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Physical Science
2008-2009
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Currently enrolled students login here
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Description
This course is a Physical Science course with lab exercises. This course is typically taken in 8th or 9th grade, and is usually the last science course before the high school sciences (physics, chemistry, and biology).
At some schools this course is referred to as an intro to physics and chemistry, although it also include some astronomy and earth science.
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Fees
The cost of the course is $58 per month for distance learners. Students will also need to purchase copies of the textbooks. The course is currently only availabe as a distance learning course.
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Lecture Notes and Class Time
Class time will primarily be spent on instruction. The lecture notes are a key part of the class. These notes are prepared in advance and given to the students, but with much of the material deleted and replaced by blank space on the page. During the lecture, the students fill in the blank areas, solve the example problems, and add any notes they need to. By the end of the year, the students will have what amounts to their own complete text made from the lectures delivered and the problems worked in class.
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Textbook
Focus on Physical Science published by Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13-044345X, and Conceptual Physical Science, 3rd edition by Paul Hewitt, ISBN# 0-321-05173-4. The content of the course will come from selected reading assignments in these two books as well as from the lecture notes and videos of the lectures.
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Homework, Tests and Grades
Students will be given specific assignments to do on their own each week. Assignments will consist of lectures delivered on the computer, reading assignments from the textbooks, problems to practice, and homework assignments that will be collected and graded. Tests will be given at home. One final exam for each semester will be taken at the end of the semester. Students will receive a numerical grade for each semester and for the year. The grade is calculated based on tests, graded homework and the final exams.
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Computer Access
Access to a computer (Windows, Mac, or Linux) with either a CD drive or a high speed internet connection is required for this course.
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The Instructor
Derek Owens taught physics, honors physics, AP Physics, and AP computer science at The Westminster Schools in Atlanta, GA from 1988-2000. He currently teaches Physics in the summer school program at Westminster as well as AP Calculus as Providence Christian Academy. He graduated from Duke University in 1988 with a degree in mechanical engineering and physics, and worked at the TIP program at Duke for two years, teaching physics and heading the Satellite Science Program. He received a National Science Foundation scholarship and studied history and philosophy of science at L’Abri Fellowship in England. He worked as a software developer for five years before returning to teaching. This will be his sixth school year teaching homeschoolers in the Atlanta area. He and his wife Amor and their two children Claire and David attend Grace Fellowship Church, a non-denominational church near their home in Lawrenceville.
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