Fees: WebAssign fee – $TBA, Spring Project fee - $TBA

Learning Recommendations:

• Successful completion of SCI126 - Physics Laboratory Methods
• Successful completion of SCI200 - Biology
• Successful completion of MTH100 - Common Core Algebra 1 and MTH200 - Common Core Geometry (Recommended "B" or better in both courses)
• Concurrent enrollment in MTH300 - Common Core Algebra 2 or higher
• Proficient in the use of computer software for word processing and spreadsheets
• Proficient in graphing and data analysis

General Description:

• This is a yearlong laboratory course, which fulfills the science requirements for graduation and university entrance.
• Students will gain an understanding of the fundamental principles of the physical world and an appreciation of many of the phenomena they experience in their lives.
• Emphasis on lab skills and scientific inquiry.
• Emphasis on critical thinking and problem solving.
• Physics is a quantitative science and students do a significant amount of math.
• This course fulfills (1) college prep science requirement, as outlined by the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) as a lab-based and Algebra-based Science course.

Content: Students will be actively engaged in learning and experiencing the following:

• Methods and application of physical measurement
• Mechanics
• Wave mechanics
• Color, light and/or sound and optics

Other topics included, but not limited to:

• Geophysics and applications of EM radiation (Skyline High School)
• Thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, Modern Physics (Issaquah High School)
• Thermodynamics, electricity, lunar astronomy (Liberty High School)

Skills Taught in this Course:

• Increased use of inquiry-based and guided laboratory work
• Expanded problem solving and critical thinking strategies
• Use of sophisticated equipment and probe ware to investigate physics phenomena
• Data analysis and graphing techniques
• Communication through scientific writing

Strategies: Students will learn through a combination of:

• Lecture/discussion
• Inquiry-based and guided laboratory work
• Problem solving and critical thinking exercises
• Interactive student- and teacher-led demonstrations
• Student projects and research with emphasis on communication
• Cooperative learning

Equipment to be provided by Student: Scientific calculator (TI-83+, TI-84, or TI-Nspire recommended)

The Washington State Technology Standards addressed in this course include:

• Knowledge Constructor 3.d
• Computational Thinker 5.a, 5.b, and 5.c
• Creative Communicator 6.a, 6.c, and 6.d