Why This Class
As you know, chemicals are all around us—including in the foods we eat, the medicines we take, and the household products we use every day. You want your student to understand how these substances interact to create their day-to-day experiences, and also know when to use caution. This course helps by guiding your student into the fascinating world of chemistry.

Mentors in this course begin by introducing students to chemistry’s most important tool: the periodic table of elements. From there, students explore concepts including matter, energy, atoms, and electrons and learn to recognize the trends found throughout the periodic table. With the guidance of a mentor, students use scientific notation and the law of conservation of matter to balance chemical equations, identify reaction types, and notice limiting reactants.

By completing this course, students gain a new awareness of the critical role played by chemical elements and their reactions in everyday life. They are more conscious of how and why the world works—and more excited than ever to keep exploring.

Why This Class
As a parent, you want your student to be conscious of their role in the natural world—both how they impact the other forms of life around them, and vice versa—to protect their health and the Earth’s. This course helps by expanding your student’s understanding of biology.

Mentors in this course guide students on a tour of the various kingdoms—from nearly-invisible microbes and viruses to insects, plants, and animals—that make up life on Earth. Through experiments and observations, students learn the characteristics of each kingdom and how organisms, matter, and energy interact within ecosystems. Mentors also reiterate and demonstrate the value of using data to question and validate scientific theories as students debate a wide range of topics in class discussions.

By completing this course, students gain perspective on the critical role humans play in shaping Earth’s ecosystems and influencing its many species. They feel more connected to, and inspired by, life in all its forms.

Why This Class
As a parent, you want your student to appreciate the miracle of life in its full complexity. You also want them to hang onto their youthful curiosity—the habit of always asking “How?” or “Why?” This course helps with both by exposing your student to the wonders and intricacies of biology.

Mentors in this course guide students on an exploration of the concepts of cells, cellular reproduction, metabolism, and genetics. In labs, students use the scientific method to create experiments that teach them more about life through observation, hypotheses, data gathering, and analysis. Mentors also demonstrate the use of data to validate—or question—scientific conclusions. Students apply all of these skills as they debate findings in evidence-based discussions with their peers.

Students emerge from this course with an elevated understanding of what’s known and unknown about how living organisms function. They are more motivated than ever to ask questions about life and use scientific thinking to find meaningful answers.

Why This Class
As a parent, you want your student to feel limitless in their potential—you want their mental horizons to be as broad and deep as the universe itself. With that in mind, this course helps your student expand their perspective on life and the world by deepening their knowledge and appreciation of astronomy.

Mentors in this course help students see how advances in technology are enabling new astronomical discoveries every day. Students explore cosmology and the concepts of light and matter that illuminate the universe’s mysteries, take a tour of the planets and other objects in our solar system, and discover the quest for more “Goldilocks planets” like Earth. In the process, they learn about the elements that comprise our solar system and the life-sustaining traits that make Earth unique.

By completing this course, students awaken to a new level of understanding about humanity’s place in the universe and the role of technology in expanding astronomy’s horizons. They feel empowered to “think big” on a larger scale than ever before.

Why This Class
At some point, your student has probably asked you a question or two about outer space: How many stars are there? How big is the Milky Way? What is a black hole? As you know, these aren’t easy questions to answer. This course helps by taking your student on an introductory tour of the marvels and mysteries of astronomy.

Mentors in this course begin by showing students how astronomers locate and study the stars and constellations of the night sky. Next, students learn the characteristics of objects including the Sun, distant galaxies, black holes, quasars, and solar flares. Students also explore how light and distance determine whether a celestial object is visible to the naked eye or requires state-of-the-art technology to view—and learn how to spot some of those objects themselves.

By the end of this course, students expand their awareness of the natural world well beyond planet Earth. They feel inspired by a new level of fascination about the universe to continue exploring its unanswered questions.

Why This Class
As you know, one of the most powerful methods for sharing an idea is storytelling. Wherever your student goes in life, you want them to become a skilled and confident storyteller—and this course helps by introducing them to the inner workings of great stories.

Mentors in this course guide students in an exploration of folktales and short stories from multiple cultures. Through frequent writing practice and detailed mentor feedback, students master fundamental grammar, punctuation, and style techniques to support their success in both written and verbal communication. Students practice rhetoric in a series of in-class debates and evolve as storytellers by retelling a classic story or presenting one of their own. Mentors also emphasize the etiquette of writing in the digital age and the importance of validating online sources.

By completing this course, students learn to recognize the elements of great stories in the messages and media all around them. They improve their writing and speaking skills and gain confidence in using storytelling to persuade and inspire others.

Why This Class
As a parent, you recognize the importance of strong writing skills for your student’s future success. You want to help them not only excel in high school writing assignments but also develop the communication skills to influence others positively. This course helps by guiding your student through the fundamentals of great writing.

Mentors in this course support students in mastering the essential rules of grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and digital etiquette as they develop their unique writing voice and style. Students also explore examples of effective rhetoric including famous speeches, biographies, and memoirs. They then apply their new knowledge and skills to create a personal essay and speech that showcase their perspective on one of life’s big questions. Along the way, mentors give personalized feedback and encourage multiple iterations to promote mastery.

By completing this course, students increase their appreciation for thoughtful, well-organized writing and speech. They learn to write in cohesive paragraphs and are excited to continue expanding their writing skills to thrive throughout high school and beyond.

Why This Class
As a parent, you realize the only constant force in life is change. You also know accepting this reality is easier said than done—especially for your student as they grow towards adulthood. This course helps by exposing them to stories that display how human beings respond and adapt to change.

Mentors in this course guide students through some of the most striking works of modern world literature. In the process, students discuss and debate themes ranging from justice and mercy to cultural confrontation and personal redemption. Students also explore the emotional impact of large-scale changes in society—and learn how individuals can act as change agents to drive those shifts. To summarize their learning, students end the course by writing a personal essay called “This I Believe.”

By completing this course, students gain clarity on the core beliefs and values that will help them navigate the stormy seas of change. They can also relate more deeply to others who struggle to accept and embrace changes in their lives.

Why This Class
Stories lie at the bedrock of human civilization—and for your student to play an active role in society, they need to understand the stories that define how people think and live. With that in mind, this course introduces your student to the myths and legends that have shaped the western world.

With the guidance of a mentor, students in this course explore some of humanity’s earliest and most influential works of literature. They examine each one’s historical context, legacy, and insights into human nature. Mentors place a special emphasis on the “hero” archetype that appears as a recurring theme through each work. In turn, students apply that framework as a tool to enhance their life stories. Through rigorous discussions and writing projects, students also elevate their reasoning and communication skills to a new level.

By participating in this course, students awaken to the impact of great stories on the structure of society itself.

Why This Class
For your student, the motives of human behavior (and sometimes, even their own) can seem mysterious and unpredictable. You want to help them gain a stronger sense of why they and others do the things they do. This course helps by guiding your student through a series of great short stories.

Mentors in this course challenge students to dig deep into the symbolism and hidden lessons of each tale. In the process, students uncover the principles that support—or unravel—family unity and loyalty, romantic relationships, grace under pressure, and happiness itself. Through discussions and writing assignments, they apply these lessons to their life circumstances and try their hands at creating original short fiction.

By completing this course, students expand their capacity for empathy and see the underlying forces that guide human action for better or worse. Moving forward, they use this perspective to increase the quality of their own life choices.