Honors Physical Science

About the Course

Honors Physical Science

Grades 5-8
CTY-Level
Individually Paced
Science and Engineering

In this course, you will study matter and energy, using models to investigate how they work in chemical reactions and the changes they cause in the properties of substances. You’ll investigate different types of forces, identify factors that determine their strength, and learn the effects they have on the motion of objects. Learn how motors and electromagnets work by applying concepts of electricity and magnetism, and discuss energy transformations in objects and systems, including heat flow between objects and light’s interactions with matter and the universe itself. While this course does not have any synchronous class meetings, you can schedule one-on-one virtual meetings directly with your instructor to review material.

Recommended length of enrollment: 3 months

Time Commitment: 3-6 hours of independent work per week

Students may enroll in this course at any time during the year.

Course Overview

What we'll do

We will complete three lab reports over six units, along with midterm and final exams. Each unit includes tutorials, think questions, activities, a discussion forum, and quizzes. Tutorials are provided for each unit subsection and include videos, readings, and practice exercises. Forums consist of questions that provide a starting point to reflect, expand on, and discuss the unit material. Quizzes will test your knowledge after each tutorial. Activities are short hands-on lab exercises to reinforce the topics we’ve learned and allow you to delve deeper into your choice of topics covered in the course. Finally, you will demonstrate the skills you’ve learned by designing your own lab.

What we’ll learn

What matter is, how we characterize it, and how it can change
About the energy and property changes that occur during chemical reactions
How to describe, analyze, and predict the motion of objects
What forces are and how to use them to your advantage to make work easier using simple machines
About gravity and how mass affects it
To identify factors that determine the strength of forces created by electric charge and magnets
Types of circuits and how current flows through them
How to differentiate between electromagnets, generators, and motors, and describe how they work
About energy, its different forms, and how it transforms from one kind to another
Different kinds of waves and how we use the characteristics and properties of waves in everyday life

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Apply the steps of the scientific method to explain phenomena involving matter and energy
Classify matter by its composition and properties
Explain and predict the outcomes of basic chemical reactions
Analyze and predict the motion of objects based on the principles of forces, energy, and motion
Apply the knowledge of how electric and magnetic fields affect charged particles to examine electric circuits, electromagnets, generators, and motors
Identify the different forms of energy and discuss how energy flows through systems
Use characteristics and mathematical models of waves to explain wave applications

How we'll measure learning

Student learning is assessed through graded activities, quizzes, exams, and lab report projects. Instructors evaluate student work using rubrics and guidelines and provide constructive feedback. This course is aligned to Next Generation Science Standards for middle school science.

Apply any time and get started in 2 weeks

Classes

Students enroll in a course by selecting an open class below. Students progress at their own pace following course guidelines, with guidance from instructors who strive to meet individual needs. While the course provides students with independence and flexibility, students must manage their time to complete the course before the end date.

Note: You need an active CTY Account to complete registration through MyCTY.

Up to 4.5 months of access

Choose your start date

$955

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Testing and Prerequisites

	Math	Verbal
Required Level	CTY-Level	or CTY-Level

Check your eligibility using existing test scores If you do not have existing test scores:

Students must achieve qualifying scores on an advanced assessment to be eligible for CTY programs. If you don’t have qualifying scores, you have several different testing options. We’ll help you find the right option for your situation.

Course Prerequisites

Honors Physical Science requires:

1 prerequisite

Successful completion of Grade 5 mathematics

Cost and Financial Aid

Tuition
- Varies
Application fee
- Nonrefundable Application Fee - $15 (Waived for financial aid applicants)
- Nonrefundable International Fee - $20 (outside US only)

Financial Aid

We have concluded our financial aid application review process for Academic Year 2023-2024 Online Programs (Courses with start dates July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024). Our application for Academic Year 2024-2025 Online Programs is expected to open in January. We encourage those who may need assistance in the future to apply for aid as early as possible.

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Course Materials

Please acquire all course materials by the course start date, unless noted as perishable. Items marked as “perishable” should not be acquired until the student needs them in the course. If you have questions about these materials or difficulty locating them, please contact [email protected].

View a detailed course materials list

Earning School Credit

Recommended school credit: One half of an academic year

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Technical Requirements

This course requires a computer with high-speed Internet access and an up-to-date web browser such as Chrome or Firefox. You must be able to communicate with the instructor via email. Visit the Technical Requirements and Support page for more details.

This course uses a virtual classroom for instructor-student communication. The classroom works on standard computers with the Zoom desktop client, and on tablets or handhelds that support the Zoom Mobile app. Recorded meetings can only be viewed on a computer with the Zoom desktop client installed. The Zoom desktop client and Zoom Mobile App are both free to download.

Most course lectures may be viewed on mobile devices, but some assignments and quizzes must be completed on a desktop or laptop computer.

This course uses Respondus LockDown Browser proctoring software for designated assessments. LockDown Browser is a client application that is installed to a local computer. Visit the Respondus website for system requirements.

Terms & Conditions

Students may interact in online classrooms and meetings that include peers, instructors, and occasional special guests.

Our Science and Engineering courses bring a variety of science topics to life. By introducing topics not covered in standard science curricula, we build and reinforce your science knowledge. All courses support critical thinking, problem solving, and reasoning, and encourage a real-life, hands-on approach to learning about Earth, space, life sciences, chemistry, and the physical world. Guided by expert CTY science educators, you’ll master science lab kits, perform hands-on experiments using common household objects, participate in dynamic group discussions, or prepare for AP exams.

Newly revised Honors Physics course

Our completely redesigned Honors Physics course features new lessons, conceptual and problem-solving videos, and guiding questions that teach students how to solve each type of problem. Hands-on exploration activities challenge students to solve everyday physics problems from how giant cruise ships stay afloat to how to ship fragile packages without them breaking. Putting their physics knowledge to the test, students compete in our catapult design competition for Furthest Launch and Creative Design awards.

More engaging science enrichment courses!

In the newly revised Inventions in Engineering course, students bring fantasy into reality by creating inventions to solve the problems of favorite fictional characters and the real world alike. A new unit in Introduction to Forensics asks students to evaluate the validity of various kinds of forensic evidence and its impact on the lives of individuals, and to provide recommendations on which types of forensic evidence should be admissible in the criminal justice system. In Household Chemistry, students engage in newly revised activities that help develop their skills in making and recording detailed observations using all 5 senses as they explore states of matter and the role chemistry plays in their daily lives.

Meet our Science and Engineering Instructors

I try to teach less and make students think more so they can come up with their own answers coupled with a better, deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Muhammad Ali Yousuf

Science and Engineering Instructor

One of the joys of teaching science is encouraging students to observe closely the world around them. I enjoy when students start to think critically about how everything in the natural world interacts with everything else, and how they can apply what they have learned in class to real life.

Keith Gallinelli

Science and Engineering Instructor

I am amazed at the level of tenacity of my students and am inspired by their quest to learn beyond walls and defined standards. They inspire me to learn more about our dynamic scientific world for continuous growth of their eager minds.

Tamica Stubbs

Science and Engineering Instructor

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