A student from years ago made a recent connection! Thank you from a old retired classroom teacher!
Friday, April 21, 2023
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
Wednesday, November 16, 2022
Former Student Helps Trip to the Moon!
November 16, 2022
A former student who once won awards at the State Science Fair (2011 in Alabama) becomes part of the team helping the United States return humankind to the Moon in 2022!
Monday, July 25, 2022
Tutored Student wins British Physics Olympiad
June 6, 2022 in Guangzhou, China
'Spark" was in the 8th grade and took a Physics Test provided by the prestigious British Physics Olympiad. The outcome was a "Global Silver Award" placing him in the top 15% of competitors around the world. Dr. Tim Burgess has been his science tutor over the last school year.
The aim of the BPhO is to encourage the study of physics and to recognize excellence in young physicists through ten annual physics competitions.
These are designed to test understanding and problem solving skills and are open to able young physicists in school years 11-13 (GCSE to A2/IB/Highers or equivalent).
The BPhO includes a Junior Physics Challenge (online), an Intermediate Physics Challenge and an Experimental Projects students can enter.
Participation in a British Physics Olympiad is a challenge for able students which allows them to: Have fun problem solving; experience the perseverance and determination required to solve harder problems; test their knowledge with stimulating questions; see the real-world problem-solving potential of physics; practise open-ended and unstructured questions, as seen at higher levels of study and gain a prestigious award for CVs and UCAS forms. In addition to this students can develop the skills required for admission to top universities; compare their attainment with students from all over the United Kingdom; qualify for additional training with the best students, and have the chance to represent Britain at the International Physics Olympiad.
The British Physics Olympiad competition has many sponsors including Cambridge and Oxford Universities as well as Rolls Royce. This year’s contests run until the end of May 2022.
Four Decades of Fun Tutoring, Teaching and Leading!
Monday, June 7, 2021
Tutoring Helps Student Win USAP Competition in China!
June 5, 2021 in Guanghou Province, China
"The Pages School" that serves Chinese students asked that I tutor a special student who was young, eager and very bright. Lucky me! In the United States Academic Pentathlon Competition held in China "Spark" (his American "nickname") emerged as a gold medal winner in Math and Science in a very rigorous competition. Spark was in seventh grade when the tutoring began and was in 7th grade at the time of the competition. Spark won the overall USAP Gold Medal at this competition (the only Gold Medal in his Scholastic division). Spark also won:
a Bronze Medal in the "Fine Arts" category (not directly related to Physics).
the only Gold Medal in his division for the category "Science".
one of three students in his division to win the Gold Medal in "Mathematics".
a Silver Medal in the "Social Science" category (not directly related to Physics).
Spark's parents, his tutor (Dr. Tim Burgess) and his school were all very happy for these accomplishments!
Monday, September 16, 2019
Awesome Times Documented
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| Our youngest daughter graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Physics in December 2022. She is presently a research scientist with a company working on the Lunar Human Landing System. |
It was also an honor and great fun serving my students in the classroom as a teacher or as coach/mentor. I encouraged many of my students to take part in a variety of science competitions over the years and had many successes.
Serving 2 different schools as a science chair was an opportunity to work with amazing peers. Peers who enriched and challenged our students to accomplish in science.
I worked with many talented colleagues in a variety of workshops as a leader over the years that enriched my experience as a professional.
So here I organize and document some accomplishments at the state level or higher using past records. This project helped me remember how much fun it was!
Since retiring from the classroom some have sought me to continue mentoring, coaching and tutoring online. That now adds some new experiences as well.
I am adding as time permits even as our clan of grandchildren grow!
I am adding as time permits even as our clan of grandchildren grow!
4/21/2023 Former Student Honors Science with Charity
11/16/2022 Former Student Helps with Trip to Moon!
3/02/2018 Grade 9 Modeling Physics Results 2002-18
2/16/2018 State Physics Champions!!!
1/27/2017 Physics Competition Winners!
11/4/2016 Former Student Tells Awesome Story
4/02/2016 State Science Fair Champion!
1/29/2016 State Physics Champions
4/02/2015 State Science Fair Winner!
1/30/2015 Physics Competition Victory
7/19/2013 National Advanced Placement Conference
2/27/2012 Physics Competition Victory!
8/15/2011 First Senior Class with Freshman Physics!
1/29/2010 Physics Team Comes Close
10/20/2009 Evaluation by School Administration
9/16/2008 Evaluation by School Administration
8/17/2008 Physics First Starts for Freshman
3/5/2007 Evaluation by School Administration
12/7/2006 Super Cipher Video to Inspire Exam Preparation
3/09/2006 Evaluation by School Administration
In the decade (above) at a new school I focused on a "Faith, Science and Reason" initiative, a "Physics First" science sequence change, on coaching a physics team, guiding science fair competitors and encouraging competitive science pursuits in our department.
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In the previous decade (below) at a private independent school goals were to foster a more successful Advanced Placement Science program, implement "Computational Sciences" that created computer coded projects related to the physics and chemistry, coaching a Physics Team, coaching a Chess Team and guiding science fair competitors.
8/04/2005 Advance Placement Science Advances!
2/27/2005 Physics Team Comes Close
9/4/2004 Alfa Teacher of the Month
2/12/2004 Auburn Physics Invitational 1st Place!
2/06/2004 Physics Team Penta-peats 1st Place!
5/16/2003 Winner at International Science Fair!
2/07/2003 Physics Team Four-peats 1st Place!
4/11/2002 Auburn Physics and Chemistry Winners!
2/01/2002 Physics Team Three-peats 1st Place!
2/04/2000 State Physics Champions!
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I worked in the Mobile County Schools System for 10 years on paper but actually I spent one year observing and evaluating teachers as a contract employee for the University of South Alabama and another three years working for the Science in Motion Program. Six years were spent at SS Murphy High School.
05/01/1996 Physics of Bowling published in The Physics Teacher Journal
9/08/1990 Mobile County School Tenure Attainment Letter
8/28/1989 Masters Degree from University of South Alabama
12/21/1981 Bachelor Degree, Magna Cum Laude from University of South Carolina
11/16/1979 Honorable Discharge from the United States Air Force
12/1/1978 Associate of Arts Degree from St. Leo College
11/17/1975 Active duty beings in United States Air Force
7/21/1975 Enlisted in the United States Air Force
6/5/1974 Graduated from Windsor High School
12/31/1973 Athletic Hall of Fame for 1973
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