AP Physics 1: Winter Break "Blog"

Hello, my wonderful Physics Pholks!  

I hope this finds you each enjoying vacation!   For your next blog post, you're actually not going to write a blog post...instead, you're going to set up a webpage--yay!  Your website will be your digital portfolio for future digital products you create in class.

The web program that I'd like you to use is Weebly.com.  Weebly is a free website creation tool that allows you to drag and drop elements to customize your web page--no coding needed.  (However, if you're a coder, you can also modify your templates, etc).   To create your webpage, you will first need to sign up for a Weebly account.  Then, get designing! 

***NOTE:  When you create your site, BE SURE YOU DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR FIRST AND LAST NAME ANYWHERE.  When you are asked to create your subdomain, you will be setting the URL / web address that someone would need to get to your site.  DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR FIRST AND LAST NAME in your domain...and, make sure it is professional and appropriate--you never know when you might want to share your work with someone and you don't want your web link to be embarrassing!***

Your website should include:
* Homepage with basic information about your site
* Page/tab that links directly to your blogger site
* "Resources" page (you will add links to useful resources)
* "Screencasts"  page (you will be adding your screencast videos or links to your videos on this page)
* "Physics News" Blog page (you will use this to post new physics ideas/articles/cool things)

AP Physics 2 Blog #7: Tesla vs. Edison--Which will you choose?!

Hello, my wonderful physicists!  Ready for your next blog?!

When most people think of electricity, light bulbs, and electrical innovation, inventor Thomas Edison (or possibly Ben Franklin) probably comes to mind.  Yet, he isn't the only great mind in the realm of electricity.  For those in the know, another name that probably comes to mind is Nikola Tesla. 

Your task:  
Research the work and contributions of Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison, then write an argument (in the form of Claim-Evidence-Reasoning) for which scientist you think made the most significant contribution(s) that affect our modern, current lives.  Alternatively, you could also argue that someone else altogether should be considered the King of the Electrical Lab. 

If you include any data from your research in your blog, be sure to properly cite your sources. 

Game on!

AP Physics 2 Blog #6: Why Study Kinematics?

Hello, Physics Pholks!  

Since you've been practicing some kinematic calculations, it seems like the prime time to think about why and how kinematics might be useful in the real world.

Your task:  
1) What is "Kinematics"? Define this field of physics.

2) Choose three of the following articles/links to read.  Write a brief summary of how physics is involved in each real-world application of kinematics.  

Articles/Links/Videos:  Choose 3

Option 1:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhCR0UbW13Y

Option 2:  http://www.physicscentral.com/explore/action/crashreconstruction.cfm

Option 3:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tCajbgJgpI

Option 4:  http://www.iri.upc.edu/research/kinematics

Option 5:  http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/cyborg-beetles/

                 http://www.nbcnews.com/id/31906641/ns/technology_and_science-science/t/military-developing-robot-insect-cyborgs/#.VJO1icPAc

Option 7:  http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2005/03/24_octopus.shtml

Option 8:  http://www.wired.com/2012/09/the-physics-of-nike-hyperdunk-2/
Option 9: http://www.wired.com/2012/05/the-physics-of-the-hulks-jump/

Option 10:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaCGdBfcoMo

Option 11:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vN57XseOpw

Option 12:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhCR0UbW13Y 

Option 13:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BOUohniyJU

AP Physics 1 Semester 1 Final Blog Post (Blog #7): AP Physics 1 For Freshmen?

Hello, my wonderful, lovely AP Physics 1 Physicists!

Can you believe we're already about to wrap up the first semester of your high school career?  Crazy how time flies when you're having phun!

For this last blog post, please answer the following questions:

Should Northglenn continue to offer AP Physics 1 for freshmen?  Explain.
* Did you apply to be in AP or were you "placed" in AP physics?  Were you surprised to be in AP?  Excited?  Disappointed?  Why?
* Do you think AP physics is/was the right place for you?  Or, would you prefer to be in CP physics?  Why?  Explain. 
* What has been the most challenging aspect of AP physics?  What has been the least challenging (easiest) aspect of AP physics?
*  What do you think Ms. Dykstra could/should do differently to better support you (or future freshmen) taking AP physics?
*  If Northglenn continues to offer AP physics 1 for freshmen, what do you think the requirements/prerequisites should be for enrolling students in the class?
*  If Northglenn does NOT offer AP physics 1 for freshmen, how should we provide skill/ability-appropriate classes or coursework for all freshmen to better fit each students' math proficiency? 
*  Any other thoughts/perspectives that you would like to share on this topic.