Our mission is to teach students the scientific method so they can understand modern scientific descriptions of the universe and come to objective conclusions about the natural world. Like all members of the SI community we aim to educate the whole person, emphasizing the academic, extracurricular, and spiritual development of our students. [read more about the Science Dept. mission]
Physics Club
- Student Leaders
- President(s) for 2009-10 school year TBA
- Meetings and Events
E-mail me if you'd like to join the Physics Club. All members of the SI community with an interest in physics are welcome. We'll let you know what's going on.- Fall 2008
- Spring 2009
- field trip to Stanford Linear Accelerator Center
- Varsity Physics t-shirts
- Physics Homework Party Teaching Assistants
- E-mail me if you'd like to become a Teaching Assistant
- This is the "service" component of our club -- we offer our skills & expertise to other students learning physics
- TA Schedule
- Qualifications
- Students currently enrolled in Physics Honors or AP Physics with good communication skills and a good grasp of the conceptual and mathematical underpinnings of physics.
- Students planning to take an AP exam in May (AP Physics B for Honors students, AP Physics C for AP Physics students) are particularly encouraged to apply
- Guidelines
- If you have 5th period or after school duty, please be sure to sign your name on the sign-up sheet, located in the blue binder in the bookshelf in 313. If the binder is missing or if there is no sign-in sheet inside, let a physics teacher know that you are present and leave a signed note on my desk.
- If you have 5th period duty, please try to make it to Room 313 by 10 minutes after the start of lunch. You may eat in 313 if you are clean about it; how you get the food from the Commons to 313 without detention is up to you =)
- If you have after-school duty, please try to make it to Room 313 by 10 minutes after school ends. You do not have to stay longer than 50 minutes.
- There should always be an instructor in the physics area (either in the classrooms, the lab, or the physics office).
- Keep both doors to the classroom open at all times.
- Treat all students with respect and patience. Do not flirt or use sarcasm. Take on a kind, professional, compassionateattitude.
- If you can’t make your scheduled time, be sure you have another TA who can act as substitute. Students should always have access to TAs at the advertised times.
- Actively approach students with offers of help. Introduce yourself to all the students in there and let them know you're available to help.
- “The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery.” it is better for the student if you teach them how to do physics; don’t solve problems for them if they aren’t understanding what you’re doing.
- In your down time, please chip in by straightening up the classroom or lab room.
- Feel free to do your own physics homework if you aren’t busy – this avoids giving the impression that those who are ‘naturally good at physics’ don’t have to try or work hard. Similarly, please do not go into the lab and surf the internet or play video games -- we want you in a professional capacity.
- Look towards developing longer-term tutoring relationships with students who need the extra help; encourage them to come back regularly if they seem to be getting something from your tutelage.
- Don’t be afraid to approach teachers if you get stuck on a problem brought to you. You don't need to know everything to TA.
- Let me know if you need to change your hours.
- You will receive a grade for this work on your transcript -- the course will be listed as Physics TA.
- Grading Policy
for TA credit
- Failure to secure a replacement TA for your designated slot results in an unexcused absence.
- You are allowed one “slip up,” meaning you can have one unexcused absence without penalty.
- Grade of A: Student has zero or one unexcused absences from a 5th period or after-school duty
- Grade of B: Student has two unexcused absences from a 5th period or after-school duty
- A+ grades will be awarded for particularly outstanding commitment
- No grade lower than a B will be given. Rather, if you have more than two unexcused absence from your required session, you will be dropped from the course.
Our mission is to teach students the scientific method so they can understand modern scientific descriptions of the universe and come to objective conclusions about the natural world. Like all members of the SI community we aim to educate the whole person, emphasizing the academic, extracurricular, and spiritual development of our students.
We would like to see graduates of SI ...
- knowledgeable about a broad range of scientific topics
- confident and proficient in the use of the scientific method
- able to use core science knowledge to assimilate new ideas and discoveries
- aware and appreciative of the universe and its inhabitants
- effectively able to communicate scientific principles, theories, and historical discoveries
- comfortable with laboratory techniques and experimental apparatus
- conscious of the environmental and ethical consequences of scientific progress
- dedicated to acting as a "person for others" in accordance with Catholic faith, Jesuit tradition and our school's mission
- well prepared for future study in any academic discipline
- ... and eager to continue to enjoy, learn about, and practice science throughout their life.
To this end, we strongly advise students to take all three of our core classes (Biology, Chemistry, and Physics) as well as a 4th year elective course.
Comments? Corrections? Complaints? Contact the website author. Most recent page update: April 12, 2009 .