(Fall 2023) The Way Things Work Now, Part One with Inshal Chenet

Based on the book by David Macaulay, this high-interest course dives into the physics of how everyday objects work – showing us how technology that seems magical is really man’s engineering working with God’s design.

How to get the most out of  The Way Things Work Now, Part One with Inshal Chenet:

  • First, read the course materials below before the first class meeting.

  • Then have a notebook ready and available for class notes each live session.

  • Read assignments before class meetings

  • Watch that week’s recording if you need to revisit information from our live session.

  • Do the assignments, quizzes, and any extra work assigned for that week.

  • Once the course is completed to the parent's and professor’s satisfaction, there is a Certificate of Completion at the end to be filled in for your records.

Total Classes: 14

Duration: 45 minutes

Prerequisite: None

Suggested Grade Level: 6th to 9th grade

Suggested Credit: One full semester Engineering or Applied Science

Instructor: Inshal Chenet

Instructor Email: inshalj@gmail.com

Course Description: Using David Macaulay’s book, The Way Things Work Now, we will explore how everyday objects work. Too often the technology around us seems like magic. In this course, we will learn everything from doorknobs to sewing machines to computers!

Course Outline

  • Week 1: Mechanics of Movement / The Inclined Plane

  • Week 2: Levers

  • Week 3: Wheels, Gears, Belts

  • Week 4: Cams, Cranks & Pulleys

  • Week 5: Screws

  • Week 6: Rotating Wheels

  • Week 7: Springs and Friction

  • Week 8: Review for Midterm

  • Week 9: Floating

  • Week 10: Flying

  • Week 11: Pressure Power

  • Week 12: Exploiting Heat

  • Week 13: Nuclear Power

  • Week 14: Review for Final

Course Materials: The Way Things Work Now by David Macaulay, ISBN: 978-0544824386 (https://amzn.to/3qoQTt1 or BookFinder.com).

Homework: Each week, students will be required to read a selection from the textbook, take a short 10 question quiz, and attempt to find and examine a machine in their own home that uses the principles talked about in class