JudoMom Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 I'm trying to figure out what to do for 9th grade science. I would like to include my 8th grader as well, if possible, but this isn't an absolute requirement. Most of the formal science we did in elementary was Chemistry, and the rest was interest led. They've almost completed Year 1 of Rainbow science. We're really not interested in doing Biology this coming year. I was considering Derek Owens Physical Science Course (purchasing it; I can't afford the online classes). Then I wondered about Apologia's Physical Science. Then I wondered if I should do something other than Physical Science. He'll be taking his first outsourced class (it's a history/literature/composition class) that I think will really stretch him. I don't want to overwhelm him with a super-intense science, if that makes sense. He'll be in Algebra II (Saxon). He's very interested and self-motivated when it comes to computer programming. His two most likely colleges require 3 years of science for the Engineering schools, with one requiring Physics & Chemistry, and the other requiring Chemistry and 2 more lab sciences. What would you all recommend? The less expensive the better, but I'd already planned on $172 for the Derek Owens course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 For a student interested in going into Engineering, I would not bother with Physical Science. If he is already taking algebra 2, why not do an actual algebra based physics course instead ? I think Derek Owens has this as well. (ETA: Just read you can't do online classes. ) So, why not simply buy him a physics book and have him work with it? There are lots of free online lectures available. I use Knight College Physics for our 9th grade physics course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kendall Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 If you don't want to do an algebra based because of intensity level, you could do Conceptual Physics by Hewitt (Not his Conceptual physical science) with the 8th and 9th grader. I've done it in both grades(different kids), my EE major son says there were topics we covered in there that he didn't see again until Physics 3 in college. He was glad he had done them before. They can learn so much reading and discussing and it can still be a less intense year. Then do the Bio,Chem,Physics sequence. I'm nearly certain that the Conceptual Physics is a stronger science then the Apologia Physical Science. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amsunshine Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 So, why not simply buy him a physics book and have him work with it? There are lots of free online lectures available. I use Knight College Physics for our 9th grade physics course. Ok, don't leave us hanging here! Where are the "lots of free online lectures" for physics? Inquiring minds want to know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 Ok, don't leave us hanging here! Where are the "lots of free online lectures" for physics? Inquiring minds want to know! In no particular order (some are video lectures, some written lectures and lecture notes), here some free physics courses: http://www.learner.org/courses/physics/index.html http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/#physics https://www.udacity.com/course/ph100 https://www.coursera.org/course/phys1 https://www.coursera.org/course/howthingswork1 https://www.khanacademy.org/science/physics http://hippocampus.org/HippoCampus/Physics;jsessionid=FDFEAB4B239D9112DA5945479280C3D2 http://www.bowlesphysics.com/honorsphysics.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudoMom Posted April 25, 2013 Author Share Posted April 25, 2013 If you don't want to do an algebra based because of intensity level, you could do Conceptual Physics by Hewitt (Not his Conceptual physical science) with the 8th and 9th grader. I've done it in both grades(different kids), my EE major son says there were topics we covered in there that he didn't see again until Physics 3 in college. He was glad he had done them before. They can learn so much reading and discussing and it can still be a less intense year. Then do the Bio,Chem,Physics sequence. I'm nearly certain that the Conceptual Physics is a stronger science then the Apologia Physical Science. If I went this route, what books do I need to buy? Do I need just the student text or would it be nice to have a TM? It appears there are different workbooks and such, too. And is there a certain edition? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amsunshine Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 In no particular order (some are video lectures, some written lectures and lecture notes), here some free physics courses: http://www.learner.o...sics/index.html http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/#physics https://www.udacity.com/course/ph100 https://www.coursera.org/course/phys1 https://www.coursera.../howthingswork1 https://www.khanacad...science/physics http://hippocampus.o...A5945479280C3D2 http://www.bowlesphy...orsphysics.html Thank you sooo much -- this is so helpful!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hot Lava Mama Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 Also consider DIVE Chemistry & physics. Inexpensive ($50 I think) and seems pretty good. Hot Lava Mama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kendall Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 I used an older edition of Conceptual Physics, I would want the teachers manual (or answers somehow, I don't know if there is a solutions manual). The local college happened to have a TE in their education library so I purchased a used student text and kept checking out the TM. You might want to start another thread asking about it. I think there are plenty of problems without needing a workbook. I don't know what is available with current editions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SailorMom Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 We're using Hewitt right now - I have the text, teacher's manual, and the Concept Development workbook. My son needed more practice (hence the workbook) but your kid may not. I do wish I had more of the resources they have available, but they were pricey. I don't think a solution manual is necessary (I don't even know if there is one). As for labs - I have a file for the student lab manual (to print) if you'd like me to email it. I had to buy the teacher's lab manual, though. I have to say, I have not been thrilled with the labs. Most are so simple, and basically are "well - duh, of course that will happen" sort of labs.... I think you could easily do your own labs with far less expensive equipment just by looking at ideas on line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 . I have to say, I have not been thrilled with the labs. Most are so simple, and basically are "well - duh, of course that will happen" sort of labs.... I think you could easily do your own labs with far less expensive equipment just by looking at ideas on line. The quality of a physics lab is not in producing some amazing wow effect, but in the analysis. Many "labs" are really just demonstrations and not actual labs .You can take very simple household items, perform a clean experiment (vary one parameter at a time, keeping the others constant) and then do a careful analysis: do multiple repetitions of the measurement to get statistics plot your data as a graph identify sources of errors and estimate the size of errors include error bars in the graph fit the data and see if the formula you know from the theory agrees with the data (for example: is there a straight line where you would expect a linear relationship? ) plot power law relationships in a logarithmic plot to make power laws into straight lines. The educational benefit of a physics lab is not in the complicated nature of the experiment, but in the analysis of the data. Much of introductory physics, especially mechanics, describes phenomena the student is familiar with from daily life, so not much unexpected will happen. But these simple phenomena provide a great opportunity to learn scientific thinking and analysis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dicentra Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 The quality of a physics lab is not in producing some amazing wow effect, but in the analysis. Many "labs" are really just demonstrations and not actual labs .You can take very simple household items, perform a clean experiment (vary one parameter at a time, keeping the others constant) and then do a careful analysis: do multiple repetitions of the measurement to get statistics plot your data as a graph identify sources of errors and estimate the size of errors include error bars in the graph fit the data and see if the formula you know from the theory agrees with the data (for example: is there a straight line where you would expect a linear relationship? ) plot power law relationships in a logarithmic plot to make power laws into straight lines. The educational benefit of a physics lab is not in the complicated nature of the experiment, but in the analysis of the data. Much of introductory physics, especially mechanics, describes phenomena the student is familiar with from daily life, so not much unexpected will happen. But these simple phenomena provide a great opportunity to learn scientific thinking and analysis. :iagree: In high school chemistry, it's mostly about learning to use the various pieces of equipment and become proficient in lab skills (titrating, making accurate solutions, etc.) as well as learning to do mathematical analysis of the data. I would occasionally break out a "wow-factor" demonstration but most of them aren't something I'd want to let students try (danger/toxic factor). Sometimes the science behind a "wow-factor" demo is more than a high school student is ready for so the demos don't lend themselves well to analysis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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