High School Electives

My daughter and I had a guidance counselor meeting for over an hour discussing what her interests are, plans for the future and things she would like to do and/or study.  I was shocked to learn about some of the things she wants to learn about, I had no idea!  We are both excited about the next 4 years of high school!  It looks to be an exciting time for her.

Here is the electives list, which may change as we have a meeting before each year.

Intro to Aviation
Space Technology & Engineering
Computer Courses (pretty much ALL - programming, science, IT, game/web design, etc.)
Photography
Robotics
Drones & Commercial License
Psychology
Meteorology
Outdoor Education (hiking, etc.)
Teen Entrepreneurship
Graphic Design
Business Advertising
Home Economics
Sewing
Personal Finance
Driver's Ed (required course)

I had no idea she had an interest in weather!  I think that is great and will go along with getting her pilot's license. I was also surprised at the sewing choice.  She took an interest in Sociology but she wasn't sure, so we left it out.

9th Grade High School Courses

9th Grade will be the fullest year with the most credits compared to the rest of high school.  She was just so interested in doing so many things!


Core Subjects
English I
Algebra I
Latin I
Biology I
American History I

Electives
Bible I
Information Technology
Intro to Aviation & Aeronautics
Computer Keyboarding
Sewing
Physical Education
Health

Total Credits - 10

Extracurricular Activities
Flight Lessons/Hours
Aviation Clubs
Church Youth Group
Church Devotional Reading (Public Speaking)


*Sewing, Computer Keyboarding, PE and Health are 1/2 credit each.  Every other subject is 1 full credit.

Flight Training Complete - Ready for the Skies!

Our 14yr old daughter completed her indoor flight simulation training and is ready to fly from our small airport to the next major city!  The flight instructor told us that the simulation training is actually harder than flying a real plane.  He was very impressed with how she comprehended and retained the training.  He said everything he threw at her, she picked up quickly!  He also said she flies very good.  This means a lot to me as a homeschooling mother, because it just shows that our education method worked!  He is one of many that have noticed how well educated, confident and social our daughter is.  Thanks be unto God!

This coming week she flies the plane by herself, with the flight instructor at the side if needed, but YES, she does it all herself!  Takeoff, flying, landing - the whole shebang!  We are beyond proud and ecstatic for her and that she has found her element.  I pray that God uses it for His glory and to fulfill His destiny for her.  Fly baby girl, fly!

Pathway to Become an Astronaut

My daughter has wanted to be an astronaut since 1st grade and she has never lost her interest in all things space throughout the years.  Upon questioning her about what pathway to focus on through high school, it is still a lifelong dream to be the first person/astronaut on Mars to survive and come back!  She also wants to be the first astronaut in a skirt.  She also likes the idea of being a Software Engineer or programming drones or robots.  All of these really do fit together when you think about it and there are so many roads with these interests that lead to being an astronaut.

We do believe as part of our religious beliefs that women are to marry, be homemakers and bear children.  Our daughter has also said this is her main goal in life above all but wants to learn about being an astronaut, go to space camp and be a solo software engineer on her own (without college).

We have talked about the benefits for the gospel in having a pilot's license and how it could be used if she was to marry a missionary.  I blogged about the Aviation/Aeronautics course she is going to take to fulfill that there in this post: http://www.cambridgeshireacademy.com/2018/04/high-school-aviationaeronautics-ground.html

Why be a pilot?  Well, it is something most likely required to be an Astronaut and it pays to have that background early on.  Here are the current requirements to be an Astronaut from NASA:

So, What Does It Take to Be an Astronaut?

Astronaut requirements have changed with NASA's goals and missions. A pilot's license and engineering experience is still one route a person could take to becoming an astronaut, but it’s no longer the only one. Today, to be considered for an astronaut position, U.S. citizens must meet the following qualifications:

1. A bachelor's degree in engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science or mathematics.
2. At least three years of related professional experience obtained after degree completion OR at least 1,000 hours pilot-in-command time on jet aircraft.
3. The ability to pass the NASA long-duration astronaut physical. Distant and near visual acuity must be correctable to 20/20 for each eye. The use of glasses is acceptable.

Astronaut candidates must also have skills in leadership, teamwork and communications.

NASA's Astronaut Selection Board reviews the applications (a record-breaking 18,300 in 2016) and assesses each candidate's qualifications. The board then invites about 120 of the most highly qualified candidates to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, for interviews. Of those interviewed, about half are invited back for a second round. Once the final astronauts are selected, they must complete a two-year training period.

With NASA's plans for the future of exploration, new astronauts will fly farther into space than ever before on lunar missions and may be the first to fly on to Mars.

High School Aviation/Aeronautics Ground School & Flying

Our daughter has decided she wants to take an Aviation/Aeronautics course, also known as Private Pilot Ground School and begin flying lessons.  In our state (probably same for others I assume), you can fly solo at age 16, and get a pilot's license at 17.  We live close to a flying school and small airport that offers this.  She will also be adding in drone lessons and get a license to operate commercial drones but first, she wants to complete the Aviation course and get some flying in.

You can find many Aviation courses online at various prices but there is also one free from NASA here: https://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/Wright/index.htm

We are paying for her course with the school because it guarantees you will pass the FAA knowledge test that is required to have before getting your license.  What she will learn in the course is:  Aerodynamics, how airplane systems work, weather to know, FAA regulations, principles of navigation, aeromedical factors, stall/spin awareness, and incident/accident reporting requirements.

My husband and I are excited she chose this because we are both veterans of the US Air Force and it only seems natural that one of our kids would have pursued aviation.

High School Math Credits with Saxon

I'm so thankful for Art Reed and his book, Using John Saxon's Math Books.  I've owned this book and read it for the middle school years but hadn't read it for high school.  I'm glad I did because I learned that the Advanced Mathematics book, counts as 2 high school credits and will take about 2 years to complete.  I've redone our math plan for high school since learning this and cut out Calculus for 12th grade, although she may be able to start it if she finishes Advanced Mathematics early.

9th Grade - Algebra I

10th Grade - Algebra II

11th Grade - Geometry w/Advanced Algebra (1st 90 lessons of Advanced Mathematics)

12th Grade - Trigonometry & Pre-Calculus (2nd half of lessons of Advanced Mathematics)

This gives us 4 high school credits and should prepare her well for the SAT in her Senior year.  I'm hoping as she works year-round, she can finish Advanced Mathematics by the middle of 11th grade to take the PSAT.

We will continue using the Saxon Teacher CDs with each book and also adding in Art Reed's DVDs.