Frequently asked questions
How long is the course?
Physics For Makers is designed as a year‑long, self‑paced (asynchronous) course with 8 units and 16 Crates.
Our students who beta-tested this course met one day per week, and comfortably kept a pace of 1 unit per month. But you can go through the course at whatever pace you like.
What level of math is required in the Grades 9-12 course?
Algebra and Geometry
Do parents need physics knowledge to help kids with this course?
No — my job is to know the physics. Parents' job is to make sure their kids follow the course materials. This curriculum is about as plug-and-play as you can get, which is perfect for parents who might be a little scared of math-heavy sciences.
If I pre-order, when will my order arrive?
You'll receive access to the complete, finalized online curriculum by September 1, 2026. Your physical kits that accompany the course will ship no later than that date.
Will this course become available for other grade levels?
Yes — We intend to write this curriculum to accommodate all levels of education. Eventually, we will have Physics For Makers courses available for all of the following academic levels:
- Early Elementary | Grades K-2
- Late Elementary | Grades 4-5
- Middle School | Grades 6-8
- High School | Grades 9-12 (Not AP Level)
- AP Physics | Grades 11-Early College
After the Physics For Makers course for grades 9-12 launches, which academic level will become available next?
Our next project is to write and test this course for Middle School (Grades 6-8) which will be scheduled to launch in time for the 2027-2028 school year.
STEM Learning Options Comparison
| Physics for Makers + 16 Kits | Build Box | Hack Pack | Tinker Crate | Eureka Crate | Fundementals of Physics | Exploring Creation with Physics | Saxon Physics | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Company | Creator's Craft Crates | CrunchLabs | CrunchLabs | KiwiCo | KiwiCo | Science Shepherd | Apologia | Saxon Publishers |
| Type | Full Curriculum + Kits | Monthly Kits | Bi-monthly Kits | Monthly Kits | Monthly Kits | Curriculum Only | Curriculum Only | Curriculum Only |
| Age Range | 14+ | 8–13 | 14+ | 9–12 | 12+ | 13-14 | 14+ | 14+ |
| Price Model | One-time purchase | Subscription | Subscription | Subscription | Subscription | One-time purchase | One-time purchase | One-time purchase |
| Price Per Kit (USD) | $25.00 | $27.45 | $66.65 | $24.00 | $24.00 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Kits Per Year | 16 | 12 | 6 | 12 | 12 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Reusability | High (designed for iteration) | Medium | High (programmable systems) | Low–medium | Medium | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Standards Aligned Curriculum? | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Curriculum Cost | $100.00 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $198.00 | $129.00 | $154.25 |
| Total Annual Cost (USD) | $500.00 | $329.40 | $399.90 | $288.00 | $288.00 | $198.00 | $129.00 | $154.25 |
| Includes Curriculum? | Yes (full-year course) | Partial (video explanations) | Partial (coding + videos) | No (activity guide only) | No (activity guide only) | Yes (full-year course) | Yes (full-year course) | Yes (full-year course) |
| Depth of Learning | Deep conceptual physics + engineering | Moderate conceptual + entertainment | Moderate–high (coding + electronics) | Moderate (guided projects) | Moderate (project-based) | Deep but boring | Deep but boring (Mostly Just Reading) | Deep but boring (Mostly Just Reading) |
| Focus Area | Physics + Engineering | Engineering + physics demos | Robotics + coding | General STEM (varied topics) | Engineering + design | Physics Only | Physics Only | Physics Only |