science
Description of Classes
Fundamentals of Physics - 3-year courseAP Physics I - 32-week course
High School Physics - Summer Course
Physics - Private Tutoring
About Our Instructor
Fundamentals of Physics
A 3-year course offered to students in Grades 7 through 10
Studying physics strengthens quantitative reasoning and problem-solving skills that are valuable in areas beyond physics. We strongly believe that physics should be taught early and thoroughly. This 3-year course will serve as a solid foundation for high school physics classes such as Physics Honors and AP Physics.
Fundamentals of Physics 1 - Grades 7 and 8 
Prerequisites: Algebra 1.
Students will learn the fundamentals of mechanics. The class will feature interactive demonstrations, and students will build on observation and class discussion to develop a strong foundation in physics. Students will explore how physics formulas and equations reflect the observed motion of physical systems, and they will use formulas to solve problems mathematically. Topics covered include: kinematics, dynamics, energy, momentum, and uniform circular motion.
Students meet once per week for 2-hours during the school year.
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Fundamentals of Physics 2 - Grades 8 and 9
Prerequisites: Fundamentals of Physics 1.
Students will learn the fundamentals of fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and electricity. Students will apply and build on their knowledge of mechanics and experimental principles, as they explore these new topics. The course will use interactive demonstrations to verify and reinforce physics concepts. Students will use both physics equations and general principles to solve problems, and they will make connections between formulas, physics intuition, and experimental observations. Topics covered include: pressure, buoyancy, Bernoulli's principle, heat transfer, first law of thermodynamics, gas laws, electrical charge, Coulomb force, electric fields, and DC circuits.
Students meet once per week for 2-hours during the school year.
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Fundamentals of Physics 3 - Grades 9 and 10
Prerequisites: Fundamentals of Physics 2.
Students will learn the fundamentals of circular motion, magnetism, and optics. Students will apply and build on their knowledge from Physics 1 & 2 as they explore new topics. The course will use interactive demonstrations to verify and reinforce physics concepts. Topics covered include: rotational kinematics, torque, rotational inertia, rotational kinetic energy, angular momentum, orbits, magnetic forces, magnetic fields, Faraday’s law, inductance, properties of light, reflection and refraction, mirrors, and lenses.
Students meet once per week for 2-hours during the school year.
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AP Physics 1
Prerequisites: Honor Algebra 2 and Pre-calculus (or taking concurrently)
This course will follow the curriculum of the College Board AP Physics 1 course and prepare students for the Advanced Placement examination. It is a college-level, algebra-based introductory physics course for the advanced math/science student. The course covers kinematics, Newton's laws and dynamics, circular motion, gravitation, energy, momentum, simple harmonic motion, rotational motion, basic electrostatics, DC circuits, and mechanical waves and sound.
All students enrolled in the course are recommended to take the Advanced Placement examination in May.
Students meet once per week for 3 hours; 32-week course. Total instructional time 96 hours.
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High School Physics: Summer Course
This course covers algebra-based mechanics, and provides an in-depth preparation for both honors physics and AP Physics 1 courses. Topics covered include the central topics seen in most honors and AP Physics 1 courses: kinematics, dynamics, gravitation and circular motion, work and energy, momentum, and rotational motion. Prerequisites: Algebra 2. Meets 6 hours per week.
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Private Tutoring
We also offer private tutoring in physics (AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, AP Physics C, and Physics Honors) and chemistry (AP Chemistry and Chemistry Honors).
About Our Instructor
Nathan Senecal earned a B.S. in Mathematics with a concentration in Pure Mathematics Summa Cum Laude from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He plays an instrumental role in the development of the high school curriculum, including a unique physics curriculum. Nathan teaches online and in-person math and physics courses for students in grades 6-12. He is an enthusiastic instructor with a keen teaching style. He loves helping students explore the unexpected results and connections in mathematics, and helping them develop both the mathematical rigor and the curiosity and creativity needed to tackle interesting problems. His enthusiasm and love for math keeps students engaged in the learning process.
