1 / 21

Welcome to Physics

Welcome to Physics. AP Physics 1 AP Physics C. Who am I?. Mr. White B.S. ChE, Lamar University, May, 1980 MChE, U of H, May, 1988 21 years of industrial engineering experience 9 years of physics teaching experience, at all levels. What is physics?. Driven by “big ideas” and key concepts

Download Presentation

Welcome to Physics

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. Welcome to Physics AP Physics 1 AP Physics C

  2. Who am I? • Mr. White • B.S. ChE, Lamar University, May, 1980 • MChE, U of H, May, 1988 • 21 years of industrial engineering experience • 9 years of physics teaching experience, at all levels

  3. What is physics? • Driven by “big ideas” and key concepts • Mathematical description of the physical world (mathematical models) • Standard nomenclature, with subscripts • Algebra, trigonometry, geometry, dimensional analysis, calculus (AP physics C), etc., will all be used • Units on numbers are ESSENTIAL

  4. What is AP Physics 1? • College level, trig based, intended for future medicine majors • Taught at the college level • Tested at the high school level • Approximately 15 labs, done during class time • Formal lab reports are required

  5. What Is AP Physics 1? (cont’d)? • AP test administered on 5/06/15 • There are two parts to the AP test, which is comprehensive • A calculator and equation sheet may be used on both parts of the AP test

  6. What is AP Physics 1? (cont’d) • MC test – 50 questions / 90 minutes • FR test – 4-5 questions / 90 minutes • FR test is VERY conceptual, and requires detailed written responses • The grading scale in this class is different • Scores will be low and adjustments will be made

  7. What AP Physics Isn’t • It isn’t PAP+ • It isn’t the content that can be learned on class room time alone • Minimal retesting • No extra credit • Re-teaching is only done during AP test prep

  8. Why AP Physics Exists • College professors see increasing numbers of unprepared freshman students • Steps are being taken to “weed out” the unqualified (UH freshman chem class) • AP Physics lets you see college level difficulty before college

  9. My Goals for You • Teach you how to: • Think analytically • Improve your math ability • Improve your study habits • Improve your long-term memory • Improve your science reading comprehension In other words, I want to prepare you for success at the college level, and I want you to trust that I know how to do that

  10. My methods • GUESS method for problem solving • Emphasis on units, dimensional analysis, factor/label method • Symbolic mathematics • Memorize and derive equations • Inquiry labs • A detailed course syllabus

  11. My Expectations • Follow posted classroom rules • Follow my instruction regarding physics • Students adhere to the items listed in the student physics contract • Students take personal responsibility for meeting deadlines • Students stay actively engaged in the learning process • All AP students will take the AP test

  12. Format Of My Class • We will strictly follow a published syllabus • Homework is assigned daily, and must be attempted for best results • Weekly after-school labs (Physics C) • Tests cover one chapter at a time • Tests alternate between FR and MC • FR tests MUST meet all of the AP rubric criteria

  13. Format Of My Class (cont’d) • MC tests contain questions from previous chapters • Raw scores are recorded in the grade book, and they will be LOW • Usually, highest GB average is adjusted to 95, and all GB averages are adjusted by the same amount

  14. Format Of My Class (cont’d) • For best effort with failing quarter average, IF all work is done, I’m willing to discuss • End of year – special topic that will give you an “edge” in your freshman classes

  15. Issues That Will Lead To AP Test Failure • Failure to adequately learn PAP physics • Low algebra skills • Low work ethic (senioritis = laziness) • Too much dependence on technology • Lack of critical thinking skills • Low maturity level / lack of focus • Arrogance – overestimating your ability and/or underestimating AP content

  16. Example Of Low PAP Scores • See “AP Student Past Performance 2013 – 2014.xls”

  17. Issues That Will Lead To AP Test Failure (cont’d) • Copying peers’ homework / cheating • Waiting until the night before a test to read the text book and/or study (cramming) • Cell phone or personal device usage during my lecture or when the “red flag” is posted • Too little time devoted to AP physics

  18. Your Role • Diligently follow ALL of the recommendations on the AP physics contract • Do some physics outside of class time every day • Memorize equations • Practice deriving equations • NEVER attempt to “cram” for tests

  19. Your Role (cont’d) • As I make you aware of weaknesses, practice working problems in that area • Commit to competing with your class mates

  20. Closing • For medicine or engineering majors, this is the correct class • To be successful, you will have to perform at a higher level than ever before • If you do what I say, when I say, there is a very good chance that you will pass the AP test

More Related