Physical Science Syllabus
Course Name: Physical Science School Year 2023-2024
Course Instructor: Luke Mullisen [email protected]
Course Philosophy: Why should we study topics like Physical Science? Answer: for the glory of God. Some students say they’ll never use the information later in life - but students can’t predict the future. Where do today’s smart scientists come from? How did they get interested in the field of Physical Science? It usually starts in school. They became interested when they learned a little about God’s creation - and they wanted to learn more. This could be you.
Louis Pasteur, the famous French scientist said “The more I study nature, the more I stand amazed at the work of the creator. Science brings men nearer to God.” This class will prompt you to stand amazed at God’s marvelous creation, and challenge you to learn about how rockets work, how magnets work, how electricity and sound and lasers work. There will be some memorization, games and projects involved - but best of all - we get to build rockets and race cars. For the glory of God.
Course Weights:
Daily Work. This category includes homework, in-class work, assigned reading, participation, or similar assignments. 20%
Formative Assessments. This category includes quizzes, or assignments/activities that are done to determine mastery prior to the end of a unit. 25%
Summative Assessments. This category includes tests, essays, projects, or presentations positioned at the end of a unit to assess student mastery. Mid-term and Final exams also fall into this category. 35%
Capstone Grade This category is for your capstone grade.20%
Late Work Policy: 15% point value will be deducted for each day an assignment is late.
Test Retake Policy: Per my discretion, I might allow students to retake one test, but the highest grade achievable on the retake will be a 70%, which is a C-.
Broad Course Objectives: Through the course of this year, students will demonstrate a conceptual understanding of the following categories:
Big Projects & Activities: Students will create a large-scale science fair project for STEM night!
SUPPLIES NEEDED: Most important item: Buy a Composition Notebook. (I'll also accept spiral bound notebook, but they fall apart fast). You need one for JUST science class. You’ll also need a pencil pouch that will fit in the rings of your binder (the larger the binder the better). In the pencil pouch you’ll need to bring at least two pencils and 1 or 2 highlighters. A sharpie and large eraser are recommended, but not mandatory.
Grades will be posted online , and will be available upon request every day after school or by email. It is your responsibility to know what your grade is and work to keep it up.
A: 90-100% B: 80-89% C: 70-79% D: 60-69%
Below a 60% is failing. YEESH! See me right away! Let's fix that grade!
Remember supplies needed:
Parents: Thank you for the privilege of teaching your child! Please feel free to contact me at any time during the school week with questions or concerns about your child’s grade, or need help. [email protected]
Students: I’m excited! We’re going to have an amazing year together as we worship God through learning about his creation. He is so good, and his works are amazing. Let’s go!
Joyfully in Christ,
Luke Mullisen
"Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last." CT Studd
FIRST HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT OF THE SEMESTER:
Parents: both of you or just one of you please sign your name indicating you have read and agree to the policies in the syllabus. Email me with questions and concerns - thanks!
[email protected]
_____________________________________ __________________________________
Students: Sign your name indicating you have read and agree to the policies in the syllabus:
_____________________________________
Student survey: (write a paragraph answering these questions)
What do you expect from this class? How hard are you willing to work to get an A on every test? Also, tell me something about yourself that I don’t know. What are your strengths? Your interests? Finally - explain to me what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.
______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
Course Instructor: Luke Mullisen [email protected]
Course Philosophy: Why should we study topics like Physical Science? Answer: for the glory of God. Some students say they’ll never use the information later in life - but students can’t predict the future. Where do today’s smart scientists come from? How did they get interested in the field of Physical Science? It usually starts in school. They became interested when they learned a little about God’s creation - and they wanted to learn more. This could be you.
Louis Pasteur, the famous French scientist said “The more I study nature, the more I stand amazed at the work of the creator. Science brings men nearer to God.” This class will prompt you to stand amazed at God’s marvelous creation, and challenge you to learn about how rockets work, how magnets work, how electricity and sound and lasers work. There will be some memorization, games and projects involved - but best of all - we get to build rockets and race cars. For the glory of God.
Course Weights:
Daily Work. This category includes homework, in-class work, assigned reading, participation, or similar assignments. 20%
Formative Assessments. This category includes quizzes, or assignments/activities that are done to determine mastery prior to the end of a unit. 25%
Summative Assessments. This category includes tests, essays, projects, or presentations positioned at the end of a unit to assess student mastery. Mid-term and Final exams also fall into this category. 35%
Capstone Grade This category is for your capstone grade.20%
Late Work Policy: 15% point value will be deducted for each day an assignment is late.
Test Retake Policy: Per my discretion, I might allow students to retake one test, but the highest grade achievable on the retake will be a 70%, which is a C-.
Broad Course Objectives: Through the course of this year, students will demonstrate a conceptual understanding of the following categories:
- Philosophy of Science (what is science?)
- Speed (how fast is fast?)
- Momentum (it’s hard to stop a train)
- Projectiles (rockets!)
- Forces (gravity and crashes!)
- Newton’s Laws (more crashes and shooting stuff)
- Simple Machines (ramps, pulleys, levers)
- Energy (kinetic, potential, mechanical, electrical, thermal)
- Heat and Temperature (they’re different!)
- Pressure, Floating, and Flying (Wright Bros!)
- Wave power (hint: it’s big!)
- Sound power (including music)
- Electricity (motors and lights)
- Light (lasers vs mirrors)
Big Projects & Activities: Students will create a large-scale science fair project for STEM night!
SUPPLIES NEEDED: Most important item: Buy a Composition Notebook. (I'll also accept spiral bound notebook, but they fall apart fast). You need one for JUST science class. You’ll also need a pencil pouch that will fit in the rings of your binder (the larger the binder the better). In the pencil pouch you’ll need to bring at least two pencils and 1 or 2 highlighters. A sharpie and large eraser are recommended, but not mandatory.
Grades will be posted online , and will be available upon request every day after school or by email. It is your responsibility to know what your grade is and work to keep it up.
A: 90-100% B: 80-89% C: 70-79% D: 60-69%
Below a 60% is failing. YEESH! See me right away! Let's fix that grade!
Remember supplies needed:
- composition notebook (spiral bound isn’t as good, but okay if you already bought one)
- pencil pouch
- LOTS of pencils (bring at least two each day)
- one or two highlighters (your choice of color!)
- Sharpie and large eraser (recommended - not mandatory)
- a Chicken Biscuit (just kidding)
Parents: Thank you for the privilege of teaching your child! Please feel free to contact me at any time during the school week with questions or concerns about your child’s grade, or need help. [email protected]
Students: I’m excited! We’re going to have an amazing year together as we worship God through learning about his creation. He is so good, and his works are amazing. Let’s go!
Joyfully in Christ,
Luke Mullisen
"Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last." CT Studd
FIRST HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT OF THE SEMESTER:
Parents: both of you or just one of you please sign your name indicating you have read and agree to the policies in the syllabus. Email me with questions and concerns - thanks!
[email protected]
_____________________________________ __________________________________
Students: Sign your name indicating you have read and agree to the policies in the syllabus:
_____________________________________
Student survey: (write a paragraph answering these questions)
What do you expect from this class? How hard are you willing to work to get an A on every test? Also, tell me something about yourself that I don’t know. What are your strengths? Your interests? Finally - explain to me what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.
______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________