Physics: A Family-Style Science Program (Layers of Learning Science)

Physics is a science course about the most fundamental rules of the universe and the way it works. Physics includes the study of things like motion, machines, magnetism, heat, energy, sound, and light. All other branches of science rely on the understanding of the physical laws of the universe that physicists have discovered. This course covers all the basics that would be found in a high school physics course including things like force diagrams, Newton’s Laws of Motion, Einstein’s ideas about gravity, work and energy in the scientific sense, simple machines, fluids and Bernoulli’s principle, wave interference, the relationship between temperature and pressure, electricity and circuits, magnetic fields, and the nature of light including quantum physics. In this course we focus on classical mechanics but touch briefly on special relativity and quantum mechanics. Most of the concepts in physics can be taught to any age student and Layers of Learning specializes in family-style learning where the whole family learns together. Each Experiment has its own list of materials and since the Experiments are pick-and-choose it is not possible for us to know exactly which materials you will need. The vast majority of items are things you probably already have at home or can pick up at a local store. However, here are some basic specialized materials you will probably want to have on hand. Electronic balance Thermometer (scientific Celsius) Spring balance Magnets Electric wires, battery holders, lightbulbs, etc or an electricity kit These units books are for the mentor, not to hand to the student. They are supposed to be used repeatedly. Since this is a pick-and-choose curriculum, you do some of the experiments and explorations and save others for later on. If you follow the four-year cycle, you will progress through Earth & Space, Biology, Chemistry, and finally Physics over the course of four years. Then you will cycle back to Earth & Space in the fifth year when your kids are older and learning at a higher level. In all, you may use this book three times with your child. The Physics units contain lessons ranging from flying paper airplanes to E=mc2. There are plenty of concepts for little kids and plenty to challenge high schoolers. Most lessons are meant to be taught to many ages, from 6-year-olds clear up to seniors in high school. Each age group gets the same Exploration or Experiment and principles, but they learn on the level they are ready for. Books from your library and videos from the YouTube playlists customize the learning for each age.