Yo-Yo Einstein takes no prisoners
Let the Good Times Roll
Physics means different things to different people. To bio students, it may be a true science. To chem students, it may be the girl next door. But to the bisyllabic students (hint: phys-ics), it is energy itself, and must be conserved.
This year, physics’ number one fan, the one and only Ms. Rebecca Fowler, is teaching three levels of physics, but unless an outside force is applied to change the situation, the highest level (IB Physics HL) may be akin to polar glaciers this time next year: no more than a memory.
Last year was the first year Higher Level Physics was offered in any form at Skyline High School, and was taught in a split SL/HL class with the nine HL seniors in the back. Despite Fowler’s valiant efforts, she was forced to relegate the teaching duties of the HL curriculum to the students themselves, as she had to devote at least three quarters of her time to the approximate 20 SL students still strangers to the ways of physics.
Consequently, both sections of the class struggled accordingly, and when the year was up, it was time to inscribe HL Physics in the book of life or death. With 12 prospective students, Fowler was able to convince administration to create an independent HL class for 2008-2009, and a dozen members of Fowler’s Followers rejoiced throughout the land.
The Day the Music Died
Fast forward to November 2008. It is fourth period, and the most devout of Fowler’s Followers have just gotten word that there is more pressure on Fowler from The Man to abandon her second-year course next year than there is on an ideal gas to conform to the rest of society. What do they do? Begin a crusade in the name of physics.
What makes the matter all the more infuriating is that the only reason the class is on the chopping block is the bureaucratic system of funding for classes. Basically, every class at Skyline is in a department, be it math, science, humanities, whatever. Each department has funding for a certain number of “sections,” which are basically periods. However, the number of sections per department is decided arbitrarily, and of course, no department is willing to give up any sections to another that is in need.
As a result, the administration’s number one priority is to reduce the number of classes with very few students in them, in order to create more sections for overpopulated classes, which coincidentally tend to be the most boring classes. Coughbiologycough. However, HL Physics is suffering just because it is within the already jam-packed science department. Other courses, such as the second year of sports medicine, also have few students, yet because their departments are less overrun with students (as a result of having more class options within the department), it is not a big deal.
Yet HL Physics is not a class to be cut for arbitrary reasons. It could be argued that out of all the classes at Skyline, it prepares students for college and a future career more than any other except perhaps DECA. In IB Physics HL, students receive a level of education that truly transcends ordinary high school standards, and the class’s atmosphere matches that of a college course, where students and instructor have a friendly relationship, as opposed to the superior-inferior one which permeates many more generic courses.
The same fate may await IB Math Methods 3, which is in jeopardy of dying with the class of 2009 as well due to the flawed funding system. The class was only able to exist this year after several students’ parents called in directly to the district. When the administration is trying to preach independence to students in order to prepare them for college and beyond, is the second-class treatment of the great minds of tomorrow really an effective message to be sending to the Skyline student body?
To pour salt in the open wounds of injustice, the higher level courses of the other two science classes, biology and chemistry, are alive and well without any chance of foreclosure barring the 2012 apocalypse. Outside of the science department, HL courses are thriving like it’s 1999. There are two periods of both IB 20th Century History and IB English 12. If not offering these courses is out of the question for administration, then why is the higher level of a physical science being neglected, especially taking into consideration the school’s newfound goals of fostering math and science?
Let’s Get Physical
One may argue that IB Physics HL just doesn’t have enough students interested to merit a class period when the other science courses are being loaded up with students. However, to state this is akin to stating the world is flat: correct at first glance, but ridiculous upon further examination.
Last year, the course had nine students, this year, it has 12, and Fowler reports that already, there are 15 prospective students for next year. For those offended by fractions, that’s a sustained 25% growth, meaning that in just a couple more years, this course would have over 20 students in it. Of course, one may argue that this growth rate will not continue, and in that claim, they would be correct if HL physics is not offered next year. If the course is not offered, interest in it will surely decline, and there is almost no chance enough students in a single grade would spontaneously pursue a non-existent course.
On the other hand, if the course is offered this year and the next, it is highly probable that more and more students will become interested in taking the course (following the model that other classes such as IB Biology HL, for instance, have shown), and within a few years, it will perennially draw 25+ students. By this time, perhaps even as soon as 2011, the population of other science classes will concurrently decrease, due to a proper distribution of student interest amongst the three primary sciences (no offense environmental systems, but right now, you’re like hockey—only interesting when people are fighting).
If the administration cuts IB Physics HL in favor of an extra biology section, the overcrowded classes may be solved in the short term, but in a few short years, the same problem will occur. Without a higher level physics course, more students will naturally gravitate towards biology and chemistry, and the classes will become more massive once again.
Clearly, I am biased in favor of physics, but objectively, it is not fair for the district to offer the opportunity of a higher level course to biology and chemistry students, but not extend the opportunity to those interested in physics. Although the class size problem is a valid argument if only concerned with the next few years, as a student, I would certainly hope the administrators determining the curriculum for the leaders, workforce, and citizens of tomorrow would have more foresight than that.
Just as last year, the time has come for IB Physics HL to be or not to be. It is a philosophical question that has been pondered as long as time itself. In such instances, history shows it is always wisest to consult the Beatles:
Let it be.
To learn more about the movement for Physics HL in 2009-2010 and beyond, please read this Facebook note from the same author, consult Ms. Fowler, or contact the author directly at J.Lestz@gmail.com.
Comments
a few entertaining highlights
A highlight of my own:
Physics HL makes so many references to the Mayan 2012 apocalypse. I would reckon that it is mentioned once or twice in a slow week, much more if we are talking about particle accelerators or other atomic gizmos. I’ve gone as far as calling it the apocalypse predicted by “my people”.
The song title headers were really clever.
Great article, publicity is just what this crusade needs
If biology is one of the more boring classes, then why does the bio HL class have almost 30 kids compared to the meager 12 in physics HL?
As a bionerd, I can field this question. When you think of the three sciences — Physics, Biology, and Chemistry, which do you think sticks out to the students as the easiest class? When you combine that with the fact that the sophomores automatically take biology, and that Ms. von Bargen reinvigorates a love for the subject in SL, it is a no-brainer.
I don’t think people were talking so much about biology being boring as it being the easier class, which it is. I’ve never taken physics, but I’ve taken both biology and chemistry and biology was a fair bit easier at the SL (and likely HL) level.
The negative comments towards biology in the article are unfounded and disrespectful to the science.
Is biology different than physics? Yes.
Is physics “harder”? Maybe to some.
Is biology deserving of less respect? No.
As a teacher in the Skyline science department, I know that we all value each others scientific interests and areas of expertise. It is too bad that the same can’t be said for the writer of this article.
In fact, we value IB physics HL so much in our science department, that AS A DEPARTMENT, we elected to run huge class size sections of other science classes so that IB physics HL could be offered this year. Biology teachers elected to sacrifice smaller sections of their courses so that higher level physics could run.
You’re welcome.