Course Description

This course will include instruction in the following topics: Newton’s Laws of Motion; Momentum, Work, Energy, and Power; Gravity, Rotational and Projectile Motion; Vibrations, Waves, and Sound; Electricity and Magnetism; Light, Reflection and Refraction.  In order to qualify as a lab science, significant time must be spent doing hands-on investigations. This will include about 16 to 20 labs conducted over the course of the school year, as well as numerous less formal demonstrations and explorations. Most of these activities will be done during class, while some may be conducted by the student at home with household materials, and some will be done using a virtual lab simulation program.

NOTE: While the textbook emphasizes conceptual understanding before calculations, this is NOT a no-math class. Students will regularly be applying problem-solving techniques learned in Algebra. Honors students will additionally use Geometry or Algebra 2 skills.

This class is designed to supplement the work the student is doing at home. Students are responsible for reading and understanding all information in the covered sections, whether or not it is specifically taught during class. There are many videos created by our textbook author, which will be made available for viewing. The emphasis in class will be on introducing new concepts, conducting hands-on investigations, and working through sample problems.

In addition to mastering the specific skills taught in the text, the student will be developing experimental techniques, including taking measurements, performing calculations, creating graphs of the data obtained, and drawing conclusions.

To be successful in this class:

To be successful in this course: 

• Students must log into Jupiter Ed, our online assignments, grading, and messaging system daily. Most assignments will be completed on or uploaded to JE.
• Students must be  willing to spend about four to five hours outside of class per week reading, viewing videos, solving problems, answering questions, and writing lab reports.
• Students need to be able to apply Algebra and Geometry skills to solving equations in Physics.
• Students must work cooperatively and safely during labs and investigations.
• Students must “think like a scientist”, continually applying sound reasoning to answer questions and problems. Students will need to be able to make sense of counter-intuitive principles and concepts.
• Successful students will be making connections between the concepts studied in class and situations they encounter in their out-of-class life.

Grades: 9th Grade, 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade

Course Tuition and Enrollment Fees can be found HERE. If applicable, see below for additional course fees (supply, lab, textbook, etc.)

Additional Course Fees: $25 lab fee

Prerequisites:

Honors students need to have completed Algebra 1 plus either Geometry or Algebra 2 with the other being taken concurrently.

Summer homework: There will be a brief Summer assignment that students will be required to complete before the first day of class. It will involve reading Chapter 1 and completing a Juno Pod (online assessment). It should take about one hour to complete.

Course Credit: 1 Honors Lab Science Credit