Course Overview
Integrated Physics is the study of matter and its changes and interactions with the physical world. The course focuses on understanding physics by constructing concepts with calculus; likewise, the course will concretely implement calculus as used in the real world through physics. The teachers will show how the mathematical universe and the physical universe are interwoven in fundamental ways. Therefore, students will learn through solving problems using physics and math principles. These are not the simple problems that students in other courses receive hundreds of for homework. These will be real problems present in an engineers work. It may take students hours to do a single problem, or they might not solve it at all. The teachers will guide the students through these problems, but the ultimate aim is clear: students will learn through understanding, not through repetition. Upon completion of the problem sessions, students will understand on a higher level the world they occupy. There will also be numerous hands on experiments for students to see how their models hold up in the face of real forces. Each week, there will be a guest speaker to further your education. These guest speakers will lecture you about concepts not covered by your teachers. You will be able to witness ideas from a completely new angle, and this will put you in contact with respected professionals in the area. These speakers may be math professors, NASA engineers, or a variety of other things. They will also conduct workshops and help you solve problem sessions from time to time. This course will count as a dual credit for AP Calculus BC and AP Physics C. At the end of the year you will be prepared to take both AP exams.
Objectives
Students often complain that what they in school is completely theoretical and often useless in their future career choices. Unfortunately, these students are often correct. The Plano Institute aims to address these concerns. We want students to be able to: 1. Recognize the forces present in the universe and how they affect objects. 2. Apply abstract concepts to solve definitive problems, especially ones that have no predefined solutions. 3. Be fluent in calculus and be able to express situations using mathematical expressions. 4. Eliminate magic formulas in which students have no idea why they work. 5. Use the Scientific Method in the course but also to solve problems in all walks of life.
Homework
The teacher will give problem sessions which will be an application of knowledge obtained in class. There will be at most one problem each night from these problem sessions. Each one will take at least 2 hours to completely solve. Teachers will be available by email around the clock in case you need assistance. Some nights, you will have practice problems to reinforce Calculus concepts. These problems may be more like the ones you are used to, in that each one should only take 5 minutes. We recognize that such problems are necessary for mastery of concepts, but we will try to keep repetitive work to a minimum.
If labs are not finished in class, you may be required to finish it at home.
Grading
Problem Sessions 25% Labs 25% Daily Work 10% Tests 40%
Problem Sessions: These were mentioned before in the Homework section. Problem Sessions will be challenging problems that combine Calculus and Physics concepts. If you do not understand the concepts but you seek help from the teachers, you will still receive a passing grade. Labs: Labs will be physical demonstrations of theorems learned in class. Students will have a chance to measure resistance, friction, acceleration, circular motion, and a host of other things using lab equipment. Calculus applications will be used to determine results. Labs will be completed in groups and groups will receive the same grade. Daily Work: This consists of practice problems to make sure basic skills are mastered. These questions are not as challenging as problem sessions. Usually theyll be either Physics or Calculus problems, and wont require much synthesis. Tests: Problem Sessions will adequately prepare you for the tests. Each test will have between 3 and 10 questions on it in free response format. You will be expected to solve long and complicated equations in both the physics and calculus domains. Partial credit will be given for answers.
Technology
Plano Institute will provide each student with a Microsoft Surface Tablet. The tablets will be used to collect data from the labs and to make graphs and tables. If the students wish, they may also use it as a note taking device in class. The teacher will set up discussion forums online; if students need help they can post to the discussion forum or email the teacher directly.
Course Outline
1st Six Weeks
In the first six weeks students will be introduced to basic concepts from Calculus and Physics. We will learn about limits and derivatives, the basic building blocks of calculus. We will apply these two concepts to position, velocity, and acceleration, as well as Newtons laws of motion. This will all culminate in an examination of NASCAR car racing, and we will use derivatives and knowledge of forces to make predictions and observations.
Textbooks
These textbooks will be distributed electronically through tablets. Integrated Physics and Calculus, Volume I by Andrew Rex and Martin Jackson Integrated Physics and Calculus, Volume II by Andrew Rex and Martin Jackson