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HS Physics - Rube-Goldberg Challenge
Mondays @ 10:30am - 12:00pm
Ages 14-18/Grades 9-12
This is a High School Physics course, that has a fun and hands on final project! The Class will cover the standards of High School Physical Science as well as Engineering, Technology, and Applications based in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). This includes everything about human anatomy and physiology, including topics such as the Newton's Laws of Motion, Waves, Mirrors, Collisions, Thermodynamics, Magnets, Electric Circuits, etc. . This class will include both "in person" and “at home labs” where they will learn the scientific method as well as the standard format for lab write-ups. The "super" fun final project is where the students will create their very own Rube-Goldberg Machine using the physics they have learned. A Rube-Goldberg Machine is a complicated series of precise events that are required to do what would normally be a very simple task. The game "Mouse Trap" is a type of Rube-Goldberg Machine. By first exploring the principle of physics then figuring out what they want to create, then building and testing their contraption, they get a meaningful experience that will be with them for the rest of their lives.
This methodology used in the course will teach your student WHY THEY CARE ABOUT PHYSICS. You might think the last statement would be obvious. However, over the 20+ years of teaching, what I have discovered is lacking from most courses is how it directly relates to the students’ lives and future educational/professional goals. How many times have you heard the words, “I’ll never use __________ in life! Why am I learning it!” I make sure that each student understands, no matter what they end up doing in their life, this course will help them comprehend how the world around them works. I make an effort to learn what those goals interests are, so I can be sure to point it out.
During this course we will have discussions on the topics (not lectures). There will usually be some slides and some notes for them to take. We will also have some quizzes and exams to encourage them to study and these make great samples if you are with a charter school. There will also be lots of outside resources that will help your learner to understand the material according to their learning style. We try a multi prong attack of reading, visuals, videos, projects, and of course class time to be sure that each person understands the material. Each day will consist of going over the answers to the quiz or homework assignment from the week prior. This is where we will discuss and answer any remaining questions. Then, we will have our discussion about the new science topics. Finally, depending on the day, we will also discuss any labs that they might have completed since our last session. The students will have a list of what we will cover each week that is sent out as students enroll in the classes.
peterdavid@sdlaa.com
(858)268-4011