Course Descriptions
Science & STEM Fall 2018
Registration Is Open For Fall And Winter/Spring Semesters
Tuesdays YMCA
Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology
6th – 9th Grade
Tuesdays 2:15 – 3:15
6 Weeks: September 11, 18 October 2, 9,16, 23 (No Class September 25)
Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $150
Cells are the smallest units within biology, and they are the building blocks for living complex organisms. This six-week course teaches students about the makeup of cells and molecules, and how they function. Students investigate the organization of matter and atomic theory, dive into cell structure and function, classify the differences in taxonomy, and learn about cellular transport and about the structure and protein synthesis of DNA/RNA. This course is a great introduction into the fascinating world of biology, the study of life.
Outside Classwork: Homework will be assigned and will take under and hour/week to complete.
Instructor: Justin Johnson
6th – 9th Grade
Tuesdays 2:15 – 3:15
6 Weeks: September 11, 18 October 2, 9,16, 23 (No Class September 25)
Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $150
Cells are the smallest units within biology, and they are the building blocks for living complex organisms. This six-week course teaches students about the makeup of cells and molecules, and how they function. Students investigate the organization of matter and atomic theory, dive into cell structure and function, classify the differences in taxonomy, and learn about cellular transport and about the structure and protein synthesis of DNA/RNA. This course is a great introduction into the fascinating world of biology, the study of life.
Outside Classwork: Homework will be assigned and will take under and hour/week to complete.
Instructor: Justin Johnson
Biology: Genes, Not Jeans
6th – 9th Grade
Tuesday 2:15-3:15
6 Weeks: October 30 November 6, 13, 27 December 4, 11 (No Class November 20)
Locations: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $160
Have you ever wondered why your hair is brown? It’s from genes - the basics of genetics. This includes topics like cell replication, mitosis, meiosis, as well as types of inheritable characteristics. Students make monohybrid and dihybrid crosses to learn about the probability of passing along favorable or unfavorable traits. This is a perfect course for teaching students how traits get passed to the next generation and for building on concepts learned in biology.
Outside Classwork: Homework will be assigned and will take under an hour/week to complete.
Instructor: Justin Johnson
6th – 9th Grade
Tuesday 2:15-3:15
6 Weeks: October 30 November 6, 13, 27 December 4, 11 (No Class November 20)
Locations: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $160
Have you ever wondered why your hair is brown? It’s from genes - the basics of genetics. This includes topics like cell replication, mitosis, meiosis, as well as types of inheritable characteristics. Students make monohybrid and dihybrid crosses to learn about the probability of passing along favorable or unfavorable traits. This is a perfect course for teaching students how traits get passed to the next generation and for building on concepts learned in biology.
Outside Classwork: Homework will be assigned and will take under an hour/week to complete.
Instructor: Justin Johnson
Tuesdays Jewish Community Center (JJC)
7 Weeks of STEM Challenges
3rd - 5th Grade
Tuesdays 11:00–11:55
7 Weeks: October 9, 16, 23, 30 November 6, 13, 27 (Not class on November 20)
Location: Jewish Community Center of MV
Tuition: $175
Full: Sorry there are no seats available in this class.
Please email infoc3classes@gmail.com to be placed on the wait list for this class.
In this fun-filled class students will solve a variety of challenges presented to them using science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Activities include building a boat while learning about hydrodynamics, understanding density by designing various contraptions, and gaining practical knowledge of earthquakes by building an earthquake resistant house. This is hands-on learning at its finest!
Outside Classwork: Homework will be assigned and will take approximately 30 mins-1 hour to complete each week.
Instructor: Justin Johnson
3rd - 5th Grade
Tuesdays 11:00–11:55
7 Weeks: October 9, 16, 23, 30 November 6, 13, 27 (Not class on November 20)
Location: Jewish Community Center of MV
Tuition: $175
Full: Sorry there are no seats available in this class.
Please email infoc3classes@gmail.com to be placed on the wait list for this class.
In this fun-filled class students will solve a variety of challenges presented to them using science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Activities include building a boat while learning about hydrodynamics, understanding density by designing various contraptions, and gaining practical knowledge of earthquakes by building an earthquake resistant house. This is hands-on learning at its finest!
Outside Classwork: Homework will be assigned and will take approximately 30 mins-1 hour to complete each week.
Instructor: Justin Johnson
Thursdays YMCA
Future Chemists: Atoms & The Periodic Table
6th– 9th Grade
Thursdays 12:45 – 2:00
4 Weeks: November 15, 29 December 6, 13 (No class November 22)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $115 Full: Sorry there are no seats available in this class.
Please email infoc3classes@gmail.com to be placed on the wait list for this class.
Students learn about the building blocks of understanding the fascinating world of chemistry. This leads to a greater understanding of the world around us. Lessons focus on learning about atoms, and how they are related to the periodic table while students begin solving chemical equations, learning about types of bonds and conservation of matter, and perform if there is time stoichiometry,
*For students who completed environmental chemistry, this course touches on some similar ideas, but the material is mostly new.
Outside Classwork: This course has under an hour of homework a week to be completed and turned in.
Instructor: Justin Johnson
Advanced STEM Challenges, Physics Edition
4th – 8th Grade
Thursdays 2:00–3:00
7 Weeks: September 6, 13, 20 October 4, 11, 18, 25 (No Class September 27)
Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $160 Full: Sorry there are no seats available in this class.
Please email infoc3classes@gmail.com to be placed on the wait list for this class.
Students incorporate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into solving fun and engaging challenges involving physics concepts. Students develop their best approach to solve these challenges and learn about important topics in the process. Students engineer a soda can magnet, explore propellers to create cars and boats powered by them, engineer the strongest bridge, and much more while learning about how and why everything works the way it does.
Outside Classwork: Students are asked to perform write-ups about their activities to show what they have learned. Write-ups should take about 30 minutes-1 hour to complete per week.
Instructor: Justin Johnson
4th – 8th Grade
Thursdays 2:00–3:00
7 Weeks: September 6, 13, 20 October 4, 11, 18, 25 (No Class September 27)
Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $160 Full: Sorry there are no seats available in this class.
Please email infoc3classes@gmail.com to be placed on the wait list for this class.
Students incorporate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into solving fun and engaging challenges involving physics concepts. Students develop their best approach to solve these challenges and learn about important topics in the process. Students engineer a soda can magnet, explore propellers to create cars and boats powered by them, engineer the strongest bridge, and much more while learning about how and why everything works the way it does.
Outside Classwork: Students are asked to perform write-ups about their activities to show what they have learned. Write-ups should take about 30 minutes-1 hour to complete per week.
Instructor: Justin Johnson
Human Impacts on Ocean Ecosystems
4th – 8th Grade
Thursdays 2:00–3:00
6 Weeks: November 1, 8, 15, 29 December 6, 13 (No Class November 22)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $150
Humans have had a huge impact on the world around us. Every action we do has some sort of consequence. This course is designed to teach students about how humans are impacting the ocean environment around them with the aim of coming up with solutions towards their prevention. This is an eye-opening and important topic for the next generation to understand. Students explore concepts like fishery bycatch, ocean sounds and acoustics, ship strikes, ocean acidification, pollution, invasive species, and much more.
Outside Classwork: Homework will be assigned and will take under an hour/week to complete.
Instructor: Justin Johnson
4th – 8th Grade
Thursdays 2:00–3:00
6 Weeks: November 1, 8, 15, 29 December 6, 13 (No Class November 22)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $150
Humans have had a huge impact on the world around us. Every action we do has some sort of consequence. This course is designed to teach students about how humans are impacting the ocean environment around them with the aim of coming up with solutions towards their prevention. This is an eye-opening and important topic for the next generation to understand. Students explore concepts like fishery bycatch, ocean sounds and acoustics, ship strikes, ocean acidification, pollution, invasive species, and much more.
Outside Classwork: Homework will be assigned and will take under an hour/week to complete.
Instructor: Justin Johnson
Course Descriptions
Science Winter/Spring 2019
Tuesdays YMCA
Biology: Biological Systems
6th – 9th Grade
Tuesdays 2:15 – 3:15
7 Weeks: January 15, 22, 29 February 5, 12, 19, 26
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $170
Welcome to biological systems, a course designed to teach students about the flow of energy through the different types of systems. Concepts like food web dynamics, ecosystem structure, symbiotic relationships, major aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, biogeochemical cycles, and types of succession are covered. In this class students look at everything from the systems standpoint and is a great course for students to apply what they have learned in earlier biology courses and connect it to the bigger picture.
Outside Classwork: Homework is assigned weekly and will take under an hour a week to complete.
Instructor: Justin Johnson
6th – 9th Grade
Tuesdays 2:15 – 3:15
7 Weeks: January 15, 22, 29 February 5, 12, 19, 26
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $170
Welcome to biological systems, a course designed to teach students about the flow of energy through the different types of systems. Concepts like food web dynamics, ecosystem structure, symbiotic relationships, major aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, biogeochemical cycles, and types of succession are covered. In this class students look at everything from the systems standpoint and is a great course for students to apply what they have learned in earlier biology courses and connect it to the bigger picture.
Outside Classwork: Homework is assigned weekly and will take under an hour a week to complete.
Instructor: Justin Johnson
ABCs of Good Health: Nutrition
6th – 9th Grade
Tuesdays 2:15 – 3:15
6 Weeks: March 5, 26 April 2, 9, 16, 30 (No class March 12, 19 or April 23)
Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Cost: Tuition: $150
We’ve all been told at some point in life to eat our vegetables. Students learn why nutritional needs are important and about all of the mechanisms functioning toward living a healthy lifestyle. Some topics covered are: digestion, metabolism, nutritional needs, food pyramids, nutrients, and food selection. This course gives students a look into the importance of nutrition, and how it affects their daily lives.
Outside Classwork: Homework is assigned and will take under an hour a week to complete.
Instructor: Justin Johnson
6th – 9th Grade
Tuesdays 2:15 – 3:15
6 Weeks: March 5, 26 April 2, 9, 16, 30 (No class March 12, 19 or April 23)
Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Cost: Tuition: $150
We’ve all been told at some point in life to eat our vegetables. Students learn why nutritional needs are important and about all of the mechanisms functioning toward living a healthy lifestyle. Some topics covered are: digestion, metabolism, nutritional needs, food pyramids, nutrients, and food selection. This course gives students a look into the importance of nutrition, and how it affects their daily lives.
Outside Classwork: Homework is assigned and will take under an hour a week to complete.
Instructor: Justin Johnson
Tuesdays Jewish Community Center (JJC)
Animal Kingdoms
1st – 2nd Grade
Tuesdays 10:00–10:50
4 Weeks: April 2, 9, 16, 30 (No Class April 23)
Location: Jewish Community Center of MV
Tuition: $110
Find out which animals are truly kings as we they explore the different types of creatures in the animal kingdom. Students learn about classification, and why it is so important in science. The types of categories discussed in class include vertebrates like reptiles, fish, amphibians, birds, mammals; as well as invertebrates like protozoa, flatworms, segmented worms, arthropods, mollusks and many more. Students will be able to tell the difference between the different phyla and which characteristics separate them from the others.
Outside Classwork: Homework will be assigned but optional and will take under 30 minutes/week to complete.
Instructor: Justin Johnson
1st – 2nd Grade
Tuesdays 10:00–10:50
4 Weeks: April 2, 9, 16, 30 (No Class April 23)
Location: Jewish Community Center of MV
Tuition: $110
Find out which animals are truly kings as we they explore the different types of creatures in the animal kingdom. Students learn about classification, and why it is so important in science. The types of categories discussed in class include vertebrates like reptiles, fish, amphibians, birds, mammals; as well as invertebrates like protozoa, flatworms, segmented worms, arthropods, mollusks and many more. Students will be able to tell the difference between the different phyla and which characteristics separate them from the others.
Outside Classwork: Homework will be assigned but optional and will take under 30 minutes/week to complete.
Instructor: Justin Johnson
Shark School
3rd–5th Grade
Tuesdays 11:00–11:55
5 Weeks: January 15, 22, 29 February 5, 12
Location: Jewish Community Center of MV
Tuition: $130
Welcome minnows! It is time for Shark School, and class is in session. In this fun and exciting course, students learn all about sharks and what makes them so fascinating. Shark classification, body parts and functions, diversity, ecology, and shark conservation are a few of the topics covered in this five week course. Sharks are an extremely important animal and probably the most misunderstood species out there. This course strives to give insight into the lives of an elegant yet mysterious animal.
Outside Classwork: Homework will be assigned and will take under 30 minutes a week to complete.
Instructor: Justin Johnson
3rd–5th Grade
Tuesdays 11:00–11:55
5 Weeks: January 15, 22, 29 February 5, 12
Location: Jewish Community Center of MV
Tuition: $130
Welcome minnows! It is time for Shark School, and class is in session. In this fun and exciting course, students learn all about sharks and what makes them so fascinating. Shark classification, body parts and functions, diversity, ecology, and shark conservation are a few of the topics covered in this five week course. Sharks are an extremely important animal and probably the most misunderstood species out there. This course strives to give insight into the lives of an elegant yet mysterious animal.
Outside Classwork: Homework will be assigned and will take under 30 minutes a week to complete.
Instructor: Justin Johnson
Dolphin Adventure
3rd– 5th Grade
Tuesdays 11:00-11:55
4 Weeks: February 19, 26 March 5, 26 (No Class March 12 and 19)
Location: Jewish Community Center of MV
Tuition: $110
It’s time for an adventure in learning about an animal that many have come to love. Dolphins are an extremely playful and interesting type of animal, and this course was created to teach students more about these fascinating creatures. Students learn about the classification of dolphins, the anatomy/body parts and functions, the behavior, the populations, and the migration patterns of dolphins.
Outside Classwork: Homework will be assigned and will take under 30 minutes a week to complete.
Instructor: Justin Johnson
3rd– 5th Grade
Tuesdays 11:00-11:55
4 Weeks: February 19, 26 March 5, 26 (No Class March 12 and 19)
Location: Jewish Community Center of MV
Tuition: $110
It’s time for an adventure in learning about an animal that many have come to love. Dolphins are an extremely playful and interesting type of animal, and this course was created to teach students more about these fascinating creatures. Students learn about the classification of dolphins, the anatomy/body parts and functions, the behavior, the populations, and the migration patterns of dolphins.
Outside Classwork: Homework will be assigned and will take under 30 minutes a week to complete.
Instructor: Justin Johnson
Science of Natural Disasters
3rd - 5th Grade
Tuesdays 11:00 –11:55
4 Weeks: April 2, 9, 16, 30 (No class April 23)
Location: Jewish Community Center of MV
Tuition: $110
“Hold On Tight” for this natural disasters course! Prepare to study the major types natural disasters, how and why they occur, the science behind them, their impacts, and what can be done to prevent or combat them. Students construct buildings and structures, testing them against the disasters we discuss in class. Students love learning about the natural processes responsible for causing some of the most damage we have ever seen!
Outside Classwork: Homework will be assigned and will take under 30 minutes a week to complete.
Instructor: Justin Johnson
3rd - 5th Grade
Tuesdays 11:00 –11:55
4 Weeks: April 2, 9, 16, 30 (No class April 23)
Location: Jewish Community Center of MV
Tuition: $110
“Hold On Tight” for this natural disasters course! Prepare to study the major types natural disasters, how and why they occur, the science behind them, their impacts, and what can be done to prevent or combat them. Students construct buildings and structures, testing them against the disasters we discuss in class. Students love learning about the natural processes responsible for causing some of the most damage we have ever seen!
Outside Classwork: Homework will be assigned and will take under 30 minutes a week to complete.
Instructor: Justin Johnson
Thursdays Jewish Community Center (JJC)
Becoming a Scientist: Scientific Tools and Measurement
1st – 3rd Grade
Thursdays 10:15 – 11:15
6 Weeks: February 28 March 7, 28 April 4, 11, 18 (No class March 14 and 21)
Location: Jewish Community Center of MV
Tuition: $130
Why do scientists perform experiments? Future scientists will love this course because it prepares them to think and behave like a scientist. Students learn about scientific units, build their observation skills, and perform hands-on experiments that them about how to measure, weigh, and pour liquids and solids using precise scientific methods. This class involves many hands-on activities to help the kids master their scientific skills and have fun in the process.
Students are required to have a small notebook with them, so they can use it as a scientific journal to take notes and record observations.
Outside Classwork: Homework is assigned and takes under 30 minutes a week to complete.
Instructor: Justin Johnson
1st – 3rd Grade
Thursdays 10:15 – 11:15
6 Weeks: February 28 March 7, 28 April 4, 11, 18 (No class March 14 and 21)
Location: Jewish Community Center of MV
Tuition: $130
Why do scientists perform experiments? Future scientists will love this course because it prepares them to think and behave like a scientist. Students learn about scientific units, build their observation skills, and perform hands-on experiments that them about how to measure, weigh, and pour liquids and solids using precise scientific methods. This class involves many hands-on activities to help the kids master their scientific skills and have fun in the process.
Students are required to have a small notebook with them, so they can use it as a scientific journal to take notes and record observations.
Outside Classwork: Homework is assigned and takes under 30 minutes a week to complete.
Instructor: Justin Johnson
Thursdays YMCA
Chemical Reactions
4th – 8th Grade
Thursdays 12:45 – 2:00
5 Weeks: January 17, 24, 31 February 7, 14
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $140 Full: Sorry there are no seats available in this class.
Please email infoc3classes@gmail.com to be placed on the wait list for this class.
Having trouble getting a reaction from the crowd? Then this course is for you. Students learn about exciting topics in chemistry and perform reactions experiments each class! Students learn about the following topics: Carbon cycle, stoichiometry, reaction energy, thermochemistry, reaction kinetics, and chemical equilibrium. Students gain a better understanding towards important chemical concepts and are aided in their journey to becoming a future chemist!
Outside Classwork: Homework will be assigned and will take under an hour a week to complete.
Instructor: Justin Johnson
4th – 8th Grade
Thursdays 12:45 – 2:00
5 Weeks: January 17, 24, 31 February 7, 14
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $140 Full: Sorry there are no seats available in this class.
Please email infoc3classes@gmail.com to be placed on the wait list for this class.
Having trouble getting a reaction from the crowd? Then this course is for you. Students learn about exciting topics in chemistry and perform reactions experiments each class! Students learn about the following topics: Carbon cycle, stoichiometry, reaction energy, thermochemistry, reaction kinetics, and chemical equilibrium. Students gain a better understanding towards important chemical concepts and are aided in their journey to becoming a future chemist!
Outside Classwork: Homework will be assigned and will take under an hour a week to complete.
Instructor: Justin Johnson
Electricity and Magnetism
4th - 8th Grade
Thursdays 2:00 – 3:00
6 Weeks: March 7, 28 April 4, 11, 18, 25 (No Class March 14 and 21)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $175 Full: Sorry there are no seats available in this class.
Please email infoc3classes@gmail.com to be placed on the wait list for this class.
This course is sure to get an attraction as students learn about the fascinating world of electricity and magnetism. Students learn about key concepts like electric charge, transfer of charge (conduction, friction, and induction), conductors and insulators, current, voltage, and resistance, and magnetism. Students will also assemble and build circuits. This class is a great introduction into the captivating world of physical sciences.
Outside Classwork: Homework is assigned and takes under an hour a week to complete.
Instructor: Justin Johnson
4th - 8th Grade
Thursdays 2:00 – 3:00
6 Weeks: March 7, 28 April 4, 11, 18, 25 (No Class March 14 and 21)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $175 Full: Sorry there are no seats available in this class.
Please email infoc3classes@gmail.com to be placed on the wait list for this class.
This course is sure to get an attraction as students learn about the fascinating world of electricity and magnetism. Students learn about key concepts like electric charge, transfer of charge (conduction, friction, and induction), conductors and insulators, current, voltage, and resistance, and magnetism. Students will also assemble and build circuits. This class is a great introduction into the captivating world of physical sciences.
Outside Classwork: Homework is assigned and takes under an hour a week to complete.
Instructor: Justin Johnson