By DANI BARKEY
Chief Accountability Officer, Warsaw Community Schools

Warsaw Community High School is currently offering three different physics courses: a regular yearlong high school physics course, AP physics 1, and AP physics c: mechanics.

Both AP courses give the students the opportunity to obtain college credit by passing the AP exam at the end of the year. AP physics 1 is designed for those interested in a major that requires a lab science but not necessarily in the STEM fields (pre-med, architecture, industrial management, visual communications).

AP physics c: mechanics would be for students that are interested in pursuing careers in STEM fields.

If students are not too sure that they are ready for the rigor of a college course but are intrigued at the idea of learning how the world works, then regular physics would be the perfect course for them. Jonathan McDillon and Shaza Katrib co-teach the physics classes with an innovative new approach to learning. They both anxiously look forward to the next few years and the opportunity to offer even more physics course offerings to meet the needs of the jobs of tomorrow.

All three current courses offer students the opportunity to explore the physical world around them, confront common misconceptions, learn how to problem solve, practice critical thinking, and gain a better understanding of how the world works. Students will have the opportunity to learn through a variety of activities including project based learning, modeled problem solving, individual and group work, lab activities and classroom demonstrations.

A favorite learning experience of students so far this year has been the opportunity to measure their own power output. The power generated was calculated in joules and then converted to horsepower to see how the student would fare as a beast of burden. In the AP physics 1 class there were two winners. Each was presented with a coveted “Physics Lab Champion” trophy. They are currently on display for all students to be inspired to physics greatness.