Class Experience

This ongoing course will center on Physical Science concepts, placing a strong emphasis on the practical applications of these concepts. The instructor brings a wealth of experience as an Aviation Meteorologist and a STEM-certified teacher. The primary course material derives from the textbook "Physical Science 12th Edition" by Bill W. Tillery (no purchase necessary). Additionally, the course will incorporate PowerPoint slides, brief videos, and real-life illustrations to augment the learning process.

The course is designed to delve into fundamental physical science concepts without delving into high-level mathematics; only basic math skills are required. Students will engage with middle school-level physical science topics through personalized interactions and active participation. The instruction will revolve around the application of these concepts, with a notable focus on meteorology, aviation, and select military applications. This approach aims to enhance student learning by facilitating the application, retention, and progressive understanding of these concepts as they transition to high school.

The learning will drive student inquiry throughout this course and the students will have multiple opportunities to interact with the teacher throughout this course. Engagement is highly encouraged and enhances student learning and makes the material come alive. Additionally, the course goal is to help introduce students to see real life usage of these physical concepts, encourage exploring science related career fields especially in meteorology, aviation, or other fields of scientific study.

The first 5 minutes- Welcoming of students. Learners are welcome to ask questions and clarify understanding from the previous class. This will help to solidify and continue to build on the learning of the concepts discussed in class. 

The next 40 minutes the teacher will share concepts from the textbook, use PowerPoint Slides presentations, or short relevant videos to learn and explore the concepts with real world examples. Students are encouraged to discuss and ask questions to make the class more interactive. 

The last 5 minutes students will share their learning with the class, review the topic, discuss, and ask relevant and essential questions as well. Additionally, a short in class quiz may be used to help review the material learned for that day. 

The topics covered during the course:

9 Jan 2024, Week 1: Motion, Speed, and Acceleration
16 Jan 2024, Week 2: Friction, Falling Objects, Inertia, Free Fall
23 Jan 2024, Week 3: Newton’s 3 Laws of Motion 
30 Jan 2024, Week 4: Circular Motions, Centripetal, Centrifugal, Gravity, Pressure Gradient Force, Coriolis, Low and High-Pressure centers in Weather
6 Feb 2024, Week 5: Temperature, Molecular Theory, Phases of Matter, Measuring Temperature
13 Feb 2024, Week 6: Heat Transfer, Conduction, Convection, and Radiation, Albedo, Reflection
20 Feb 2024, Week 7: Water Cycle, Evaporation, Condensation, Transpiration, Precipitation, Infiltration, Run Off, & Storage
27 Feb 2024, Week 8: Types of Clouds in the Atmosphere
5 Mar 2024, Week 9: Thunderstorms and Lightning and Impacts on Aviation and Safety
12 Mar 2024, Week 10: Frontal Systems, Cold, Warm, Stationary, Occluded, and Airmasses
19 Mar 2024, Week 11: Waves in Motion, Amplitude, Wavelength, Frequencies
26 Mar 2024, Week 12: Light and Concepts, Properties, Reflection and Absorption
2 Apr 2024, Week 13: Evidence of Light, Wave and Particle Theory, Polarization, Lasers
9 Apr 2024, Week 14: Electricity, Concepts and functioning of Electricity, Force Fields 
16 Apr 2024, Week 15: Magnetism, Poles, Repelling Forces, Magnetic Fields