VISTA RIDGE
HIGH SCHOOL​
LINEAR PHYSICS​
History of Linear Physics @ VRHS​
Vista Ridge High School opened its doors in the 2008-2009 school year. At that time we followed tradition and had 9th graders in Biology for their first year of science. This worked okay and "everyone was doing it."
However, at Vista Ridge we are Dedicated to Excellence, Committed to Learning, Focused on Results, and Built on Relationships. As such, our goal is to improve student achievement; and being a part of the Power Zone with an emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)
a decision was made to follow the Progressive Science Initiative (PSI) program from the New Jersey Center for Teaching and Learning (NJCTL) starting in the 2012-2013 school year.
To truly understand biology, students need to understand chemistry, and to understand chemistry, students must understand physics.
Furthermore, alignment with mathematics works better by starting with physics. Typically, Algebra I is the 9th grade math course – biology does not assist students in learning algebra, but algebra-based physics does.
Linear Physics is algebra-based physics in one dimension. Keeping it in one dimension allows students to focus on the physics concepts and practice algebra skills at the same time.
Physics is the study of how things work. A benefit of this is it allows for a lot of hands-on activities where students can see physics in action and test predictions of concepts.
Studying physics provides students with problem solving skills, analytical skills, and the
ability to synthesize knowledge.
Coincidentally…these are abilities employers value and look for in their employees, regardless of which career field they may go into.
Additionally Linear Physics gives 9th graders opportunities to practice teamwork and cooperation, inquiry and questioning skills, and to communicate understanding of physics and make connections between physics and other subjects, athletics, hobbies, nature, and the universe.
PSI starts with physics because physics is crucial to understanding the world. Contrary to popular opinion, it is the most basic and fundamental science.
Additionally, Physics is the basis for many other sciences: chemistry, oceanology, seismology, astronomy, molecular biology, biochemistry, kinesiology, sports science, and MORE!
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My teacher had well organized notes and taught it in a way that all the students should have been able to pick up easily.
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I noticed if I kept asking questions about things I didn't understand, I'd eventually catch on. And after school tutoring helped.
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Labs were the best for me because they involved more activity and I understood more when I was either doing or seeing how the subject worked.
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Working with a partner who understood the topic well and was able to further explain the concept helped me a lot.
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Give us homework to turn in. It will help us understand better.
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The teacher was amazing. Physics was a very new and fun experience and I would love to take more physics classes.
Student Comments:
Results:
2011-2012
2012-2013