Dimensional analysis is a powerful tool used by physicists and engineers to come up with equations for complex physical phenomena that cannot be analyzed from first principle. It is a technique often ignored in standard education. An example application of dimensional analysis is in fluid mechanics, where first principle analysis of the physical system is difficult because fluid flow can be very complex. However, we can "guess" the correct form of the formula for drag force using dimensional analysis without doing any detailed physical analysis of the system.

This class can hopefully convince you that even a bright city sky can’t dim your fascination with the stars - whether you’re in 7th grade or getting ready to graduate, you’ll learn how to use star charts, cool smartphone apps, and simple binoculars to find everything from the Moon’s craters to clusters of distant suns. Imagine stepping outside on a busy evening and confidently pointing out constellations and spotting all the different planets in our neighborhood, even with streetlights glowing all around you - think about the aura points you can gain! With plenty of hands-on activities and applied physical intuition, you’ll quickly discover that you don’t need to live out in the countryside to fall in love with astronomy. You’ll track the Moon’s phases, explore the history and myths behind the stars, and get a glimpse into the scale of our universe and what all the astronomers are talking about. Best of all, you’ll develop valuable scientific skills and a new sense of wonder, all while looking up at a night sky that’s a little closer than you might think.