Scientific Inquiries - Physics
I. What is Scientific Inquiries - Physics?
Scientific Inquiries - Physics is a one-semester course that is
required of all IMSA sophomores who have not taken a high school level physics course
or who have not passed the IMSA physics placement exam. The course
addresses four broad conceptual areas: kinematics and the equations of motion,
Newton’s first and second laws, the conservation of energy, and Newton’s law of
gravitation.
Each of the four big ideas in this course will be graphically and
mathematically modeled by the students in interactive lab activities.
Students will then deploy these graphical and mathematical tools in a variety
of complex situations both by themselves in homework assignments or in groups
in the classroom environment.
The students will 1) acquire an understanding of some of the fundamental
concepts and principles of physics, 2) learn how to integrate the physical
sciences with the space sciences, 3) acquire an ability to use problem-solving
techniques and critical thinking skills to solve physics-based and integrative
problems, 4) develop the habits of mind and skills identified as IMSA Standards
of Significant Learning (SSLs), 5) develop an understanding of the importance
of physics and its impact on society.
Student performance and learning in this course will be assessed using a
variety of methods, which may include, but are not limited to, the following:
homework and in-class problems, in-class quizzes and exams, and lab
reports. Assessments will focus on gauging student learning with respect
to both content standards and the IMSA Standards for Significant Learning
(SSLs).
II. Academic Responsibility
A. Attendance: Be in class ON TIME. Unexcused tardies in excess
of 10 minutes will be treated as unexcused absences. Please refer to the
Attendance and Tardiness Procedures section of the handbook, which begins on
page 11.
WORK CANNOT BE MADE UP FOR UNEXCUSED ABSENCES.
B. Bring proper materials to class with you.
1. Pencil/Pen and calculator
2. Notebook/Paper
3. Lab Journal
4. Proper Reference Material
5. Binder
6. Ruler
7. Textbook (Conceptual Physics by Paul G. Hewitt)
C. Homework assignments: All assigned work should be handed in the beginning of
the period on the day it is due. Late work will receive penalties as
determined by each instructor.
D. Attentiveness: HEADS UP!!! When in class, students are expected
to be alert, to listen intently, and to actively participate in class
activities scheduled for the day.
E. Note taking: Students are expected to leave class with journal notes from
the lesson of the day.
F. Out of class assistance: GET HELP EARLY. Options include:
1. Office Hours
2. Peer Tutor
3. Appointment with Instructor
III. Laboratory Policies
A. Discussion of Safety Rules: Violating safety rules may result in penalties or students may not receive credit for that activity/experiment.
B. Maintain Lab Notes in Journal
C. Laboratory Partner: We encourage collaboration between partners. However, each partner is expected to do his/her own work.
IV. Ethics in Scientific Inquiries
Honesty is a key component of scientific work, whether on the forefront of scientific research or in an IMSA laboratory. The practices (both good and bad) that are learned in an IMSA lab greatly influence your education. Consequently any violation of the honesty policy is considered a serious offense.
Examples of Violations:
1. Falsification of data; fabricating or changing data in your notebook or
formal reports.
2. Plagiarism: representing another's work as your own; submitting
written reports with sections directly or indirectly quoted from another source
without referencing that source.
Working Together: Where to draw the line:
In experiments done with partners, it is expected that you will share
data and observations. It is expected that you will always discuss the
experiment and exchange ideas with your partner(s), other students, your
instructors, etc. However, unless specifically told otherwise, each
report is an individual report. By signing your name to it, you testify
that the ideas, calculations, results, discussions and conclusions are yours
alone, except as referenced. Copying, borrowing, lending or sharing of
the words and work of or with another, (directly or by paraphrasing) is
plagiarism. Simply put, all intellectual exchanges before writing the
report are acceptable. Unreferenced use of another's written material or
joint production of a written report is not acceptable, unless you are
specifically told to write a group report. Consequences of violating
these rules are explained in the student/parent handbook.
V. Assessment Policy
A. The following will be assessed:
1. Assessment Tasks (AT’s) 30%
2. Quizzes 35%
3. Homework 10%
4. Lab reports 20%
5. Ownership of Learning 5%
B. Assessment Scale:
A Work that exceeds expectations
B Work that meets expectations
C Work that is below expectations but above passing
D Does not meet expectations
Fall 2005 SI Physics 1st
Quarter Grades
Fall 2005 SI Physics 2nd Quarter Grades