​Project Based Learning Electives provided by the Berrien Springs Virtual Academy​​​​​​​
FLC Tech Classes                                               Fall 2022
All students must complete a project for these classes.

 
On-Site Instructor:  Paul Oblak for all classes except Make It! / Michael Kirby for Make It!
​Masks: Optional for all classes listed below except Make It!
Contact: taraj@andrews.edu or  poblak@gmail.com      #269-697-0069
Location: S.T.E.A.M. Room MakerSpace:  2601 N 5th St., Niles, MI 49120
Classes begin the week of Sept. 5- the week of Jan. 16 (no class the weeks of Nov. 21, Dec, 19 and 26). 

***The spring semester of these classes build on what was taught in the fall.  Fall may be taken without spring. 
​Only students that took FLC classes in the fall can register for second semester in the spring***
​
Additional registration at location is required.

Build and Program Your Own Computer  
Grades 5+
Wednesdays 11 AM-12 PM  or 2:30-3:30 PM  
Description:  Learning about electronic components, programming principles, and terminology through interactive
projects and immersive work on the computer they build as well as videos and lessons of general
concepts/examples. Some projects can be completed semi-autonomously by following instructional
video lessons and asking for help when needed. Students are encouraged to follow their interests and
experiment with their own programming ideas.
Syllabus

Exploring VR 
Grades 5+
Wednesdays, 12:30-1:30 PM
Description: Students will gain familiarity with the world of Virtual Reality, including the technology involved, its uses, and its limitations.  We will use VR as a medium to explore the world around us, from visualizing forces of motion or parts of an atom, to building electrical circuits and watching current flow, to exploring remote parts of our world – from the polar ice caps to the deep sea!  Students will learn how to conduct experiments and gather data through VR, and see how it can be used as an inquiry tool to help us understand the incredible forces at play around us.
Syllabus

Intro to Electronics
Grades 5-10th
Wednesdays, 1:30-2:30 PM
Description: Learning about electronic components, principles, and terminology through interactive projects and
immersive work on challenges as well as videos and lessons of general concepts/examples. Some
projects can be completed autonomously by following instructions included in the kits, and on the video
lessons (and, of course, asking for help when needed). Students are encouraged to follow their interests
and hypothesize about the results of various circuit designs and modifications.
Syllabus

Drone Building        
Grades: 5+
Wednesdays, 10-11 AM
Description: Developing a scientific approach to problems, while learning terminology, problem-solving,
and engineering principles through fun hands-on projects; gaining an in-depth
understanding of the way UAVs have evolved over time, including how they’re built,
operated, and used today.
Syllabus


Make It!
Meets on Tuesdays from 5-6:30m. For grades 4 & up. 
At the Niles STEAM Room Makerspace at 2601 N. 5th Street, Niles, MI
Masks: Required

MAIN INSTRUCTOR: Michael Kirby
Format: In-person
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Phone:(269) 262-0697
Email:dawnandmike007@yahoo.com
Website: FunLearningCompany.com

Description: In this class, students develop skills in 2D and 3D design, using computer design software and
laser, 3D printer, and vinyl cutter machines. Students learn how to engrave their own designs
onto many types of materials, such as paper, cardboard, wood, leather, and acrylic! They are
also able to build 3-dimensional creations as we learn how to apply 2D designs on a computer
into 3D space.

This class will show students that there is no limit to the imagination! We start at a beginner
level, going through the basics of digital graphic design. We then learn how to export our
designs to the laser, 3D printer, and vinyl cutter. The best part of this course is watching your
projects come to life! This class encourages students to design, engrave, cut, and create
anything they put their minds to.
Syllabus

Check out the Glowforge here: https://glowforge.com/  Click on "see how it works" to watch a video sampling of what can be done with a Glowforge. The video is under 3 minutes long....please take the time to watch it.  


*Please note: it is important to make as informed a decision as possible when choosing your student's Community Resource classes. Most locations will allow a student to drop a class after one meeting, at no charge if it wasn't a good fit for the student, but not all. Some classes plan ahead based on the number that have signed up and have purchased materials, hired teachers, etc. and there might be a fee for class time or materials given to the student if the student drops after one or two meetings. The school cannot pay for classes that students do not complete, so choose wisely; if you do not take the class off of your student's schedule by the deadline, you may be asked to pay for the class time incurred prior to dropping the class.
Teacher of Record: Tom Hurst