AV’s project book covers:
Topics studied:
Geography of the eastern seaboard with specific attention to the southern South Carolina coastline and particular detail of the St. Helena and Port Royal Sounds;
History of the War of Northern Aggression with attention to lighthouse needs for the Union Navy and late 19th century Philidelphia; history and uses of light ships; history of Fresnel Lenses and their production;
Physics of Fresnel Lenses and construction of cast iron lighthouses.
Life skills worked on:
Time management: making a plan and not getting distracted
Writing: writing rough drafts and revising until final is more polished
Art: brush stroke, “washing’ water color, using rubber cement glue, aging paper, page thematics, placement of elements for artistic pleasure, using a light box
Construction: Sizing and cutting wood, sanding, preparing staining, and drilling wood
Practical Math: measurement of wood, paper, spacial and geometric recognition.
He still is lacking a few design elements that he will remember later – headings on the pages like on the Maps page. And he wants to add two more pages. One on the phosphorous trade and one on the fauna of the island.





