Summer Science Classes

June 14 - 18th - Environmental Science

Learn about the biomes and environmental health of the Chicago area by hiking 2 unique locations in our area as well as conducting a variety of hands-on lab projects designed to help students understand how our environment effects us and how we effect our environment.

Please plan on packing a ‘picnic’ lunch and plenty of water each day. Good hiking shoes and jeans/long pants are highly recommended each day. Plan on getting dirty! Families are welcome to join us when appropriate.

Who: students aged 10-16

When: 10-3:00 June 14 - 18th

Where: the primary location will be 5004 N Westwood Dr., Johnsburg, IL but we will also visit at Volo Bog, State Natural Area and Glacial Park in Ringwood.

Cost: $80.00 per student


Boy Scouts - Yes, this is an Eagle required merit badge. You will NOT finish this in one week because your observations should be further apart. The reports can be done during the week or afterward. We need to get blue cards filled out and signed before the first day of class.

　

June 21 - 25th - Field Geology

Learn about the geologic past, present and future of the Chicago area by actually hiking 3 unique geological locations in our area and seeing the wonderful moraines, kettles, bogs and unique drainage systems (lakes and streams) of our area. We will meet at a variety of sites so that we can hike and experience a whole new terrain, as well as learn to appreciate how the local geologic features directly influence the biologic health and diversity of the area. A list of recommended resources will be provided the first day of class.

Please plan on packing a ‘picnic’ lunch and plenty of water each day. Good hiking shoes and jeans/long pants are highly recommended each day. Plan on getting dirty!

Families are welcome to join us when appropriate. Most of the sites have nature centers and areas for younger children to play.

Who: students aged 10-16

When: 10-3:00 each day - June 21 - 25th

Where: locations will including Volo Bog (Ingleside), Moraine Hills State Park (McHenry), and Glacial Park (Ringwood). and my home at 5004 N Westwood Dr., Johnsburg IL

Cost: $80.00 per student

Boy Scouts - You will finish this in one week. We will create your collection during the week if you do not have one already. We need to get blue cards filled out and signed before the first day of class.




July 12 - 16 - Fresh Water Ecology (Limnology)

Join us as we learn about the geological, biological, chemical and physical features we take for granted here in the ‘lakes’ region of Illinois. Weather permitting we will meet to make field collections at several locations in the lakes region and bring some of these collections back to Mrs. Wentz’s home to analyze the variety of microscopic life and the chemical composition of the water and compare and contrast our findings from location to location. A list of recommended resources will be provided the first day of class.

Please plan on packing a ‘picnic’ lunch and water each day. Good hiking shoes and jeans/long pants are highly recommended each day. Plan on getting dirty!

Families are welcome to join us when appropriate. Most of the sites we will be visiting have areas for children to play. Bowling and playgrounds are a short drive away from the Wentz’s home.

Who: students aged 10 - 16

When: from 10 - 3:00 July 12 - 16th

Where: Locations include Volo Bog (Ingleside), McHenry Dam (McHenry), Nippersink Creek (Ringwood), and Lake Defiance (inside Moraine Hills State Park, McHenry)

Afternoon lab work will be completed at 5004 N Westwood Dr., Johnsburg

(2 miles north of the Johnsburg Library)

Cost: $80.00 per student

Consumer Math Class

The Cure for the Math Curse: Consumer Math


(designed to meet the needs of junior high and high school students)





When: Wednesdays 10:30-noon from April 21st - May 19th


Where: a private home in Cary (please contact me for the address.... due to privacy concerns I don't want to publish it here for obvious reasons!)



We tend to worry a lot about what our student's ACT or SAT scores will be, but the only score that will matter in their lives after they are 21 is their FICO score. Let's make sure they have the knowledge they need to not ruin it early on! Using a variety of materials and activities, learn the basics necessary to understand the ins and outs of:


opening bank accounts (savings, checking, what is a NOW account? ROTH vs a traditional IRAs, etc),


borrowing money (including credit cards and mortgages),


insurance (the different types of insurance, home, car, whole life vs term life, how to pick the right plan),


utility bills and household expenses (how much is your family paying? budget plans and more),


and taxes (do I really need to file? Who pays quarterly? Who gets money back?).


Students will need a calculator in class and will be assigned homework that will include using some of the amortization calculators on bankrate.com.




Cost: The cost of this 5 week class will be $50 and is payable to Kathy Wentz the first day of class.


Credit card payments through paypal are accepted in advance.