Classes in Belgrave
The Phi School runs maths/science classes every Tuesday at the Belgrave Library
Early Secondary Math and Science
$30 for one, $20 for siblings
Tuesdays 10am to 12pm
April 16 to June 25 2024
Taught by Nicole Dawson
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This is a two part class, with a maths session, a small break and then a science section.
The mathematics will largely begin with geometry with an aim to understand algebra and the application of formulas. We'll be covering selected topics according to the preferences of students for example:
- Angles and lines
- Units of measurement
- Length, Area and Volume, and the three dimensions
- Properties of circles and pi
- Properties of polygons, including regular polygons
- Density, gravity, mass and volume
The science part will cover a broad range of topics for example:
- Acids and bases, and pH testing
- The movement of the Sun. Earth and Moon and how these influence the seasons, night and day and the solstices
- Atoms, the periodic table, electrons and atomic bonding
- DNA and gene pools, natural selection and influences on the gene pool
- Neurones and how we learn
- The curvature of space-time
- Cells and their machinery
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Primary Math and Science
$30 for one, $20 for siblings
Tuesdays 1pm to 3pm
April 16 to June 25 2024
Taught by Nicole Dawson
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This is a two part class, with a maths session, a small break and then a science section.
The mathematics component of this class will focus on arithmetic including
- Addition and subtraction
- Multiplication and division
- Fractions
- Percentages
- Decimals
The science part will cover a broad range of topics including:
- Acids and bases, and pH testing
- The movement of the Sun. Earth and Moon and how these influence the seasons, night and day and the solstices
- Atoms, the periodic table, electrons and atomic bonding
- DNA and gene pools, natural selection and influences on the gene pool
- Neurones and how we learn
- The curvature of space-time
- Cells and their machinery
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Self organised classes
Organise a class run by Nicole for your local homeschoolers at a venue of your choice
$180 per 2 hour session plus travel expenses
Beauty of mathematics : Fractals
2 Hours
Suitable for ages 7 and over, families welcome
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What is a fractal? Learn about these amazing natural patterns, found in so many places including river systems, in plant growth, mathematics and even your own body! Did you know that the antenna inside a mobile phone is a fractal? Play with Mandelbrot zooming, draw a Sierpinski fractal and leave being prepared to start seeing fractal patterns all over your world.
Beauty of mathematics : Phi and the Fibonacci sequence
2 Hours
Suitable for ages 7 and over, families welcome
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The golden ratio, the golden mean of phi is simple a number, but this number has fascinating mathematical properties that no other number does. It is considered by many to be involved in the building blocks of life. This ratio is found in the DNA and morphology of every living organism, and also in the stock market! Designers, artists, architects use this ratio to bring beauty into their work.
The fibonacci sequence is a number sequence also found in plants, and has intimate ties with the golden ratio.
We'll be examining this beautiful number, and drawing a mathematically accurate Fibonacci spiral.
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Beauty of mathematics : The flower of life and the platonic solids
2 Hours
Suitable for ages 7 and over, families welcome
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The flower of life is a geometric figure that has shown up archeologically in many different cultures around the world. There is a magic and beauty in this figure, and it contains clues that point to understanding the foundations of geometry.
In ancient Greece, Plato was fascinated by geometry and spent years of his life studying the platonic solids, a series of 3 dimensional figures. Their mysteries are sure to inspire! Learn how these figures are represented in the flower of life and draw your own mathematically accurate flower of life.
Beauty of mathematics : Infinity
2 Hours
Suitable for ages 7 and over, families welcome
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How big is infinity? Where is infinity?
The illustrious infinity is all around us, peeking out from the edges of maths and science, and confounding the greatest minds. Learn about what infinity is, different sizes of infinity and make an infinite paper mobius strip
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Maths Art
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from 1 to 12 x 2 hour sessions
Suitable for adults and children 10 and up
In this class, we will be using knowledge from the wonderful world of mathematics to help us to create works of art.
There is an inherent beauty in math, that is brought to life when drawn upon a page.
Through art, we'll be exploring pi, symmetry, the flower of life, parabolas, fractals, the fibonacci sequence, geometry, pattern, tessellation and other fascinating mathematical concepts.
Materials are included, and we'll be using pencil, pen and watercolour.
Anatomy and Physiology
10 x 2 hour sessions
Suitable for all ages
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An introduction to the inner workings and wonders of the human body.
A brief exploration into the major systems of the body, including the respiratory, digestive, circulatory, immune and nervous systems. Each lesson is studded with interesting facts about the wonderful machine that we inhabit. We'll also discover cells and cell specialisation, homeostasis and the remarkable mechanisms through which our bodies are able to maintain equilibrium.
Classes will include some fun and practical exercises and examples of the topics covered.
Foraging for food
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1 x 3 hour session
Suitable for all ages
Free food!
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Discover how to positively identify a number of different edible weeds and plants that can be easily found around your backyard or local area.
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Learn about which plants are poisonous and need to be avoided.
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Understand safe foraging practices, that will protect the plants and you from harm.
Outdoor Navigation
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2 x 3 hour sessions
Suitable for all ages​
Learn how to confidently find your way when outside.
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This class covers how to find north (and thereby East, South and West) using environmental cues at night and in the day, using the sun, moon and stars. We'll learn how to use a compass, landmarks and a map to locate ones self. We'll also cover the concept of contours, and how to sketch a landscape using a contour map.
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These classes involve some outdoor work.
Practical Algebra and Formulas in physics and chemistry
8 x 2 hour + 30 minute sessions (with 15 minute break)
Suitable for ages 10 and up
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An introduction to algebra and formulas, assuming no prior knowledge and some basic arithmetic skills.
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Using scientific formulas and practical experiments to support an understanding of the algebra, and using the algebra to foster an understanding of the science. This twinning helps students to gain a more tangible understanding of the very abstract concept of algebra.
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This course teaches about what a variable is, how to isolate a variable, and how to solve for a variable.
We'll also study mathematical laws associated with algebra and some factorisation.
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The formulas we'll look at will be for density, measuring gravity and mass on other planets, ohms law and Hookes law (swinging a pendulum).
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Presented in a simple and easy to understand manner.
Practical linear equations with physics and chemistry
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8 x 2 hour + 30 minute sessions (with 15 minute break)
Suitable for ages 10 and up
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Gain a strong understanding of the Cartesian plane and linear equations, using science experiments to support the learning and bring in a tangible understanding of the material.
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Plotting points on an x,y axis from collected data, and using the information to make predictions and extrapolate formulas. Understanding the concepts of slope, midpoint and intercepts.
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An introduction into functions and a brief touch on quadratics.
Creative writing
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1-10 x 2 hour sessions
Suitable for ages 10 and up
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An introduction to the wonderful world of word. Teaching students how to access the stream of words hidden inside of themselves and just waiting to come out. Letting go of attachment to outcome, fear of judgement and allowing the words to roll out, what ever they might be.
Using literary cues, brainstorming, theatre games and creative ideas to allow the student to write in an improvisational manner. Students are often surprised at just how many words they have inside, and how creative and clever they can be with them when they let go.
Including an exploration of metaphor, writing poetry in gibberish to explore form, phrasing and alliteration; understanding archetypes to build characters and symbolism to create mood and scenes.
Foundational Arithmetic
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20 x 2 hours
Suitable for ages 10 and up
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This class could easily be called 'all of primary school mathematics for older students'.
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An in depth study of multiplication, addition, subtraction and division. Building an understanding of the order of operations (BEDMAS), how to work with negative numbers, fractions, decimals and percentages. Students will be working with units of measurement and how to use two different methods to convert between different units, using substitution and an understanding of our base ten metric system. They’ll be learning the prefixes that go with the different units and the Standard International units.
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This class creates a solid understanding of the laws of arithmetic, and with this, a solid platform from which other fields of mathematics can easily grow.
Ancient History of the Earth
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6 x 2 hour sessions
Suitable for all ages
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A look at the beginning of the Earth right up the dawn of man.
An exploration of the early atmosphere of the Earth, the six previous mass extinctions, the Cambrian
explosion and some of the life forms from before this time, including dinosaurs, giant insects, early mammals and communities of single celled organisms.
We'll also be looking at how scientists have found the evidence for this information, including fossils,
carbon dating and ice core samples.
A beautifully presented course helping students to understand what a magnificent place the Earth and all of it inhabitants are.
Foundations of Geometry
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8 x 2 hour sessions
For ages 10 and above
Introduction to Geometry is a great starting point for those who do no have a lot of familiarity with maths, those who have some apprehension around maths, and those who are interested in the beauty and elegance of geometry. Geometry helps to bridge the gap between the abstract language of mathematics and the tangible world in front of us. We'll be using visual cues and drawing to help understand the concepts of geometry. This class will be covering:
- Euclidian geometry (traditional geometry, with three dimensions and straight lines)
- Alternative geometries, including hyperbolic and multidimensionsal
- Angles and lines
- Length, Area and Volume, and the three dimensions
- Properties of circles and pi
- Properties of polygons, including regular polygons
Introduction to Biology
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8 x 2 hour sessions
For ages 10 and above
Introduction to biology is a taster course into the basic tenets of biology. An understanding of biology adds a beautiful dimension to our view of the world and an appreciation for what a marvellous thing it is to be alive, and to be living in a world teaming with living organisms. This class will be covering:
- What is life? The dawn of life and the ancestral tree of life.
- DNA, replication and proteins
- Cells and organelles
- Microbiology, bacteria and viruses
- Plants and plant structures
- Communication between plants and plant hormones
- Animals and Anatomy
- A practical class, looking at scientific method and controlling variables
Introduction to chemistry
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8 x 2 hour sessions
Suitable for ages 10 and above
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This course introduces students to the basics of chemistry. Students will explore atoms, electron clouds, the periodic table, molecular bonds, chemical reactions, lewis dot models, and some simple balancing of chemical equations.
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This beautiful course will add dimensions of new understanding about what makes up the world around us, and how chemistry is what 'holds it all together'.
Early Secondary Math and Science
$30 for one, $20 for siblings
Tuesdays 10am to 12pm or
Wednesdays 10am to 12pm
January 31 to April 4
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This is a two part class, with a maths session, a small break and then a science section.
The mathematics will largely begin with geometry with an aim to understand algebra and the application of formulas. We'll be covering:
- Angles and lines
- Units of measurement
- Length, Area and Volume, and the three dimensions
- Properties of circles and pi
- Properties of polygons, including regular polygons
- Density, gravity, mass and volume
The science part will cover a broad range of topics for example:
- Acids and bases, and pH testing
- The movement of the Sun. Earth and Moon and how these influence the seasons, night and day and the solstices
- Atoms, the periodic table, electrons and atomic bonding
- DNA and gene pools, natural selection and influences on the gene pool
- Neurones and how we learn
- The curvature of space-time
- Cells and their machinery
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Primary Math and Science
$30 for one, $20 for siblings
Tuesdays 1pm to 3pm
January 31 to April 4
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This is a two part class, with a maths session, a small break and then a science section.
The mathematics component of this class will focus on arithmetic including
- Addition and subtraction
- Multiplication and division
- Fractions
- Percentages
- Decimals
The science part will cover a broad range of topics including:
- Acids and bases, and pH testing
- The movement of the Sun. Earth and Moon and how these influence the seasons, night and day and the solstices
- Atoms, the periodic table, electrons and atomic bonding
- DNA and gene pools, natural selection and influences on the gene pool
- Neurones and how we learn
- The curvature of space-time
- Cells and their machinery
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