Pre-Physics Course Overview:

A stapler may not seem like a remarkable physics tool, but through it, we have the opportunity to observe several types of simple machines that can assist us when doing work.

This is just one of the many interesting concepts students will explore in Pre-Physics. Beginning with the characteristics of matter and motion, students will learn about famous scientists like Newton, Galileo, and Kepler. Students will study the four types of simple machines and how they make work easier. Students will even get to build their own simple machine. They will go on to study electricity, magnetism, light, heat, sound and explore an introduction to nuclear physics. Grades will be based on reading assignments, lab assignments and tests.

This course will not only build a solid foundation of understanding in the field of physics, but will also help students learn how to produce quality lab reports, take notes over reading, and prepare for exams. They will turn in a minimum of three lab reports as assignments on labs chosen by the teacher. Importance will be placed on the students’ understanding of scientific inquiry, the scientific method, and the resulting science lab reports.

Grade Levels

6-9

Prerequisites:

No prerequisites.

Demo Course Video

Curriculum:

Exploring the World of Physics, From Simple Machines to Nuclear Energy, by John Hudson Tiner, © 2006 John Hudson Tiner, ISBN 978-0-89051-466-5

Required Equipment:

Lab materials and supplies are provided by the family. A list of needed supplies is made available to families upon enrollment through the class page. As this is an introductory, 1 semester course, an emphasis has been placed on using supplies that are easy to find and cheap to purchase.

Syllabus Download:

Pre-Physics Syllabus – Spring 2020 [PDF]

Course Outline:

• Motion
• Laws of Motion
• Gravity
• Simple Machines
• Energy
• Heat
• States of Matter
• Wave Motion
• Light
• Electricity
• Magnetism
• Electromagnetism
• Nuclear Energy
• Future Physics
• Review for Final Test (comprehensive and required)

Meet the Teacher

Chris Leingang

Pre-Physics, Physics, Pre-Chemistry, Chemistry, Forensic Anatomy, Creation Science

The desire to be a teacher was birthed in me during my 8th grade year. After graduating high school, I entered college with that desire still burning inside. In 1996, I graduated from Portland State University with a B.S. in Science with an emphasis in Chemistry and Physics and then went on to graduate from Concordia University [...]