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High School Experimental Physics | An Introductory Physics Course
Class Experience
US Grade 9 - 12
Beginner Level
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum
Aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
Are you ready to embark on an exciting journey through the world of physics? Under the expert guidance of Mr. Valdez, who brings over 15 years of teaching experience, our High School Experimental Physics course offers students a unique opportunity to engage with the fundamental principles that shape our understanding of the universe. This course is unlike other classes in that it is combined with a premiere video course that enables students to excel. Each topic has a dedicated video that...
3 units//28 lessons//14 Weeks
Unit 1Physics Essentials: Future STEM Career Must-Have SkillsPhysics Essentials: Future STEM Career Must-Have Skills11 lessons6 WeeksWeek 1Lesson 1Semester Introduction: How To Master This Course✏️ Get ready to dive into the thrilling world of physics! In this lesson, we'll explore course strategies, essential materials, and clear expectations. We'll discuss how, as we progress, you’ll engage in hands-on experiments, collaborate with peers, and unlock the mysteries of the universe through exciting challenges and interactive discussions. Let’s embark on this scientific adventure together!Lesson 2Unit Conversions | ADive into the fascinating world of physics with our hands-on lesson on unit conversions! Students will unlock the secrets of transforming measurements, making connections between different units, and understanding their real-world applications. Join us as we embark on an exciting journey that turns complex calculations into a thrilling challenge!Week 2Lesson 3Unit Conversions | BGet ready to enhance your physics skills with our interactive lesson on unit conversions! Students will engage with a variety of dynamic learning apps that transform practice into play, allowing them to tackle conversion challenges in an exciting and collaborative environment. Let’s make mastering unit conversions not just educational, but a fun adventure that sparks curiosity and confidence!Lesson 4Unit Conversions | CProject: Unit conversions are essential in various fields, from engineering to cooking. In this project, students will design a miniature race track for Matchbox cars, where they will need to consider different units of measurement (inches, feet, centimeters) to create a functional and exciting track. This connects to real-world scenarios such as planning a road system or designing a sports field, emphasizing how precise measurements can impact performance and safety.Week 3Lesson 5Scalars and Vectors | AStep into the world of motion and forces as we explore the intriguing concepts of scalars and vectors! In this lesson, students will discover the critical differences between these two fundamental quantities, engaging in hands-on activities that visualize their applications in the real world. Join us for an interactive experience that will empower students to differentiate and apply scalars and vectors in ways that truly resonate!Lesson 6Scalars and Vectors | BUnleash your understanding of scalars and vectors with our engaging, interactive lesson! Students will dive into a series of captivating learning apps and collaborative challenges that make grasping these concepts enjoyable and memorable. Through practical exercises and games, learners will master the art of identifying and utilizing scalars and vectors in everyday scenarios, turning theoretical knowledge into practical expertise!Week 4Lesson 7Scalars and Vectors | CProject: Scalars and vectors are essential in fields like navigation, robotics, and engineering. In this project, students will create a miniature navigation system (physics or digital) for their Matchbox cars or other vehicles, utilizing both scalar quantities (e.g., speed, distance) and vector quantities (e.g., direction, velocity). This project highlights the importance of understanding direction and magnitude in real-world applications like GPS technology.Lesson 8Distance and Displacement | AEmbark on an exciting journey as we unravel the concepts of distance and displacement! In this lesson, students will explore how these two measurements tell different stories about motion, engaging in hands-on activities that illustrate their unique characteristics. Join us as we navigate through real-life scenarios, empowering students to understand and apply these essential concepts in physics!Week 5Lesson 9Distance and Displacement | BGet ready to solidify your understanding of distance and displacement with our interactive lesson packed with fun and engaging activities! Students will utilize dynamic learning apps and collaborative challenges to practice distinguishing between these two important concepts, enhancing their critical thinking skills. Through immersive experiences, learners will transform theoretical knowledge into practical application, making distance and displacement come alive!Lesson 10Distance and Displacement | CProject: Understanding distance and displacement is crucial in fields like transportation, logistics, and urban planning. In this project, students will design a delivery route for their Matchbox cars, focusing on the total distance traveled versus the straight-line displacement from start to finish. This project emphasizes how these concepts impact route efficiency in real-world scenarios such as package delivery and navigation systems.Week 6Lesson 11Section Wrap UpAs we conclude our unit, this wrap-up will focus on: 🎉 Project Sharing: Present your projects showcasing physics applications. ❓ Q&A Session: Engage in discussions to clarify concepts and connect skills to STEM fields. 🚀 Future Preparation: Explore career pathways and create a roadmap for next steps. 📝 Reflection: Share insights on your learning and provide feedback for future lessons. Let’s celebrate our achievements and prepare for what lies ahead!Unit 2Describing MotionDescribing Motion7 lessons4 WeeksWeek 6Lesson 12Speed and Velocity | AAccelerate your understanding of motion with our captivating lesson on speed and velocity! Students will discover the crucial differences between these two concepts through interactive demonstrations and real-world examples, igniting their curiosity about how objects move. Join us as we embark on an exhilarating exploration that will leave students eager to calculate and compare speed and velocity in their everyday lives!Week 7Lesson 13Speed and Velocity | BBuckle up for a thrilling ride into the world of speed and velocity with our interactive practice lesson! Students will engage with fun learning apps and collaborative activities that challenge them to apply their knowledge in exciting ways. Through hands-on practice and dynamic exercises, learners will gain confidence in calculating and interpreting speed and velocity, making these concepts both relatable and enjoyable!Lesson 14Speed and Velocity | C🛠️ The Marble Drag Race project lets students explore speed and velocity through hands-on experimentation. Using marbles, popsicle sticks, and hot glue, they will design a straight way track. Students will measure the track, time the marbles' travel, and calculate speed. This project helps them understand the difference between speed and velocity while fostering creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking in physics.Week 8Lesson 15Acceleration | AGet ready to speed up your learning as we dive into the dynamic world of acceleration! In this lesson, students will explore how forces influence the rate of change in velocity, engaging in hands-on activities that illustrate real-life applications of acceleration. Join us for an exciting adventure that will empower students to grasp this fundamental concept in physics and see motion in a whole new light!Lesson 16Acceleration | BRev up your understanding of acceleration with our interactive practice lesson designed to make learning exhilarating! Students will engage with captivating learning apps and collaborative challenges that bring the concept of acceleration to life, allowing them to practice calculations and grasp its implications in various scenarios. Through fun and immersive experiences, learners will master acceleration and its significance in the world around them!Week 9Lesson 17Acceleration | C🛠️ Marble Run Project: Students will build a marble run using marbles, popsicle sticks, and hot glue to explore acceleration. They will create ramps at various heights and slopes, timing how long it takes for marbles to reach the bottom. By analyzing speed changes, students will learn about acceleration in a fun, hands-on way. This project encourages creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking while enhancing their understanding of how height and angle affect acceleration.Lesson 18Section Wrap UpAs we conclude our unit, this wrap-up will focus on: 🎉 Project Sharing: Present your projects showcasing physics applications. ❓ Q&A Session: Engage in discussions to clarify concepts and connect skills to STEM fields. 🚀 Future Preparation: Explore career pathways and create a roadmap for next steps. 📝 Reflection: Share insights on your learning and provide feedback for future lessons. Let’s celebrate our achievements and prepare for what lies ahead!Unit 3Newton's Laws of MotionNewton's Laws of Motion10 lessons5 WeeksWeek 10Lesson 19Newton's First Law of Motion | AStep into the realm of motion with our intriguing lesson on Newton's First Law of Motion! Students will uncover the fundamental principle that an object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an external force. Through engaging demonstrations and real-world examples, learners will gain a deep understanding of inertia and its impact on everyday life, making physics both relatable and exciting!Lesson 20Newton's First Law of Motion | BIgnite your curiosity about motion with our interactive practice lesson on Newton's First Law! Students will engage with dynamic learning apps and hands-on activities that challenge them to explore the concept of inertia in fun and memorable ways. Through collaborative exercises and practical examples, learners will solidify their understanding of this foundational law, seeing how it shapes the world around them!Week 11Lesson 21Newton's First Law of Motion | C🛠️ Newton's Cradle Project: Students will build a Newton's Cradle to demonstrate Newton's First Law, which states that an object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by a force. Using marbles, string, and a base, they will create a setup for swinging marbles. Pulling back one marble shows energy transfer and illustrates inertia. This hands-on project enhances understanding of motion and forces while promoting creativity.Lesson 22Newton's Second Law of Motion | ADive deeper into the world of physics with our engaging lesson on Newton's Second Law of Motion! Students will explore the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration, discovering how these elements interact to influence motion. Through interactive experiments and real-life applications, learners will gain insight into the power of this law, empowering them to analyze and predict the behavior of objects in motion!Week 12Lesson 23Newton's Second Law of Motion | BGear up for an exhilarating exploration of Newton's Second Law of Motion with our interactive practice lesson! Students will engage with captivating learning apps and collaborative challenges that bring this fundamental principle to life, allowing them to apply their knowledge through practical problem-solving. By participating in hands-on activities, learners will enhance their understanding of force, mass, and acceleration, making physics both fun and accessible!Lesson 24Newton's Second Law of Motion | C🛠️ Balloon Rocket Project: Understanding Newton's Second Law Students will explore Newton's Second Law by creating balloon rockets. Using balloons, string, and straws, they'll set up a track and launch their rockets. By varying balloon sizes and air amounts, they'll observe how force and mass affect acceleration, fostering hands-on learning in physics.Week 13Lesson 25Newton's Third Law of Motion | APrepare to be amazed by the action-reaction principle in our exciting lesson on Newton's Third Law of Motion! Students will discover that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction, exploring how this fundamental law shapes the world around us. Through interactive demonstrations and real-world examples, learners will gain a profound understanding of forces at play, making physics both captivating and relatable!Lesson 26Newton's Third Law of Motion | BJump into the exhilarating world of forces with our interactive practice lesson on Newton's Third Law of Motion! Students will engage with dynamic learning apps and hands-on activities that illustrate action and reaction in fun and memorable ways. Through collaborative problem-solving and practical applications, learners will solidify their grasp of this law, discovering how it applies to everyday situations and the mechanics of motion!Week 14Lesson 27Newton's Third Law of Motion | C🛠️ Egg Drop Challenge: Exploring Newton's Third Law Students will investigate Newton's Third Law by designing a protective contraption for a raw egg. Using materials like straws, cotton balls, and cardboard, they'll create designs to cushion the egg from a height drop. After testing, they'll analyze which designs worked best and reflect on the principles of action and reaction.Lesson 28Semester Break DownAs we conclude our semester, this wrap-up will dive deep into: 🎉 Project Sharing: Present your projects showcasing physics applications. ❓ Q&A Session: Engage in discussions to clarify concepts and connect skills to STEM fields. 🚀 Future Preparation: Explore career pathways and create a roadmap for next steps. 📝 Reflection: Share insights on your learning and provide feedback for future lessons.
This class is taught in English.
- 📚Emotional Engagement: Cultivate a passion for physics by exploring real-world applications of physical concepts that resonate with students' everyday lives.
- 🧠Critical Thinking: Develop logical reasoning skills through problem-solving exercises that challenge students to analyze situations and formulate solutions based on physical principles.
- 🔬Hands-On Learning: Engage in project-based learning activities that allow students to design and conduct experiments, fostering a deeper understanding of scientific inquiry.
- 🧮Collaboration Skills: Work effectively in teams to complete collaborative projects, enhancing communication and interpersonal skills while building a supportive learning environment.
- 🖥️Curiosity and Inquiry: Encourage students to ask questions and pursue their interests in physics, nurturing a sense of wonder and curiosity about the natural world.
- 📝Conceptual Understanding: Achieve a solid grasp of fundamental physics concepts, enabling students to connect theoretical knowledge with practical applications in various fields.
- 🎓Resilience and Adaptability: Learn to approach challenges with a growth mindset, developing perseverance and the ability to adapt when experiments do not go as planned.
- 💡Creativity in Problem Solving: Foster creative thinking by encouraging students to develop innovative solutions to complex problems through hands-on experimentation.
- 🧪Self-Directed Learning: Empower students to take ownership of their learning by providing access to resources, such as dedicated video lessons, that they can revisit as needed.
- 🔍Real-World Impact: Understand the role of physics in addressing global challenges, inspiring students to consider how they can use their knowledge to make a positive difference in society.
Mr. Valdez brings over 15 years of teaching experience across various educational settings, including classrooms, camps, and workshops. His diverse background allows him to connect with students in meaningful ways, making learning engaging and enjoyable. Throughout his career, Mr. Valdez has taught a wide range of subjects, from digital media to engineering, demonstrating his versatility and commitment to education. His true passion lies in helping teenagers develop a love for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), inspiring them to explore and pursue careers in these fields. Mr. Valdez holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and has undergone extensive training to become a Doctor of Physical Therapy. This academic background equips him with a solid understanding of the scientific principles that underpin physics, making him an excellent guide for students as they navigate the exciting world of experimental physics. With his experience and enthusiasm, Mr. Valdez is dedicated to fostering a positive and impactful learning environment for all students.
1 - 2 hours per week outside of class
Assignments
Frequency: 1-2 per weekFeedback: as neededDetails: Educational Apps: We will incorporate a range of educational apps, such as Kahoot, Quizlet, and EdPuzzle, to create an interactive assessment environment. These platforms provide a dynamic way for students to engage with the material while assessing their knowledge in real-time.Projects
Frequency: 1-2 per weekFeedback: as neededDetails: As part of our commitment to providing a comprehensive and engaging learning experience, our High School Experimental Physics course will include one hands-on project for each lesson, resulting in a total of eight projects throughout the course. These projects are designed to foster collaboration, critical thinking, and practical application of physics principles, helping to solidify key information learned in class.Certificate of Completion
Frequency: includedDetails: Grading and Certification Details for High School Experimental Physics Parents can select a numerical grading option for their students based on progress throughout the course. This grading will reflect performance in digital assessments and hands-on projects, providing a comprehensive evaluation. All students will receive a Certificate of Completion at the end of the course, recognizing their participation and effort. However, only those who choose the numerical grading option and complete the course will have a letter grade presented on their certificate. Parents are encouraged to discuss grading options with their students to determine the best fit for their educational goals. The deadline for selecting the numerical grading option will be communicated at the start of the course. This approach celebrates students' achievements while allowing parents to choose the best path for their child's learning experience. For any questions, please feel free to reach out!
Due to the nature of combining live classes with a dynamic video course. Learners who struggle retaining information from a dynamic lecture based class can use the videos to watch over and over again to help retain key information.
Students do not need to know algebra to enjoy the content, however it would compliment learning in this course.
1 file available upon enrollment3-5 Balloons String Consistent access to WIFI Scientific calculator Pen and paper Optional: Foam pipe insulation (for roller coaster projects) Popsicle sticks Low-temperature glue gun Low-temperature glue gun sticks 3 different color cans of Play-Doh Matchbox or Hot Wheels car Marbles (for motion experiments) Cardboard (for construction) Rulers (for measuring distances) Stopwatch (for timing experiments) Scissors (for cutting materials) Tape (for securing structures) Protractors (for measuring angles) Various weights (for experiments on forces and motion) Graph paper (for recording data and calculations) Household odds and ends
Teacher expertise and credentials
Texas Teaching Certificate in Mathematics
Bachelor's Degree in Science from University of Texas at San Antonio
Hello Awesome People! My name is Omar Valdez and I am so very excited to be a part of you and your family's learning journey! I am currently a certified math and science teacher in the wonderful state of Texas. I have been a teacher of algebra,...
Reviews
Group Class
$86
weekly or $1,199 for 28 classes2x per week, 14 weeks
55 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 14-18
4-16 learners per class