YOUTH INITIATIVE HIGH SCHOOL
Waldorf Initiative in Viroqua, Wisconsin, USA
COURSES AND CLASSES
February - March 2007
Physics: Tenth Grade
Mechanical Energy
Spark Burmaster, Teacher
Static: Buildings, Bridges and Cranes
Motion: Vehicles, Machines and Loads
Tools: Mechanical Advantage
Definitions and Equations
Objectives: The overall objective of the four year Waldorf High School Science Curriculum is to provide basics for the four sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Earth Science. All four sciences are taught each year for 3 weeks each topic. The topics for each year are summarized in a diagram.
9th Grade: Heat Energy: Conduction, Convection, Radiant, Heat engines; Solids, liquids, gases, Pressure and Vacuum Systems: Gases and Liquids; House Utility Systems
10th Grade: Mechanics : Motion and Static, Energy and Momentum Conservation
11th Grade: Electricity: Generation and Distribution, AC and DC
12th Grade: Electromagnetic Spectrum: Electric and Magnetic Fields, Radio Frequency, Energy Systems: Ecology: Environment: Think Globally, Act Locally
For Physics: The strategy for the teaching of mechanics is to demonstrate the principles by using objects commonly encountered in regular living. By learning to use them the student learns the physics principle. As automobiles are the largest user of energy in one‘s life, it is explored extensively.
Student Presentations are used to provide examples of mechanical energy usage.
Parameters:
Energy Diagram: Electromagnetic, Mechanical, Chemical, Heat; Gravitation, Nuclear
Dynamic, Kinetic Energy , Potential Energy
Motion: Linear, Rotational
Center of Gravity
Static: Compression - tension
Distance, Time, Mass
Equations: Force, Velocity, Acceleration, Momentum, Angular Momentum, Work
Illustrative Topic Areas:
1) Car issues: Operation and Maintenance: Engine Model Exam Con
2) Buildings, Bridges and Cranes
3) House Hold Objects, Mechanical Advantage, Hand and Power Tools
4) Moving and Lifting Heavy Objects, Hand Trucking
5) Projectiles
6) Factory Tours
Discussion: Robots
Construction Project: Momentum Vehicle, County Fair exhibit