AP physics captures interest
The
classroom is littered with arcane contraptions, some for measurement, some
clearly for demonstration, and some the purposes for which are unclear. A Van
de Graaff generator sparks merrily in the dim light
provided by the covered windows, electrifying the air and the hair of those
around it. Wave machines, pressure gauges, springs, weights, and pulleys all
lie on the main desk, sharing the space with the odd Lava Lamp.
In
fact, in this class there are more bizarre contraptions than people; the
high-ceilinged room claims only nine students, one teacher’s aide, and the
instructor, Nathan Elken. Despite its size, the AP
physics class is not to be written-off lightly.
Though
advanced placement physics has been taught at the high school before, this year
marks the first that second-year Santa Ynez Valley Union High School teacher
Nathan Elken has taught the subject. A graduate of
the UCSB physics department, Elken has a great talent
for and fascination with his subject and it shows in the way he teaches his class.
So far, the class has covered thermodynamics, kinetic energy, work and power
equations, and waves and harmonics, among other topics, and is working on
understanding electricity and currents. Like other AP classes, AP physics
ultimately is geared toward the AP test in May, but the smaller class size
allows a bit more freedom along the path of study.
In
addition to one senior acting as the teacher’s aide, the AP physics class is
composed of nine students — seven seniors and two juniors. The compact, intelligent
class works hard, but never fails to enjoy the practical applications of
physics — and as physics is a lab-based class, there are many experiments to
enjoy. Nobody can forget the self-powered car experiment, in which the cars
ranged from one foot tall to three feet tall; from stapled, to laced, to welded together; or the egg-drop-off-the-bleachers
expedition, where few of the study subjects survived intact.
In
addition to AP physics, Elken teaches conceptual
physics and integrated science to freshmen, and coaches
freshmen boys soccer. With the energy of nine bright, outgoing students, led by
Elken, the AP physics class should continue to be one
of the most dynamic classes on campus.