Physics ⚛️

1.0 credits (full year), foundation science
Mr. David Buckley  david.buckley@meritacademy.org  Room 225

Course Summary

• The physics SEEd standards explore the foundational principles of physics including forces, energy, fields, and waves. Students analyze and interpret data to determine the cause and effect relationship between the net force of an object and its change in motion.
• Students develop and use models to illustrate that energy at all levels can be accounted for as a combination of energies associated with motion and relative positions of objects.
• Students use mathematics and computational thinking to support the claim that the total momentum of a system is conserved when there is no net force acting on a system.
• Students plan and conduct investigations to provide evidence that an electric current causes a magnetic field and that a changing magnetic field causes an electric current.
• Students also engage in argument to support the assertion that electromagnetic radiation can be described either by a wave or a particle model.
• Additionally, students design and evaluate solutions to problems that exist in these areas.

Grading

This class adheres to the letter grading scale adopted here at Merit Academy.

• Labs, Projects, and Tests = 80% of grade
• All Other Formative Assignments = 20% of grade

Late Work and Resubmissions

• There will be time to make up assignments at the end of each unit. Please use this time. There will be no penalty for late assignments or assignment resubmissions.
• However, tests are non-retakable unless special circumstances require it (If you are absent on test day, you can take the test on a different day. Testing accommodations in student's IEP still apply). Doing assignments promptly will properly prepare you for tests.
• Tests will be open notes.

Materials to Bring

• Pencil or Pen
• Somewhere to keep papers from class (folder, binder, etc.)

Behavior Expectations

• All policies found at https://www.meritprepacademy.org/policies will be honored. A notable change across Merit this year is the phones and electronics policy, where phones must be out of sight and silent during class. Zero-tolerance.
• Hall pass usage is now tracked school-wide. Be honest about what you need (bathroom, locker, etc.).
• Classroom Values
1. Spirit - Exemplify high character, respect, and love.
2. Opportunity - Seize the moment to try new things.
3. Curiosity - Engage in scientific inquiry with child-like wonder.
4. Perseverance - Be resilient and finish strong!

Course Fees

There is a class fee of $20 that should be paid at the front office. This fee covers any lab materials used throughout the course including model rocket and car materials.

Optional Field Work

Part of the student experience at Merit Academy is field work, where students have meaningful learning experiences outside the class room. These are optional experiences and the dates are to be determined.