Upcoming Public Courses

THE GREAT WIKIPEDIA CLEAN-UP PROJECT: USING YOUR RESEARCH SKILLS TO IMPROVE A CROWED-SOURCED GIANT

You hear Wikipedia is unreliable, but you love the content--what's a student to do? In this class, we take on the mission of fact checking, citing sources, and just generally fixing it up! To do so, we learn to properly research a topic, find authoritative sources, and cite them correctly. Pick your favorite subjects and make the world of information a better place, one web page at a time.

Wednesdays    4th-8th grade 3:30-5:30    
Session I: Sept. 22–Dec. 15        12 classes          No class 11/24                                 
$300

Sposored by The Nueva School

650-350-4600 or NuevaSchool.org







BEHIND HARRY POTTER: RESEARCHING THE INSPIRATION FOR THE BOOKS

How did spells get their names? What inspired the culture of house elves? How does Renaissance science appear in the Harry Potter books?  Bring your love of this popular series to the Internet, and learn to search like a pro while you learn where J.K. Rowling found her inspiration!
   
Wednesdays    3rd-5th grade 3:30-5:30    
Session II: Jan. 12- Mar. 16                9 classes          No class 2/23                                    $225

Sposored by The Nueva School

650-350-4600 or NuevaSchool.org







SUPER SEARCHING: ONLINE DETECTIVES RESEARCH IT RIGHT

Treasure and baseball and mummies, oh my! Do you love a good mystery?   Discover the research secrets that can turn you into a master sleuth.   Finding information for your hobby or homework does not have to be hard or take forever. Learn how to search for sound information, emphasizing safe and responsible research. Take on brainteasers and solve mysteries that will teach you the tricks to find the right information efficiently.

Mondays    3rd-5th grade 3:30-5:30    

Session II: Jan 10 –March 16               10 classes          No class 4/20                                    $250

No class 4/5

Sposored by The Nueva School

650-350-4600 or NuevaSchool.org







SUPER SEARCHING

Do you love a good mystery? Discover the research secrets that
can turn you into a master sleuth. Finding information for your
hobby or homework does not have to be hard or take forever.
Learn how to search for sound information, emphasizing safe and
responsible research. Take on brain teasers and solve mysteries
that teach you the tricks to find the right information efficiently.
Bring a snack/drink. $5 lab fee for supplies payable to instructor at
first class.Instructor: Tasha Bergson-Michelson  (5 classes)

18081  8-12Y    M-F   9:30am-12:30pm   7/12-7/16       $132    Youth Ctr 

Sposored by San Carlos Parks & Recreation

650.802.4382 or www.RecConnect.net








AROUND THE WEB WORLD IN 5 DAYS

Do you love studying other cultures, maps and
geography, foreign food? The world is at your doorstep
through the Web, if you know where to look. Learn research skills
that will let you find exactly what you want, plus meet other kids
with interests similar to your own. Bring a snack/drink. $5 lab fee
for supplies payable to instructor at first class. Instructor: Tasha
Bergson-Michelson (5 classes)

18082  9-13Y    M-F   9:30am-12:30pm   7/19-7/23      $132    Youth Ctr NEW!

Sposored by San Carlos Parks & Recreation

650.802.4382 or www.RecConnect.net



SUPER SEARCHERS II--UNDERSTANDING AUTHORITY

This advanced search class teaches students about selecting quality sources as they design their own web page. Be it fact or fiction, their challenge is to design a page based on quality sources, and meeting the requirements for a quality source itself. Instructor approval required.

Grades 3-5 W 3:30-5:00 1/6-2/3 (5 classes)

Sposored by The Nueva School

650-350-4600 or NuevaSchool.org





RESEARCHERS' WORKSHOP

This advanced search class gives students a chance to build on the skills developed in Super Searchers in an open forum, where we takle the issues more challenging to them. In a roundtable setting, we will work on such problems as finding quality sources within one's own reading level, and iterative searching. Instructor approval required.

Grades 3-5 F 3:30-5:00 1/15-5/28 (10 classes)

Sposored by The Nueva School

650-350-4600 or NuevaSchool.org



SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION

Can you connect the Indian bullfrog to Pokémon in six steps? How about candy corn and Genghis Khan? Online research is about getting search engines and other resources to give you pages on your topic, but it is also about reading for clues so you can make connections and draw your own conclusions. In this class, we pick pairs of seemingly random data points and connect the dots between them to practice both traditional information gathering skills and a whole new set of literacies required by the Internet. We will learn how to detect the differences among the links, ads, and other information on a page; how to parse a web page; how to distinguish data from ads and valid information from hoaxes; and where to find kid-friendly information. This course will use kid-safe search engines, but may also employ the popular engines commonly used by adults, while providing the same level of protections that the students receive when searching on any Nueva School computer.

Grades 3-5 M 3:30-5:00 3/1–5/10 (10 classes)

No class 4/5

Sposored by The Nueva School

650-350-4600 or NuevaSchool.org



DESIGN OUR OWN SEARCH INTERFACE

Okay, you can find anything with a search engine, but have you ever wished you could have exactly the search interface you want? Would you like your favorite search functions right in front of you every time? A search page tweaked to only find information on roller coasters? Come and learn the advanced tools your favorite search engines have to offer, and then play with simple code (or more complex, if you like) to create your dream search interface.

Grades 6-8 Tu 3:30-5:00 3/23-5/18 (8 classes)

No class 4/6

Sposored by The Nueva School

650-350-4600 or NuevaSchool.org



SUPER SEARCHING: RESEARCH TOOLS FOR THE MODERN SLEUTH 

Do you love a good mystery? Discover the search secrets that can turn you into a master sleuth. Finding information for your hobby or homework does not have to take forever. Learn how to search for sound information, emphasizing safe and responsible research. Take on fun puzzles, brain teasers, solve a mystery or two, and other challenges that teach you the tricks to find the right information efficiently.

Grades 3 and up W 3:15-4:30pm 2/10 (10 classes)

Sposored by Franklin School, Burlingame

SUPER SEARCHERS II--UNDERSTANDING AUTHORITY 

This advanced search class teaches students about selecting quality
sources as they design their own web page. Be it fact or fiction,
their challenge is to design a page based on quality sources, and
meeting the requirements for a quality source itself. Instructor
approval required.

Grades 3-5 W 3:30-5pm 1/6-2/3 (5 weeks)

Sposored by The Nueva School

650-350-4600 or NuevaSchool.org



RESEARCHERS' WORKSHOP 

This advanced search class gives students a chance to build on the
skills developed in Super Searchers in an open forum, where we tackle
the issues most challenging to them. In a roundtable setting, we will
work on such problems as finding quality sources within one’s own
reading level and iterative searching. Instructor approval required.

Grades 3-5 Th 3:30-5pm 1/14 (10 weeks)

Sposored by The Nueva School

650-350-4600 or NuevaSchool.org



SUPER SEARCHING: RESEARCH TOOLS FOR THE MODERN SLEUTH 

Do you love a good mystery? Discover the search secrets that can turn you into a master sleuth. Finding information for your hobby or homework does not have to take forever. Learn how to search for sound information, emphasizing safe and responsible research. Take on fun puzzles, brain teasers, solve a mystery or two, and other challenges that teach you the tricks to find the right information efficiently.

Grades 3-5 W 3:30-5:00pm 9/30-12/9 (10 classes)

Sposored by The Nueva School

650-350-4600 or NuevaSchool.org



SUPER SEARCHING: RESEARCH TOOLS FOR THE MODERN SLEUTH 

Do you love a good mystery? Discover the search secrets that can turn you into a master sleuth. Finding information for your hobby or homework does not have to take forever. Learn how to search for sound information, emphasizing safe and responsible research. Take on fun puzzles, brain teasers, solve a mystery or two, and other challenges that teach you the tricks to find the right information efficiently.

16384 Ages 8-12 M-F 9:30-12:30pm 7/20-7/24 San Carlos Youth Center

Sposored by San Carlos Parks & Recreation

650.802.4382 or www.RecConnect.net



HISTORY'S MYSTERIES: ONLINE RESEARCH FOR THE AMATEUR HISTORIAN
History lovers, here's your chance to go beyond the textbook and become a historical investigator! We look at several historical msteries, and learn new methods for researchinthem online. This course delivers in-depth research skills you need to investigate historical questions, ad gives you the tools to find information from which to draw your own conclusions. Not only are the skills you learn applicable across all our subjects at school, you'll really have a blast!

16385 Ages 10-14 M-F 1:00-4:00pm 7/20-7/24 San Carlos Youth Center

Sponsored by San Carlos Parks & Recreation
650.802.4382 or www.RecConnect.net



PATENTS--INSPIRING THE INNOVATOR IN YOU
Are you a creator? Inventors rely on inspiration, but they also need to understand what has come before. Whether they are designing the perfect push-pin, a trampoline room, or a software development framework, professionals use patents as a foundation for innovation. Come learn about the patent process: imagine a new invention, research the prior art, and prepare your own patent application. You'll want to hold on to what you learn--you'll need it for your future inventions! (Please note: this is a conceptual class for building basic intellectual property research skills, and should not be construed as legal advice.)

W 3:30-5:00 1/28-2/4, no class 2/18 Media Lab
Sponsored by The Nueva School in Hillsborough, CA
650.350.4600 or www.nuevaschool.org



SCIENCE SEARCH: UNCOVERING VALIDITY ON THE WILD WEB 6th-8th grade
Wednesdays 3:30-5:00 pm Mar 11-May 20 No class 4/8
Even before a scientist gets to the lab, another kind of research has to take place. Secondary research is the bedrock of hands-on investigation. The internet is becoming more intuitive all the time, but trying to find valid scientific information quickly and easily still makes it look like the Wild West. Come learn where to look for legitimate scientific information and become acquainted with the tools to help you find what you need.

W 3:30-5:00 3/11-5/20, no class 4/8 Media Lab
Sponsored by The Nueva School in Hillsborough, CA
650.350.4600 or www.nuevaschool.org



SUPER SEARCHING: RESEARCH TOOLS FORTHE MODERN SLEUTH
Do you love a good mystery? Discover the search secrets that can turn you into a master sleuth! Finding information for your schoolwork or interest does not have to be hard or take forever. You will learn how to search for sound information as we emphasize safe and responsible research. Come take on fun puzzles, brain teasers, and other challenges that teach you the master sleuth's tricks to find the right information efficiently. Be on your way to hassle-free homework in no time! This course will go beyond kid-safe search engines to use the popular engines commonly used by adults, and will provide the same level of protections the children receive when searching on any Nueva School computer.

Session I

Grades 5-9

M-Th 2:40-3:30/3:50-4:50 7/7-7/24 College of San Mateo Campus
Sponsored by College For Kids in San Mateo

Session II

Grades 3-5
Mondays 3:30-5:00 pm Mar. 2-May 18 No class 3/9, 4/6, 4/13 Media Lab
Sponsored by The Nueva School in Hillsborough, CA
650.350.4600 or www.nuevaschool.org



HISTORY'S MYSTERIES: ONLINE RESEARCH FOR
THE AMATEUR HISTORIAN
History lovers, here's your chance to go beyond the textbook and become an historical investigator! We look at several historical mysteries, and learn new methods for researching them online. This course delivers in-depth research skills you need to investigate historical questions, and gives you the tools to find information from which to draw your own conclusions. Not only are the skills you learn applicable across all your subjects at school,
you'll really have a blast! Bring a sack lunch/drink. $5 lab fee for supplies is payable to instructor at first class.

Session I

Grades 6-8
14325 10-13YM-F 10:00am-1:00pm 7/21-7/25 San Carlos Youth Ctr
Sponsored by San Carlos Parks & Recreation
650.802.4382 or www.RecConnect.net

Session 2

Grades 6-8

Media Lab
Sponsored by The Nueva School in Hillsborough, CA
650.350.4600 or www.nuevaschool.org



RESEARCH IT RIGHT
Success in school increasingly requires students to spend countless hours on
online research--yet schools are not providing the training they need. Research
It Right trains middle schoolers in essential skills to excel and enjoy research
while reducing homework time: framing research questions correctly, learning to
"communicate" effectively with online tools, judging the quality of an online source,
searching safely and many other critical tools.


Grades 6-8

M-F 1:00-2:30 8/11-8/15 Jewish Community Center of San Francisco
Sponsored by the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco



POWER SEARCHING FOR SUCCESS
High school students learn critical skills for success in high school and college
research assignments, including reframing research questions, building search
strategies, picking effective keywords, using directories and Boolean searching.
They are also introduced to expert strategies for searching the Invisible Web, finding
invisible conepts, comparing search engines, analyzing site quality, creating tip
sheets and more.


Grades 9-12

M-F 2:30-4:00 8/11-8/15 Jewish Community Center of San Francisco
Sponsored by the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco

If there are no courses scheduled in your area, please call to schedule individual and small group tutoring:

Phone: 650.922.7363
E-mail: info@tothepointresearch.com