Honors Physics is a quantitatively rigorous, accelerated laboratory course designed to give students a more conceptual and in-depth understanding of the laws and theories of physics associated with forces and motion, types of interactions, wave properties, electromagnetic radiation, and information technologies and instrumentation. Students will apply science and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) to construct their understanding of the quantitative relationships within physics, including designing, conducting, and evaluating scientific investigations of physics phenomena. Significant independent research, quarterly engineering projects, and laboratory work are integral to the learning experience and will emphasize planning and carrying out investigations, analyzing, interpreting, and reporting data, and using algebraic expressions and exponents to solve complex equations as they develop solutions to real-world problems. This course will also involve students developing solutions to authentic problembased physical science issues and investigations, while exploring career opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Upon successful completion of this course, students will be prepared for enrollment in Advanced Placement Physics.
