With one week to go before break, we are close to the end of the semester! When we return, we have one week plus a day before finals. Stay focused, and have fun!

This Week in AP Physics
On Tuesday the  FRQ Practice Problems FRQ Practice-Problems from unit 6 are due. This week we will begin to explore oscillations and gravitation in Unit 7. Guided reading 2 will be due, as announced. Depending on our progress we may complete a spring force constant lab this week, although there will be some disruptions to our schedule. Expect a quiz at some point during the week, but we will not test this unit before break. It marks the last of the content covered on the mid-term exam.

This Week in Physics
We will continue to explore the work-energy theorem. If you have not yet completed the notes on the following podcasts, please be sure to do so by Monday: Podcast 7 – Work-Energy Theorem, Podcast 8 – Work-Energy Theorem Sample Problem 1, Podcast 9 – Work-Energy Theorem Sample Problem 2, Podcast 10 – Work-Energy Theorem Sample Problem 3, and Podcast 11 – Work-Energy Theorem Sample Problem 4. On Monday and/or Tuesday we will complete assignment 2 and take a quiz the next day. When announced (likely for Wednesday,) please take notes on Podcast 12 – Conservation of Energy, Podcast 13 – Conservation of Energy Sample Problem 1, and Podcast 14 – Conservation of Energy Sample Problem 2. We will cover these topics and begin assignment 3 together. When we return from break we will complete this unit, which marks the final topic covered on our mid-term exam.

This Week in Astronomy
We will complete our prep-work on our planet presentations and then share the material with the class. We will cover comets, asteroids, and meteors and test this solar system unit on Friday. Please plan ahead to be prepared, since you may have tests in other classes that day.

Cool Science of the Week
We talk a lot in class about being ready for college and career with your 21st century skills, and one of the most important skills is a creative mindset. Invention involves science and technology, but it also involves imagination. Check out these 25 inventions that Time Magazine has recognized as the best inventions of 2013. These inventions can help blind people see, paralyzed people walk, and can bring extinct animals back to life. What could you do if you used your imagination and science skills?