Course Description: This is a laboratory oriented program that covers topics in Physics with an emphasis on problem solving methods and conceptual understanding. Mechanics and an introduction to Electricity are the main topics of study.

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of B in Algebra I. Geometry may be taken concurrently.

Course Objectives: At the completion of this course the student will be able to:
     · Demonstrate an understanding of the knowledge contained in the basic laws and principles of Physics, specifically motion, forces, energy, and electricity.
     · Obtain proficiency in problem solving and the application of fundamental principles to a wide variety of situations.
     · Demonstrate an understanding of the physical laws fundamental to all sciences in the context of everyday applications relevant to the student.
     · Develop a repertoire of problem solving skills.
     · Develop critical thinking skills.

Essential Concepts and Skills: The student will be able to:
     · Develop and apply the techniques of observations, measurement, data collection, data analysis, prediction and scientific reasoning in conducting experiments that demonstrate the natural phenomena of principles of physics.
     · Apply proper procedures in lab exercises to isolate specific variables.
     · Follow recommended lab safety procedures and precautions.
     · Develop the principles of teamwork - leadership, acceptance of responsibility, and the coordination of efforts.
     · Develop and understand the proper format in presenting information obtained from a formal lab exercise, i.e. laboratory write-up, to communicate results. Including suggesting ways to improve experiments.

Learning Experiences and Activities: The student may be exposed to but not limited to the following types of activities within the semester:
     · Learn that precision is limited on measuring devises and that accuracy is the degree to which a result agrees with an accepted value.
     · Acquire skills for using scientific notation and significant digits appropriately.
     · Develop skills in trigonometry and apply to specific real life situations.
     · Learn to use mathematics to illuminate the physical situation rather than to show manipulative abilities.
     · Describe qualitatively and quantitatively relationships of displacements, velocities, accelerations, forces, vectors, momentum, work and energy in one and two dimensions.
     · Learn accepts of graphing motion and other situations and develop how to interpret graphs of real life situations. Skills will be developed to enable students to create several other graphs from a one given graph.
     · Describe qualitatively and quantitatively relationships with electrostatics and electric circuits.

Assessments: The students may be evaluated to but not limited to the following:
     · Correct format for all laboratory write-ups. Evaluated by using a teacher developed rubric based on the department general rubric. Including neatness, accuracy, presentation and correctness.
     · Teacher generated, objective quizzes and assignments.
     · Homework assignments as needed to reinforce and supplement topics under discussion.
     · In class problems requiring conversions and calculations.
     · All students will be given access to a journal on a daily basis to indicate topics, activities, laboratory exercises, homework assignments, quizzes, etc. which were covered in class.

Materials/Technology: The students will be exposed to but not limited to the following:
     · Basic Text Book: Haber-Schaim, Dodge, Walter PSSC Physics, Sixth Edition, D.C. Heath and Company, 1986
     · Supplemental Text: Martindale, Heath, Korad, and Macnaughton, Fundamentals of Physics: An Introductory Course, Second Edition, D.C. Heath and Company, 1987
     · Take home tests on 5 college level problems for which they will have one week to complete the test with any resources except the physics teachers.
     · Supplemental Text: Martindale, Heath, and Eastman, Fundamentals of Physics: A Senior Course, D.C. Heath and Company, 1996
     · Lab Equipment necessary to complete all assignments
     · "Current Event Assignment:: library use, internet access, newspapers etc. Video tapes appropriate for specific topic, most from the Annenberg/CPG Collection "The Mechanical Universe...And Beyond" Series.
     · Use of computer programs, such as Microsoft Word for creating tables, Cricket Graph or Excel for creating graphs with curve fits, and Interactive Physics.