Quarter(s): 4

Day(s): Wed

Open Spots: 0

Students will engage in a hands-on 3D battle strategy game using the military dioramas that they make! In the aftermath of Germany's failed summer offensive on the Eastern Front, all that remained was for the newly bolstered Allied powers to launch their own attack to end the First World War. This offensive was enabled by the torrent of American reinforcements that had arrived in Europe. Backed with airpower, tanks, and fresh troops, the Allies would not only retake all the ground Germany had won in their last gasp attack the previous summer but also break the German war machine and push through the Hindenburg line into Germany itself, finally ending the war.

Using artistic model-making techniques, hand tools, and historical maps, students will each form a 10" X 14" shaped, foam diorama with landscape elements (hills, trenches, rivers, ridges, vegetation, barbed wire, etc.) to represent a scene of a famous historical engagement. Students will each receive 1:72 scale miniature soldiers to populate their scene. Once individual projects are constructed, students will combine their dioramas alongside those of their classmates to approximate the larger battlefield terrain. Students will spend the remainder of the quarter learning about the tactics and outcomes of the military engagement while playing a table-top strategy game. Student strategists will use a simplified version of the Fire and Fury historical wargaming rule system for moving troops and equipment. Along with their classmates, students will see how this battle progressed and test different outcome scenarios that might have occurred with different battlefield choices.

The instructor will use maps and visual presentations to explain the historical background and circumstances leading up to the specific battle. Course documents, such as period maps, game rules and all other instructional media will be available via a Google Drive link which will be emailed to parents.

There is a $25.00 supply fee due payable to the instructor on/before the first day of class. Topics in this series include: Naval Conflict- Jutland (Quarter 1), Germany's Last Offensive (Quarter 2), America's Arrival (Quarter 3), and The 100 Day's Offensive (Quarter 4).

Quarter(s): 4

Day(s): Wed

Open Spots: 0

The best way to understand a biome is to build (a model) one! A biome is a large zone on Earth characterized by its climate, soil, vegetation, and organisms with special adaptations for the unique environment. In modeling biomes, students will learn how they are different than similar ecological concepts like habitats and ecosystems. Students will discover how human activities, such as deforestation and habitat destruction, are transforming biomes.

In this science-themed diorama class, students will be exposed to concepts such as trophic levels, the water cycle, biological competition, geographic isolation, convergent evolution, species diversification, natural vs unnatural climate change, food webs, habitat loss, and ecological niches, while they are working on their models.

Deep-sea trenches are extreme environments located at immense depths in the ocean, sometimes reaching 35,00 feet below sea level. Deep-sea trenches harbor a surprising diversity of life adapted to the darkness, cold temperatures, and high pressures found at such depths such as specialized fish, giant squid, and bioluminescent organisms. These trenches are often the sites of volcanic and tectonic activity and boast mineral-rich hydrothermal vents.

Each student will create an individual diorama. Students will craft and hand-shape their scene on a 10 x 14 inch foam board using artistic, model-making techniques. They will customize their dioramas with landforms, waterways, plant life, and paint. Once individual projects are constructed, students will populate them with miniature figures and combine their dioramas alongside those of their classmates to create a larger terrain. Students will then compete in a zoology-based survival strategy game. Each student will create one board and receive a set of miniatures to take home with them. Course documents such as maps, game rules and all other instructional media will be available via a Google Drive link which will be emailed to parents. There is a $25.00 materials fee payable to the instructor on the first day of class.

Topics in this series include: Mangrove Swamps (Quarter 1), Marshlands (Quarter 2), Coral Reefs (Quarter 3) and Deep Sea Trenches (Quarter 4).