Science Opportunities

 Nathalie Thomas will be running a few courses in Wellington, Lower Hutt, Palmerston North and Wanganui.

See information below.

Basic chemistry laboratory course (ages 12+) – for waiting list only

This 6-hour lab course covers a large part of the chemistry practical skills usually covered in high school science classes during years 9 and 10. No prior skills or knowledge required.

Content: safety in the lab, the Bunsen burner, separation techniques, chemical reactions,making and testing 3 common gases, pH scale, acids and bases, indicators.

Important: students aged 13 and under need to be accompanied by an adult in the lab, up to 3 students allowed per adult.

Friday 24 February 2017 from 9:30am to 4:30pm with a lunch break from 12:30 to 1:30pm.

Course fee: $45 per student or $120 for 3 siblings. Note: Victoria university is offering their lab, equipment anddemonstrators free of charge making this a very affordable day ?

Venue: Victoria University, Kelburn campus, Wellington.

Radiation and radioactivity (ages 10-14)

During this workshop students will learn about radiation and radioactivity.

There will be a demonstration of the Geiger counter with real radioactivesources. The central theme is space travel and the possibility of colonisation of Mars. A high interest workshop. No prior knowledge or skills required.

Course fee: $20 per student or $50 for 3 siblings.

Dates & venues: Lower Hutt, Mon 27 Feb, 1:15pm to 3:45pm. Russell Keown House.

Palmerston North, Thu 2 March, 10am to 12:30pm, Gateways Church.

Wanganui, Fri 3 Mar, 10:15am to 12:45pm, Training for You campus.

Introduction to Nuclear Physics (ages 13+)

Students will learn about radiation, radioactivity, isotopes and the concept of half-life as well as everydayapplications of nuclear science. We will measure radioactive sources with a Geiger counter. An understanding of atom structure is recommended.

Course fee: $20 per student or $50 for 3 siblings.

Dates & venues: Lower Hutt, Tues 28 Feb, 1:15pm to 3:45pm. Russell Keown House.

Palmerston North, Thu 2 March, 1pm to 3:30pm, Gateways Church.

About the tutor

Nathalie Thomas is a homeschooling mum who lives in the Bay of Plenty. She has a MSc in Chemistry, did her teacher

training in Auckland and taught at high school level for more than 10 years before retiring 11 years ago to become a

home educator. She now runs science workshops and laboratory courses specifically for homeschooled children as well

as online courses. Her website is www.science-for-home-educators.co.nz.

Booking and payment details

To register for the above workshops email Nathalie on info@science-for-home-educators.co.nz , with your name and

contact phone number, your child’s name and age and which workshop(s) you would like to attend.

Payment is due by Wed 15 February 2017. More detailed information about the venue and what to bring will be

provided closer to the time of the workshops.

Note that a refund will only be given if the workshop is cancelled or if there is another family who can take your place.

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Needing help for your home schooling journey:

https://hef.org.nz/2011/needing-help-for-your-home-schooling-journey-2/

And

Here are a couple of links to get you started home schooling:

Information on getting startedhttps://hef.org.nz/getting-started-2/

and

Information on getting an exemptionhttps://hef.org.nz/exemptions/

This link is motivational:https://hef.org.nz/2012/home-schooling-what-is-it-all-about/

Exemption Form online:https://hef.org.nz/2012/home-schooling-exemption-form-now-online/

Coming Events:https://hef.org.nz/2013/some-coming-events-for-home-education-during-2013-2/

Beneficiaries: http://hef.org.nz/2013/where-to-for-beneficiary-families-now-that-the-social-security-benefit-categories-and-work-focus-amendment-bill-has-passed-its-third-reading