Come and tell me about some slightly more obscure but interesting courses / exams

[ohmygosh123]

Another thread on the extra curricular section mentioned the Planet Earth Astronomy course - well that's one I'd never heard of and looks pretty interesting.

Are there any other good ones out there that you have found. Any topic - science, music, geography, history related, or completely and utterly obscure. Basically the kind of thing that isn't too huge, but would capture the attention of a 11-14 year old.

The The Elcetronic Wizards Apprenticeship really appealed to my DD and a number of her friends when they were that age.

I think they are well used to dealing with HE kids too. I met the bloke behind this at HesFes and his enthusiasm is very infectious!
You can have a skype session if there are any problem with any of the packages and there is a private apprentices forum, for the kids to chat to each other.

"Just about the most exciting thing a Boy or Girl could do!

Do you have a child that is full of wacky inventions and ideas? Help them get a good grounding with 'The Electronic Wizards Apprenticeship'.

This fantastic inspirational Postal Course is an adventure into the magical world of electronics, starting with the basics, and rapidly building to more advanced practice. Giving you an insight into the workings behind technology & helping you understand some of the ?Magic? that holds our modern world together. (Please note: References to Wizard, Magic, Spells Etc. are simply a Theme to make the course more Fun, there is no Religious or Belief system being promoted by their use. There are a few gentle nudges to Philosophy & common sense using quotes from Einstein etc.... life is an adventure!)
The Course is very practical and hands on. Each package contains everything needed to make a fantastic project, whatever this week?s mystery project contains, it will be sure to amaze and excite you! "

Different astronomy courses, including GCSE, used by home educators here

ECDL - European Computer Driving Licence? Mostly how to use office type stuff, from what I gather - you study modules and can then sit a test, held in a variety of places.

If your DC has any interest in animals, then [[http://www.compass-education.co.uk/opencart/index.php?route=common/home Compass Education ]] do loads of courses. Years ago my then 10 year old did a couple of modules of the Introduction to Zoology course, and enjoyed that. (She didn't carry on because she started school.)

From a HE Dad that I know, who has given permission to share this widely:

I've been involved in delivering ASDAN courses in schools for the last 10 years and can't recommend them highly enough. They're massively flexible and allow the accreditation of pretty much any activity - there are courses ranging from Mathematics and English to Adventure and Expressive Arts. They are all portfolio based so there's no issue with having to find exam centres. As the portfolios can be evidenced in any way, from written diaries to video recording, they can be tailored to suit any style or learning/recording information. ASDAN courses are delivered in thousands of UK schools and are widely recognised so have real value for children looking at applying to FE colleges.

I believe they'd be ideally suited to the majority of HE children. So much so that I've met with the awarding body and set up as a registered centre specifically to offer access to these courses to the HE community.

There are also downloadable sample books for all of the courses on the website.

As an introductory offer, until next Monday, all course registrations have 1/3 off the usual price and are only £50.

If you have any questions pop over to the Open Access Education FB page, I'll keep checking that regularly.

Such fantastic opportunities.

Not a course as such-but certainly something that would have kept my dd2 happy and engaged if we'd known about it then
The Lego Club for Homeschoolers is completely free-and brilliant IMO!

"Do you have a Lego enthusiast who could spend hours and hours every day engrossed with creative building? Do you have so many Legos in your house that you never know when you'll suck up one with your vacuum cleaner? Do you sometimes get down the floor with your clever builders and create something of your own?

Well this club is for you and your family! The educational benefits of Legos are known far and wide and now you'll have access to a safe, online environment for your kids to make new friends, use their imaginations, and work through challenges. Did I mention this club is 100% free!

Club Specifics:
Meetings will take place once a week for the first four Mondays of the month.
All meetings of the month will be identical. Please choose which one works for your family's schedule.
Meetings will last 60 minutes and will always take place at 3:00pm central standard time.
Lessons will be taught by our main moderator and teacher Roni Bergerson of Eastern Wind Academy.
Each month will have a theme, a lesson plan, show and tell, and challenge activities.
During each meeting, children will have the opportunity to hold a 3 minute show and tell of something that they have built. This could be a unique creation or a purchased set. Presentations could be shared live via webcam or via a photo Powerpoint presentation"

How about First Aid qualifications whcih are all free for a young person attending St Johns Ambulance.