Thursday, August 4, 2005

Advanced Placement in Science Advances! 1989-2005!

I appreciate all of the students who responded to my challenge and prodding
with so many wonderful memories!
  

Advanced Placement Science Advances!
August 9, 2005
UMS-Wright students engaged Advanced Placement Science Exams (distributed by the College Board) in Science for 2004-5 school year with numerous successes. During the last academic year UMS-Wright had the second highest number of passing scores (in the school history) on Science Advanced Placement Exams (22 passing scores). Students took and passed exams in every AP-Science discipline including Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science and Physics. Typically only the most academically dedicated students (mostly seniors) take and pass AP Science exams.
In the years from 1989-1996 Advanced placement science exams passed never exceeded 6 and only one "Highest Recommendation" was earned in that y year period.  During the years 1997-2005 the number of students passing Advanced Science classes has increased to about 20 a year and 21 of the scores had the "Highest Recommendation" earned in that 7 year period.  The improvement in performance was phenomenal.
In 2005 Bernard (Beko) Binder and Russ Terry made the highest possible scores in both the Chemistry and Biology Advanced Placement (AP) Exams. Bradley Elliot obtained the highest Possible score in the Chemistry AP exam and also passed the Biology Exam. Olivia Clare Barrett passed two AP Science Exams in the same year (Chemistry and Biology). Passing two AP Science exams in the same year is considered to be a significant challenge for even the best of students.
Beko Binder passed four different AP Science Exams while a student at UMS-Wright! Beko earned the highest possible scores in three of the four AP Science exams he took (Physics with Calculus in 2004, Chemistry and Biology in 2005). Beko also passed the AP Physics exam as a sophomore in 2003.
Students passing the Biology AP Exam in 2005 included Beko Binder, Russ Terry, Stuart White, Olivia Barrett, Bradley Eichold, Bradley Elliot, James Galle, Kate Luce and Whitney Vautier.
Students passing the 2005 Chemistry AP Exam included Beko Binder, Russ Terry, Bradley Elliot, Olivia Barrett, Richard Ellisor, Jordan Schnieder and Selwyn Turner.
Passing scores in the 2005 Environmental Science AP Exam were earned by Andrew Dunning, Allison Garstecki, Gertrude Inge and Andrew Mazey.
An entire AP Physics class passed for the fourth consecutive year (Physics with Calculus in 2002, 2003 & 2004 and general Physics in 2005). Students passing the general Physics AP exam included Joseph Bowron (a junior) and Mathew Peterson (a sophomore).
The AP Science exams are considered among the most rigorous offered by the College Board. It is a genuine sign of achievement when a school of any size obtains passing scores in every available AP Science subject. Dr. Burgess (UMS-Wright Science Chair) said "It is possible to have such achievements because of the ideals and support of the entire school community. It is amazing that each year students with character and talent always step up to the challenge of becoming part of a distinguished history of achievement at UMS-Wright."



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Combining my love for competition and interest in science was something I did from early on in my career. 
I also liked to do “action research” to evaluate initiatives in my class and department.

Physics First” was a department wide change in science sequence that I wanted to implement if able to.



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