By Mac Galui & Patricia Boyrcz
Warrior
Utica HS
Division 3, Yearbook
Academic Writing
It’s second hour and Jim Konnie’s class is nowhere to be found. The chairs are empty; the classroom is dark.
Rather than sit in class every day, listening to lectures and taking notes, A.P. Physics students were outside, kicking footballs and measuring the distance traveled, time elapsed and the angle of projection.
“My favorite part about physics is the group discussions,” junior Autumn Findley said, “because we teach each other instead of being taught by our teacher.”
Honors Physics dropped a bowling ball off the roof and used carts and ramps to determine how length and height affect velocity, they also found the height of a tree by measuring its shadow. In physics classes, labs get students out into the real world, where they can see how things work and conduct experiments.
“I like doing experiments outside the classroom,” senior Michael Woelkers said. “It shows how science applies to the real world.”
Even the traditional physics classes participate in active labs. Regular physics did a bungee lab during first semester in the hallway to find constant velocity. In addition to these in school labs, some students have the opportunity to go to Cedar Point to conduct their experiments.
“I really enjoyed going to Cedar Point last year,” senior Anna Lewis said. “ It was fun to learn how physics applies to roller coasters.”
Teacher Bryant Sebastian enjoys taking students on this field trip, recognizing that it is a unique science experience.
“I love doing experiments outside the classroom,” Sebastian said. “The classroom setting gets boring after a while.”
Sebastian’s unconventional labs and classroom style appeals to students.
“I wish I would of taken physics,” senior Chelsea Koger said, “so I could of had him as a teacher again.”