Mr. Brügge's Syllabus
2007-2008
"The world looks so different after learning science. For example, trees are made of air, primarily. When they are burned, they go back to air, and in the flaming heat is released the flaming heat of the sun which was bound in to convert the air into tree. And in the ash is the small remnant of the part which did not come from air, that came from the solid earth, instead.
These are beautiful things, and the content of science is wonderfully full of them. They are inspiring, and they can be used to inspire others."
--Richard Feynman
This course is designed to acquaint the student with the general principles of physics and chemistry. It will serve as a stepping stone to the more advanced study of these topics in high school. One semester will be spent on physics and one semester will be devoted to chemistry. Rote memorization of facts will be avoided--the ability to think and use knowledge is far more important.
This syllabus is based on the NM State Standards; see this link for the EMS parent-friendly version of the standards. The full text is available from the NM Public Education Department
First Semester--Physics
* Lab equipment and lab safety
* The SI (metric) system of units
* Mass, weight, and density
* Newton's laws of motion
* Work, power, and energy
* Waves--sound and light
* Atomic structure, electricity, and magnetism
Second Semester--Chemistry
* Properties, changes, and composition of matter
* Periodic table and chemical symbols
* Read Marie Curie And The Science of Radioactivity by Naomi Pasachoff
* Chemical formulas and equations
* Kinetic theory
* Acids, bases, and salts
* Organic chemistry
Writing is also an integral part of this class. All laboratory exercises will be written up based on the model used in the publication of peer-reviewed science journals. Students will also be required to produce a fictional science-based story each semester. The mechanics of writing will be evaluated. The ability to write well reflects the ability to think well--both are essential skills in science.
Nota bene: The above listing is simply a general outline; the sequence and topics are subject to change.