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Physics First
Physics First is an educational program that teaches a
basic physics course in the ninth grade (usually
15-year-olds), rather than the biology course which is
more standard in public schools. This course relies on
the limited math skills that the students have from
pre-algebra and algebra I. With these skills students
study simple kinematics, free fall, Newton's laws of
motion, Newton's law of gravity, momentum, experimental
analysis and qualitative descriptions of parabolic
motion, simple machines (e.g. the lever, gears, pulley),
kinetic energy and potential energy, power and work, an
introduction to direct current electricity and simple
electrical circuits, magnetism, wave motion (mostly
hands-on and experimental and qualitative, very little
math), the nature of the electromagnetic spectrum.
It began as an organized movement among educators around
1990, and has been slowly catching on throughout the
United States. The most prominent movement championing
Physics First is Leon Lederman's ARISE (American
Renaissance in Science Education).
Many proponents of Physics First argue that turning this
order around lays the foundations for better
understanding of chemistry, which in turn will lead to
more comprehension of biology. Due to the tangible
nature of most introductory physics experiments, Physics
First also lends itself well to an introduction to
inquiry-based science education, where students are
encouraged to probe the workings of the world in which
they live.
The majority of high schools which have implemented
"physics first" do so by way of offering two separate
classes, at two separate levels: simple physics concepts
in 9th grade, followed by more advanced physics courses
in 11th or 12th grade. In schools with this curriculum,
nearly all 9th grade students take a "Physical Science",
or "Introduction to Physics Concepts" course. These
courses focus on concepts that can be studied with
skills from pre-algebra and algebra I. With these ideas
in place, students then can be exposed to ideas with
more physics related content in chemistry, and other
science electives. After this, students are then
encouraged to take an 11th or 12th grade course in
Physics, which does use more advanced math, including
vectors, geometry, and more involved algebra.
There is a large overlap between the Physics First
movement, and the movement towards teaching conceptual
physics - teaching physics in a way that emphasizes a
strong understanding of physical principles over
problem-solving ability. Many Physics First programs use
the popular textbook "Conceptual Physics" by Paul G.
Hewitt or "Physics, A First Course" by Tom Hsu.
Criticism
American public schools traditionally teach biology in
the first year of high school, chemistry in the second,
and physics in the third. The belief is that this order
is more accessible, largely because biology can be
taught with less mathematics, and will do the most
toward providing some scientific literacy for the
largest number of students.
In addition, many scientists and educators argue that
freshmen do not have an adequate background in
mathematics to be able to fully comprehend a complete
physics curriculum, and that therefore quality of a
physics education is lost. While physics requires
knowledge of vectors and some basic trigonometry, many
students in the Physics First program take the course in
conjunction with Geometry. They suggest that instead
students first take biology and chemistry which are less
mathematics-intensive so that by the time they are in
their junior year, students will be advanced enough in
mathematics with either an Algebra 2 or pre-calculus
education to be able to fully grasp the concepts
presented in physics. Some argue this even further,
saying that at least calculus should be a prerequisite
for physics.
Others point out that, for example, secondary school
students will never study the advanced physics that
underlies chemistry in the first place. “[I]nclined
planes (frictionless or not) didn't come up in ... high
school chemistry class ... and the same can be said for
some of the chemistry that really makes sense of
biological phenomena.� For physics to be relevant to a
chemistry course, students have to develop a truly
fundamental understanding of the concepts of energy,
force, and matter, beyond the context of specific
applications like the inclined plane.
Footnotes
From Yahoo Answers
Question:including all work, notes, tests, which one
would most likely take up more space?
Answers:I think physics will take up more space because
I took biology last year and I didn't get that much
notes. I never took physics but now I am taking
chemistry and it is similar to physics, and I have more
notes in chemistry than biology.
Question:Are they the same as in high school? I havent
done any PE classes since high school. In high school,
only 2 years of PE were required. I am working on a
computer certificate program and PE courses are not
required but its a good idea to get some excersise to
help my brain focus. PE/I 138X4 Physical Fitness 1.00
Unit A structured exercise class designed to develop a
balanced exercise program including cardiovascular,
strength and flexibility training. Instructor guided
equipment orientation, fitness testing, exercise
technique, and individualized programming are provided.
Class is appropriate for all fitness levels. Associate
Degree Applicable Course credit transfers to CSU, *UC;
Contact a counselor for details. Note: PE/I 138X4 may be
taken 4 times PE/I 186X4 Adapted Physical Education:
Stretching and Stress Reduction 1.00 Unit Designed for
students with disabilities to improve or maintain their
flexibility and joint range of motion as well as learn
techniques for stress reduction and relaxation. A
completed adapted P.E. physical form, obtained from
either the instructor or DSPS, is required prior to
participation in this class. Associate Degree Applicable
Course credit transfers to CSU, *UC; Contact a counselor
for details. Note: PE/I 186X4 may be taken 4 times
Beginning week of 1/18: 5152 01 TTH 09:30a-10:50a LAB
1.00 WG13 Banola,E Note: Recommended for students with
disabilities. Requires medical verification of
disability. PE/I 188X4 Adapted Physical Education:
Fitness and Conditioning 1.00 Unit Designed for students
with disabilities to improve range of motion, muscular
strength, and cardiovascular endurance. A completed P.S.
physical form, obtained from either the instructor or
DSPS, is required to participate in this class.
Associate Degree Applicable Course credit transfers to
CSU, *UC; Contact a counselor for details. Note: PE/I
188X4 may be taken 4 times Beginning week of 1/18: 5154
01 MW 11:00a-12:20p LAB 1.00 WG12 Banola,E I am a
disabled student but its nothing I cant handle. The only
exercise I get is walking from building to building
(far) or walking home from the bus stop.
Answers:College PE is not difficult. The exercise and
skills that you receive will be to your benefit./
Question:Second question: Is there any site having lot
of shortcut formulas on each topic of PCM which can then
be useful for IIT/Competitive preparation?
Answers:try to check on this site http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=there%20any%20site%20having%20free%20lectures%20on%20class%2011%20physics%20chemistry%20maths%20topics
Question:I have an 11 year old who is very smart for her
age and would like to take college classes at home
during her free time. Can she take them for free on the
internet.
Answers:1) You can't take free college courses online or
anywhere else without getting a scholarship. Even a lot
of the ones you have to pay for are scams and not
actually worth college credit. 2) Smart for an 11-year
old doesn't mean 'ready for college'. Has she taken
pre-calculus? Most college students will start college
taking calculus-based courses. Is she writing and
reading at a college level? Has she taken
high-school-level bio, chem, and physics classes? 3) You
have to send all previous college transcripts to the
college you eventually want to attend - even those you
failed. And that doesn't look good.
From Youtube
Grade 11 Physics CCT: Physics Face :This is our grade 11
physics CCT. Lyrics: Mu mu mu muise (Times 5) I wanna do
physics like they do in a genius class See em' let em'
quiz me raise it baby cant hurt my brain (I love it)
Smart and intelligence play the books with notes to
start And after its been looked we'll do the questions
without a dart. Oh, oh, oh, oh, ohhhh,
ohh-oh-e-ohh-oh-oh I will be smart, and put up my hand
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ohhhh, ohh-oh-e-ohh-oh-oh, I will be
smart, and put up my hand Can't beat my, Can't beat my
No you can't beat my physics face (We got to outsmart
everybody) Can't beat my Can't beat my No you can't beat
my physics face (We got to outsmart everybody)
Ph-ph-ph-physics face, ph-ph-physics face (Mu mu mu
muise) Ph-ph-ph-physics face, ph-ph-physics face (Mu mu
mu muise) I wanna learn more but the time has come to
stop A little physics is fun when you're with mrs. muise
(I love it) Our class is not the same without the genius
brains And baby when it's physics if it's not tough it
isn't fun, fun Oh, oh, oh, oh, ohhhh, ohh-oh-e-ohh-oh-oh
I will be smart, and put up my hand Oh, oh, oh, oh,
ohhhh, ohh-oh-e-ohh-oh-oh, I will be smart, and put up
my hand Can't beat my, Can't beat my No you can't beat
my physics face (We got to outsmart everybody) Can't
beat my Can't beat my No you can't beat my physics face
(We got to outsmart everybody) Ph-ph-ph-physics face,
ph-ph-physics face (Mu mu mu muise) Ph-ph-ph-physics
face, ph-ph-physics face (Mu mu mu muise) I won't give
up when I mess up die ...
Mr. Law's Grade 11 Physics Class :Experiment on Decibel
Meter?????
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