is a breakthrough truly groundbreaking, or just overhyped? Who is behind the research- a reputable institution or a questionable source? And what real impact might these ideas have?

From AI-guided Mars rovers to scientists tackling microplastics and next-generation energy, students will investigate fascinating topics while learning to evaluate the strength of scientific evidence. They will consider testing methods, sample sizes, and sources in order to separate solid science from speculation and become thoughtful consumers of scientific information.

This class is especially well suited for students who enjoy reading, discussion, and current events, including those who may not be drawn to traditional lab-based science classes. It also offers a valuable perspective for science-minded students who want to engage more deeply with real-world applications of science. Students should be reading at or above grade level and can expect to spend 30 minutes to one hour each week engaging with assigned articles or videos.

Topics: This is a quarter-long class that examines new claims and scientific announcements in the news. Each quarter is unique, and students can take all four (4) quarters with no repeated information.

Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a partial credit in science for purposes of a high school transcript.

Engineering is the discipline of turning ideas into reality- using mathematics, science, and creativity to design solutions that shape the world around us. From bridges and buildings to medical devices, renewable energy systems, and cutting-edge technology, engineers work across an extraordinary range of fields. The demand for these skills is strong and growing especially in areas like software development, data science, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing. This course introduces students to the mindset and methods of engineers- problem solving, design thinking, collaboration, and innovation- while exploring the wide variety of pathways available in this dynamic and high-impact field.

The second semester, Innovation and Implementation, shifts from foundational knowledge to the execution of engineering ideas. Students will engage in a long-form, project-based experience that emphasizes prototyping, iteration, and the real-world constraints engineers face when bringing ideas to life. Beginning with ideation and human-centered design, students will learn to generate innovative solutions grounded in the needs of real users. They will explore materials science, compare prototyping methods, and use tools such as Computer-Aided Design (CAD) to develop and refine their concepts. Throughout the semester, students will design, build, test, and improve a capstone project, documenting failures, analyzing data, and optimizing their designs for performance, efficiency, and practicality. Case studies will highlight the importance of communication and ethics in engineering, while discussions of manufacturing will connect individual prototypes to large-scale production. This highly hands-on semester culminates in an Engineering Showcase, where students present their innovative solutions, demonstrating both technical skill and the ability to think creatively, iterate thoughtfully, and solve meaningful problems.

Prerequisites:Completion of Algebra I

Workload: Students should expect to spend 1-2 hours per week outside of class reading and completing projects.

Assignments: All assignments and readings will be posted on password-protected Canvas classroom management site.

Assessments:Completed assignments, projects, and participation will be assessed points. Parents can calculate a letter grade using the student's points earned divided by points available. Parents may view all scoring and comments at any time through the Canvas site.

Lab/Supply Fee: A lab fee of $25.00 is due payable to the instructor on or before the first day of class.

What to Bring: Paper or notebook, pen or pencil, and laptop when requested.

Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count both semesters of this course as a half credit in science or a career exploration election.

Building on foundational skills, this course moves into the clinical side of veterinary medicine, where students learn how to recognize, assess, and respond to illness and injury in animals. Students explore how veterinary teams diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions using observation, testing, and critical thinking.

Topics include common diseases and parasites, wound care, infection control, and emergency response. Students are introduced to diagnostic tools such as lab work, imaging, and patient history, and learn how veterinary technicians assist with procedures, administer medications, and support recovery.

Through case studies and real-world scenarios, students practice problem-solving and clinical reasoning while gaining insight into the fast-paced environment of veterinary care. This course is ideal for students considering careers in veterinary medicine, animal science, or related health fields.

Textbook/Materials: A community college-level textbook will be selected and identified by August 1

Workload:Students should anticipate 1 to 2 hours of homework each week.

What to Bring: Paper or notebook; pen or pencil; assigned chapter.

Lab Fee:There is a $40.00 labe fee due payable to the instructor on/before the first day of class.

Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a component (partial) credit in Career Exploration/Elective/Science for purposes of a high school transcript. (Full credit for both semesters.)

LEGO Robotics Challenge League is a dynamic, semester-long team experience where students dive into real FIRST LEGO League (FLL)- style challenges in a high-energy, collaborative environment. Students work in teams to design, build, and program robots while tackling a complete FLL challenge from a previous season. This league format gives students the opportunity to experience the full scope of FLL without the intense 6- 10+ hour weekly commitment of official competition teams.

Participants are divided into smaller teams that compete in exciting in-house robotics challenges, testing their designs, strategies, and coding skills against one another. Along the way, students develop critical 21st-century skills in engineering, programming, problem-solving, and teamwork. As teams iterate, test, and refine their robots, they build confidence, strengthen communication skills, and experience the thrill of competition in a supportive, engaging setting.

Throughout the semester, students will complete a full FLL challenge, including the Robot Game and elements of the Innovation Project. They will gain hands-on experience with LEGO Spike Prime components and use drag-and-drop coding to program autonomous robots. No prior robotics or programming experience is required, though familiarity with LEGO Technic components (gears, beams, and axles) is helpful.

FIRST LEGO League (FLL) is a globally recognized robotics program that combines engineering, research, and teamwork. Each year's theme challenges students to develop innovative solutions to real-world problems in areas such as the environment, transportation, accessibility, and exploration. In addition to the Robot Game, students engage in brainstorming, research, and design while practicing the engineering design process: build, test, refine, and improve.

At its core, LEGO Robotics Challenge League emphasizes both competition and collaboration. Students encourage and support one another while striving to improve their designs and performance. Inspired by FLL's Core Values- discovery, innovation, impact, inclusion, teamwork, and fun- this program fosters both technical skill and character development. While teams compete in-house throughout the semester, this league focuses on growth, creativity, and the excitement of engineering in action rather than participation in regional competitions.

Natural Leaders is an outdoor education and leadership program. Each week, the group will venture into the woods surrounding Lake Fairfax for an authentic, immersive adventure featuring hiking, outdoor skills, leadership, and camaraderie. At each meeting, students take turns in different roles that are key to the group's success, safety, and fun such as: coordinator (plan out the group's schedule for the day); navigator (following the map, practice orienteering); naturalist (investigate and present a lesson about local plants, animals or ecology); skills coaches (research, practice, and demonstrate a skill to others, such as knot tying or whittling); game master (plan and teach an group game or challenge); and safety officer (present on a safety or first aid topic) They will also learn survival skills such as fire-building, outdoor edibles, building shelters, use of knives, and safety/first aid.

The student-led portions of the program promote group cohesion, cooperation, and friendship, while students benefit from the positive peer pressure to come prepared for their weekly roles and responsibilities. Tweens and teens will also become more confident and comfortable as leaders and outdoor adventurers as their self-reliance skills grow. Natural Leaders is supervised by an experienced Natural Leaders mentor, trained and supported in providing a positive experience and managing safety. They typically have a passion for sharing nature with kids, and may have a background in a range of skills such as wilderness first aid, survival skills, tracking, primitive skills, and experience in hiking, camping, rock climbing, water sports, etc. Natural Leaders meets weekly rain, snow, or shine, in all temperatures. Students should always dress is layers for the forecasted weather conditions. Registered students will receive more detailed instructions about what to wear, what to bring, and where to meet prior to the start of the program.

Do you want to learn the world's fastest growing programming language that is used by Google, NASA, YouTube and the CIA? Python is a versatile, easy-to-learn beginner-level programming language and gateway to foundational concepts in computer science.

Second semester, students transition from writing simple scripts to building more complex, data-driven software using professional tools and workflows. Students begin by learning version control with Git and GitHub, establishing habits used by real-world developers. They will then explore core data structures, including lists and dictionaries, and learn how to store, organize, and manipulate collections of data. As their programs grow in complexity, students will practice iterating through data, handling errors with try/except blocks, and working with nested structures to model real-world systems. Instruction will also introduce function scope, modules and libraries, and file input/output, allowing students to create programs that are modular, reusable, and capable of saving data. Emphasis is placed on algorithmic thinking, including basic searching techniques, as well as ethical coding practices and proper attribution of sources.

This is a highly hands-on semester, with projects such as list makers, dice roller, digital dictionary, password generators, and interactive graphics programs. The course culminates in a midterm data management project and a final project in which students design and code a mini-game like Hangman or Wordle, demonstrating their ability to structure, organize, and implement code like a developing software engineer.

Prerequisites:Completion of Algebra I

Workload: Students should expect to spend 1-2 hours per week outside of class reading and completing projects.

Assignments: All assignments and readings will be posted on password-protected Canvas classroom management site.

Assessments:Completed assignments, projects, and participation will be assessed points. Parents can calculate a letter grade using the student's points earned divided by points available. Parents may view all scoring and comments at any time through the Canvas site.

What to Bring: Paper or notebook, pen or pencil, and laptop.

Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count both semesters of this course as a half credit in technology or a career exploration election.