For the online classes, enrollment is accepted at any time. For the live classes, enrollments are accepted through the beginning of the second semester (January). Different families have a variety of circumstances, such as moving, or deciding mid-year to switch to homeschooling, or other situations. I try to be as flexible as possible in accommodating various situations. If a student joins the class after the class has started, he or she can use the online videos of the lectures to get caught up and on track.

Yes. I have had numerous people join classes at various points in the year for various reasons. If you end up taking just part of a class, you only need to pay for part of the class. Figuring out just how much to pay if you only take part of a class is a fairly simple math problem involving ratios, which, incidently, is covered in the Algebra 1 class.

The typical math sequence is: Prealgebra, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Precalculus, Calculus. Algebra 2 may be taken before Geometry if desired.

Most students take Algebra 1 in the 8th or 9th grade. Some advanced students take Algebra 1 in the 7th grade, but that is not common.

It depends on how far along you have progressed in the Saxon curriculum. The Saxon math series does not contain a course in Geometry. The geometry instruction is instead interspersed throughout the Saxon books. Homeschool parents have told me that they have talked to college admissions people about this, and that the colleges have considered the Geometry coverage in the Saxon books to be perfectly adequate. Therefore, if you have completed the Saxon math series through Advanced Math, or intend to complete it, you probably do not need a separate Geometry course.

Typically, the sequence is Algebra 1, then Geometry, then Algebra 2. Geometry could conceivably be taken any time after Algebra 1. Some people prefer to take Algebra 1 and then Algebra 2 to maintain the continuity of the study of Algebra. While this is possible, it should be remembered that Algebra 2 is a more difficult class and many students prefer to wait an extra year before tackling the material in Algebra 2. Also, there is a strong continuity from Algebra 2 to Precalculus.

The Greek mathematician Euclid of Alexandria developed the first systematic study of geometry. Starting with a few basic definitions and simple concepts that were accepted as self evident, he proceeded to logically prove the many theorems that make up the field of Geometry. The term Euclidean Geometry is used to refer to both this comprehensive system of theorems and to the rigorous logical method that Euclid used. The Geometry course described here is Euclidean in both senses of the term, and also includes some introductory Analytic Geometry.

Euclid developed his sytem of Geometry in a rigorous, logical manner. Each idea was only accepted as true if it could be proved to be true based on ideas that were already known and accepted. A formal proof is the logical demonstration that a particular theorem is true. The Geometry course described here uses proofs and logical reasoning in this manner to develop much of the material that is covered during the class. Euclidean geometry is "proof-based".

Analytic Geometry is sometimes referred to as "geometry in the coordinate plane." Lines, angles, and geometric shapes are placed in the x-y plane, and the points and lines are given specific coordinates and lengths. Rather than dealing simply with the deductive approach of Euclid, more practical problems can be approached and solved. Analytic geometry contains concepts that are important for the student to grasp in order to do more advanced study in math, particularly calculus. Most geometry courses, including this one, contain some material on analytic geometry.

Not necessarily, but it is probably a good idea to take Precalculus. Most colleges require at least one math course that is more advanced than Algebra 2. The precalculus course fills that requirement. Also, even if a student is not planning to take calculus during high school, there is a good chance that it may be required when they get to college, and the precalculus class is important preparation.

Yes. This class has passed the AP Course Audit for the 2014-2015 school year and is approved by the College Board to bear the "AP" designation. The class is designed to prepare students for the AP Calculus AB exam and covers all of the course content for AP Caclulus AB as set by the College Board.

Algebra 1 is the only math course required as a prerequisite for the Physics course. Some trigonometry is used in the class, but it is taught as part of the course, so a student need not have had Algebra 2 or Trigonometry before taking physics. If a student has already studied trigonometry, there will simply be a little review, which probably won't hurt. Most students take Physics concurrently with Algebra 2 or Precalculus, but it may be taken any time after completing Algebra 1.

The course seeks a middle ground between being an overly difficult "killer" course and an overly simplistic "crip" course. That said, the course does contain a lot of content. Numerous topics are covered, and there is a lot of conceptual as well as factual information to learn, and a good deal of math. Remember that the course is offered on two difficulty levels, Standard and Honors. If you are worried about the difficuly, you can always enroll in the Standard course.

Certainly. This course often helps students with their math. A lot of algebra is reviewed and then used throughout the physics course. In addition, simple right triangle trigonometry is introduced and explained from first principles. Physics makes use of the math that students learn in their math classes. After a month or two of physics, it is not uncommon to hear students exclaim, "Oh, this is why we learned all that math!" Students usually get better at their algebra as a result of taking the physics course.

Some schools put physics at the end of the science curriculum. That is, the students take Biology, then Chemistry, then Physics. More recently, however, many schools have been reversing the order and teaching Physics, then Chemistry, and then Biology. The reason for this is that logically and chronologically, Physics does in fact come first. The theories of Physics were developed first, historically. From an understanding of certain physical concepts, such as subatomic particles and the forces acting on them, the study of chemistry arises. From an understanding of chemical processes, such as those that take place in a cell, the study of biology arises. There is a good logical argument, therefore, for putting Physics first, followed by Chemistry and Biology. In practice, it has been seen to work well both ways.

It can work well either way. Whether the course is a good course or not will depend primarily on other factors, such as the quality of the instruction and the motivation of the student. Putting Physics first or last in the science curriculum is not a "make it or break it" issue. Mr. Owens has taught Physics and Honors Physics as students' first high school science course, and AP Physics as students' last high school science course.

Yes, this course contains a minimum of 10 lab experiments and counts as a lab science course. If for some reason you need more than 10 lab exercises then more can be provided. In the lab exercises, students will

1. conduct experiments dealing with measurement, data collection and analysis, and graphing,
2. perform an experiment similar to Galileo's inclined plane experiment,
3. perform experiments with falling bodies and the acceleration of gravity,
4. perform an inertia experiment,
5. perform an experiment dealing with work, energy, and horsepower,
6. experimentally discover certain properties of a simple pendulum,
7. experimentally verify theories of refraction,
8. build and test low voltage electrical circuits.

This course covers many, but not all, of the topics on the SAT II subject test in Physics. Students who wish to do further work to fully prepare for the SAT II test may receive guidance for continued independent study.

Students may take the class from home, or actually from anywhere. They view the lectures on a computer, and send and receive written work through the mail, email, or fax. Otherwise, an online course is the same course they would take if they attended the classes. The material covered is the same, as is the textbook, homework assignments, tests, and exams.

• Online classes have a completely flexible schedule.
• Online students may begin a course at any time during the year.
• Online students avoid travel time and time in traffic, which can make a big difference in a city like Atlanta.
• The online classes are cheaper.

Disadvantages:

• Online students do not have the face-to-face interaction with the instructor and the other students during class. They are, however, able to ask questions via email at any time.

Yes, Calculus has been available as an online class since 2010.

Students receive videos of the lectures either over the web or on computer media. The students do not see me, but they hear my voice and see my handwriting appearing on the screen, as if it were an electronic chalk board. The videos contain the same content as the lectures delivered in class, and they match the lecture notes given to the students. If a student misses class, he or she can receive the same content by watching the lecture on a home computer. Students also find the videos useful for reviewing for tests, and for going over difficult concepts a second or third time if needed. Click for Sample Lecture Notes and Sample Video.

Yes. The videos are available for all chapters of every course.

Yes. The videos are in HTML5 format which should play on a Mac.

Yes. The videos are avaialbe in HTML5 format which should play on Linux devices.

Short answer: Yes, you can use our classes following the NCAA initial-eligibility certification process for home school students. Click here for more information.

Long answer: The NCAA considers our courses as homeschool classes rather than courses in a non-traditional program. Click here for more information on the NCAA initial-eligibility certification process for home school students. A NCAA Core Course Worksheet for each class taken with DerekOwens.com/Lucid Education must be completed, and we can assist you in filling these out accurately. All of our accurately completed Core Course Worksheets have been accepted by the NCAA.

These physics and math classes may be a bit more expensive than some others you might find. Please know that every effort is made to see that they are worth the cost. Also consider that the same course at a good private school might cost two to three thousand dollars, so it is still very inexpensive by comparison.

Some people have in fact told me that I am charging too little. The ability of people to pay, however, varies widely, and I want to keep the classes affordable to as many people as possible.

No. You may pay in advance if you wish to, but it is certainly not required. Payment is at minimum monthly, but no more than 9 months so you can pay in any denomination you choose. You are responsible for payment, and we do not keep credit card information on file. Please check your junk email folder if you do not receive an emailed invoice on the monthly plan.

Not all students require the same pace and difficulty level. Some may need or prefer a class that is more challenging and at a faster pace, while some may desire a class that is not accelerated. Offering two levels of difficulty allows the class to accomodate a broader range of student.

No. The Honors version of a course is not an AP course, and is not designed to prepare a student for an AP exam. The Honors course is simply a more challenging version of the same course. The goal is for the Standard and Honors versions of the courses to closely correspond to Standard and Honors courses at a good private school. AP courses are specifically designed to be college level courses.

The Honors version of a class will require some additional work and will be more difficult. The lectures are the same for both versions of a class, although a few sections will be optional for the Regular class. Honors students will have more difficult homework assignments and more difficult tests.

You don't have to know in order to enroll. During the first month of class (or longer if necessary), students will be given both the Regular and the Honors homework assignments and tests, so that they can consider which might be more appropriate. Deciding usually becomes relatively simple. If the Regular material is too easy, enroll in the Honors class. If the Honors material is too difficult, enroll in the Regular class. Usually, about one fourth to one third of the students take the Honors version of the course.