Physics Photo and Essay Contest Winner 2017!

I appreciate all of the students who responded to my challenge and prodding

with so many wonderful memories!

     Each year the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) publishes a calendar with student photo contest entries that are selected from many hundreds of entries from around the world each year (I know that they have exceeded a thousand entries in some past years).  A school is limited to 15 photo/essay entries each year.

     McGill-Toolen Catholic High School student Bayleigh Wilson's was a winner in 2017!  The 2018 AAPT Calendar features a photo submitted by McGill-Toolen Catholic High School Physics student Bayleigh Wilson (2020) TWICE.  I was delighted to see that her picture was selected to be on the cover of the calendar.  I was even more delighted to see that BOTH her essay and picture are featured for the month of March 2018 as well!  The insightful, coherent and physically accurate essay (an important part of the contest is the essay) is prominently placed with the photo on the calendar.

     The calendar is sent to everyone who receives "The Physics Teacher" journal (over 37,000 worldwide) and it prominently displays "McGill-Toolen Catholic High School" (Mobile, Alabama) and Bayleigh Wilson's insightful physically accurate essay (an important part of the contest is the essay).

     This is not "just a science" competition.  This particular competition requires an artistic flair, fluency in writing the essay and an awareness of how awesome and beautiful creation is.  So intellectual, emotive and spiritual artistry were all involved!  Such a selection means Bayleigh Wilson has multiple talents and skills obtained in more than just a science class.

     Another stellar  student accomplishment!

External Link:

https://www.aapt.org/photodirectory/2017_N-65_IMG_lg.jpg

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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.

Some of the fun I have  had as a teacher is here!

https://drbreminices.blogspot.com/2019/09/awesome-times-documented.html

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

It was cool to be able to oversee such a change prior to retirement!

https://physicsfirstworks.blogspot.com/2017/03/physics-first-starter.html

Multiple Winners at Computational Expo 2005!

I appreciate all of the students who responded to my challenge and prodding

with so many wonderful memories!

PRESS RELEASE

April 23, 2005
Auburn University Montgomery
Montgomery, Alabama

Multiple Winners at

Statewide 2005 Computational EXPO!

       The Alabama Computational EXPO 2005 was hosted by the University of Alabama in Huntsville and Auburn University Montgomery on April 22, 2005. UMS-Wright students won top recognition for performance on a research project, in written problem solving exams and in an essay contest. This was the 8th consecutive year that UMS-Wright placed winners in a high school division. Students in the "Computational Physics" class and/or "Computational Chemistry" class are required to write a program in computer code (BASIC. FORTRAN, C++, JAVA) to predict the results of some physical event and then compare this result with data from the actual event. The class is provided and extra 2 days of class each well.

       A research project titled “Physics by Hand: The Physics of Breaking Boards” by Evan Wilson, Andrew MacRae and Ken McElhaney won 2nd Place in the high school division for precalculus programming students. This research project investigated the forces and impulses applied to wooden boards shattered by martial arts experts. Special computer interfaced technology in the UMS-Wright Physics Research Lab were used in this research to measure and analyze forces applied over small fractions of a second.

       Evan Wilson won the “Deltacom Essay” award. Evan’s essay addressed a question concerning “the impact of using research on my learning in the classroom.” Evan discussed how his interest in a martial arts research project inspired him to learn more Physics. His written expression was identified as the best of the seventy papers submitted at the competition.

       All of the UMS-Wright competitors were identified among the top 15 scores among all students at this statewide competition in the written “Problem Solving Test.” The "Problem Solving Test” required competitors endure a grueling and difficult 90 minute test with a variety of presented word problems. The problems required students to make assumptions, extract relevant information on and apply quantitative reasoning to unfamiliar contexts.Bradley Johns, Evan Wilson, Andrew MacRae, Ken McElhaney and Matthew Peterson were recognized and provided with certificates documenting their outstanding performance.

       Matthew Peterson of UMS-Wright was recognized for obtaining the highest score on the written “Problem Solving Test” at the competition. Matthew was provided with an award, plaque and a $1,000 scholarship (to the University of Alabama at Huntsville). 

       Every UMS-Wright participant at the statewide Computational EXPO 2005 earned recognition in at least one competitive event.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Mr. Ed Lathan, Principal
Ms. Jane Williams, Academic Dean
UMS-Wright Preparatory School
334-479-6551 Ext 152 Fax: 334-470-9050

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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.

Some of the fun I have  had as a teacher is here!

https://drbreminices.blogspot.com/2019/09/awesome-times-documented.html

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

It was cool to be able to oversee such a change prior to retirement!

https://physicsfirstworks.blogspot.com/2017/03/physics-first-starter.html

1st Place at Computational Expo in 2004!

I appreciate all of the students who responded to my challenge and prodding

with so many wonderful memories!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

May 8, 2004
Montgomery, Alabama

Bulldogs Victors at
Statewide Computational EXPO!

         The Alabama Computational EXPO 2004 was jointly hosted by the University of Alabama in Huntsville and Jeff Davis High School at Jeff Davis High School on May 8, 2004.  Bulldogs won top recognition for performance on research projects, written exams, essays and in web page design.  This was the seventh consecutive year that UMS-Wright placed a first place winner in one of the three high school divisions! Students from UMS-Wright won certificates, plaques, cash awards & scholarships.
          The 1st Place research project and “Teachers Choice” award were won by Walker Plash, Jim Bailey and Howard Walker in a research project titled “The Medieval Siege Engine: The Catapult” (an computer based energy analysis of catapult performance).  The 3rd Place research project was by William Hatten and Dane Grovenstein with a project titled “Racket Slammer” (a computer based momentum analysis of tennis racket performance).  
         UMS-Wright students Walker Plash, Jim Bailey and Howard Walker  won 1st Place in “Student Website”.  Jim Bailey won 1st in the “Deltacom Essay” award.     
         In the written "Computational Exam" Walker Plash won 1st among all at the competition!  Four UMS-Wright students were among the top 15 students taking the exam and included Jim Bailey, William Hatten and Howard Walker.  UMS-Wright was also recognized for having the highest average score on the written exam among all participating high schools.  Walker Plash was awarded a scholarship for his performance on the exam.
       The students who took part in this competition are part of "computational Physics Class" that requires research and programming skills be developed to geneerate projects for this competition.  Dr. Burgess escorted the students to the "Alabama SuperComputer Program for Research In Education"  and stated  "These students are special.  Competence in coding, researching, writing and communicating must be performed at the highest levels to win at this competition.  That is precisely what they did.   These fine individuals need to be congratulated and honored!"

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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.

Some of the fun I have  had as a teacher is here!

https://drbreminices.blogspot.com/2019/09/awesome-times-documented.html

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

It was cool to be able to oversee such a change prior to retirement!

https://physicsfirstworks.blogspot.com/2017/03/physics-first-starter.html

Student Selected for MIT Physics Honors 2001!

I appreciate all of the students who responded to my challenge and prodding

with so many wonderful memories!

Student Wins and is Honored at MIT

August 29, 2001

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, Massachusetts

       Alex Moore, a Mobile area student (and UMS-Wright Preparatory graduate) was admitted into the Honors Physics program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. MIT is a highly selective university that has world wide reputation for providing a superior science and technology related education. A limited number of the freshman class at MIT are admitted into this highly selective Honors program annually. The program is designed to bring together (into a single class) some of the most promising students at the university.

       Selection required that the applicants (all members of the MIT freshman class) take a competitive Physics Exam. The competitive testing was provided to 111 aspiring freshman on August 22, 2001. The following week Alex Moore was notified he was selected as one of the 17 students in the program.

       Dr. Burgess, Chair of the UMS-Wright Science Department, said “It was certainly common knowledge at our school that Alex was a special student. Evidence now indicates that MIT agrees with our assessment. We were very fortunate to have a student like Alex with us at this school. His influence on the science department will remain for many years to come.”

UMS-Wright Preparatory School

65 N. Mobile St.

Mobile, Alabama 36607

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Dr. Tim Burgess, Science Department Chair

==============

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.
Some of the fun I have had as a teacher is here!
https://drbreminices.blogspot.com/2019/09/awesome-times-documented.html






“Physics First” was a department wide change in science sequence 

that I wanted to implement if able to.
It was cool to be able to oversee such a change prior to retirement!
https://physicsfirstworks.blogspot.com/2017/03/physics-first-starter.html