Friday, July 4, 2014

High School Physics: Online Classes

Homeschool Connections continues to grow in the area of science offerings. Starting with the 2014/2015 school year, we will be offering two physics courses for high school. For lower high school students, we have Conceptual Physics. For upper high school students, we have Mechanical Physics.

Information on the live, interactive courses is below. Note that these courses will be available as recorded, independent-learning courses starting in February 2015. Recorded courses are offered through our Unlimited Access Program.

FALL 2014

Conceptual Physics I, Part One
(click on course title to register)

Note: This is a 2-part course. Students are expected to register for Part Two in the spring.
Class dates: Mondays, September 8 to December 22, 2014. No class Dec. 8.
Total classes: 15
Starting time: 4:00 pm Eastern (3:00 Central; 2:00 Mountain; 1:00 Pacific)
Duration: 75 minutes
Prerequisite: None, but Algebra I is beneficial.
Suggested grade level: 9th to 10th grade
Suggested high school credit: 1 full semester
Fee: $175 if you register on or before Aug. 1, 2014. $195 after August 1st for all 15 classes.
Instructor: Thomas Frederick, MS
Course description:
This is the first course in a two course series in introductory Physics concepts. The title of “conceptual” means we will not rely too much on mathematical calculations. Instead, we will stick to concepts and major ideas. Students will view pre-recorded online lessons and have live instruction once a week. Topics covered will include:
  • Scientific Methods
  • Linear Motion and Projectile Motion
  • Forces and Newton’s Laws
  • Work, Energy, and Linear Momentum
  • Circular Motion, Gravitational Interactions, and Satellites
  • Stability and Rotational Mechanics
  • Waves, Sound, & Light
The goal of the course is to investigate Physical Science concepts without the need for complicated mathematics. Students will build in their natural intuition—and break some commonly held misconceptions. Students will learn how the cosmos that God created works and apply the laws of physics to every day examples in their lives. Students will learn that physics is phun! Students will be expected to read ahead and complete weekly homework assignments.
Course materials: Conceptual Physics, Paul Hewitt (2002) ISBN: 0-13-054254-7. We recommend purchasing used. We will also use http://www.physicsclassroom.com as a resource.
Homework: Weekly reading and homework will be assigned. Individual assignments will be provided in a class Moodle along with solutions for checking progress. Each unit will have a test at the end, which will be graded by the instructor.

Physics I; Mechanics, Part One
(click on course title to register)

Note: This is a 2-part course. Students are expected to register for Part Two in the spring.
Class dates: Tuesdays and Thursdays, September 2 to December 18, 2014. No class Nov. 25 or 27. (May be a combination of live and prerecorded lessons – more details to follow.)
Total classes: 30
Starting time: 4:00 pm Eastern (3:00 Central; 2:00 Mountain; 1:00 Pacific)
Duration: 60 minutes
Prerequisite: Algebra II and Trigonometry (Trigonometry available Summer 2014. Algebra II available through Unlimited Access.)
Suggested grade level: 11th to 12th grade
Suggested high school credit: 1 full semester credit
Fee: $225 if you register on or before August 1, 2014. $250 after Aug. 1st for all 30 classes.
Instructor: Thomas Frederick, MS
Course description: This is the first part of a two-semester course. It is expected that students also enroll in Physics II – in the spring semester. This course is an algebra-based, college prep survey course in Physics. Topics covered will include:
  • Scientific Tools and Measurements
  • Linear Motion
  • Projectile Motion
  • Force and Newton’s Laws
  • Equilibrium and non-Equilibrium Applications
  • Universal Gravitation
  • Uniform Circular Motion & Satellites
  • Torque and Rotational Dynamics
Students will investigate the inner workings of the universe, created by a loving God. The goal of the course is to build on previous knowledge of Physical Science principals, to break common misconceptions based on false intuition. Students will learn problem-solving strategies as they apply the laws of physics to every day examples in our lives. Of course, students will learn that “physics is phun” as we learn what makes the universe tick!
Course materials:  Physics 5th ed, Cutnell & Johnson, ISBN - 978-0471321460.
Homework: This is an algebra-based course but it is fairly rigorous. Weekly reading and completion of homework is expected. Thirty to sixty minutes of reading/homework a day is a reasonable expectation. Individual assignments will be provided in a class Moodle with homework solutions posted so students can evaluate their understanding. All tests will be graded by the instructor.



Instructor biography: Mr. Frederick is a Physics and Mathematics teacher at Saline High School in Michigan. He has twenty-plus years of classroom experience helping young people understand and apply mathematics and physics. He holds a Master of Science in Physics Education from Eastern Michigan University, as well as a Bachelors of Science in Mathematics from the University of Michigan. In addition to being a teacher, Mr. Frederick is a Cross Country Coach and was the Coordinator of Youth Ministry and Confirmation Director for seven years at his local parish. In that time he built up the youth program from a handful of moderately committed kids to 75-100 young people packing the youth room every Sunday night! Suffice to say, he enjoys working with high school aged young adults in a myriad of different venues—and especially enjoys living and sharing his Catholic faith. He and his wife homeschool their six awesome children. In his spare time, Mr. Frederick also enjoys running, scripture study, fixing computers, gardening, and keeping up a small orchard. He can be found online at www.physicsisphun.org.

SPRING 2015

Conceptual Physics I, Part Two
Note: This is a 2-part course. Students who wish to join us midyear should email to check prerequisites.
Class dates: Mondays, January 5 to April 27, 2015. No class Feb. 23 or April 5.
Total classes: 15
Starting time: 4:00 pm Eastern (3:00 Central; 2:00 Mountain; 1:00 Pacific)
Duration: 75 minutes
Prerequisite: Conceptual Physics I, Part One or equivalent.
Suggested grade level: 9th to 10th grade
Suggested high school credit: 1 full semester
Fee: $175 if you register on or before Nov. 15, 2014. $195 after Nov. 15th for all 15 classes.
Instructor: Thomas Frederick, MS


Physics I; Mechanics, Part Two
Note: This is a 2-part course. Students want to join us midyear should email to verify prerequisites.
Class dates: Tuesdays and Thursdays, January 6 to May 5, 2015. No class Jan. 22, Mar. 31, or Apr.2. (May be a combination of live and prerecorded lessons – more details to follow.)
Total classes: 30
Starting time: 4:00 pm Eastern (3:00 Central; 2:00 Mountain; 1:00 Pacific)
Duration: 60 minutes
Prerequisite: Physics I; Mechanics, Part One (Fall 2014) or equivalent.
Suggested grade level: 11th to 12th grade
Suggested high school credit: 1 full semester credit
Fee: $225 if you register on or before August 1, 2014. $250 after Aug. 1st for all 30 classes.
Instructor: Thomas Frederick, MS

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