Physics Literacy for the 21st Century

Teen Focus 12+

Richard Muller, the author of our course books, describes physics as the “Liberal Arts of High Tech.” Topics like energy, global warming, terrorism, satellites, space exploration, and more have a fundamental connection to physics concepts. Understanding physics, as Richard Muller writes, means “you will never again be intimidated by technological advances.” This is of growing importance not just for future leaders of our nation, but also for those who vote and put these leaders in power.

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Richard Muller, the author of our course books, describes physics as the “Liberal Arts of High Tech.” Topics like energy, global warming, terrorism, satellites, space exploration, and more have a fundamental connection to physics concepts. Understanding physics, as Richard Muller writes, means “you will never again be intimidated by technological advances.” This is of growing importance not just for future leaders of our nation, but also for those who vote and put these leaders in power.

Students who take this class will come away with an understanding of the most important physics concepts for world citizens to understand (and, also, some relativity for fun). The content used in this class is being taught at some of the best universities in the United States and was originated at U.C. Berkeley. Where possible, online resources and labs will be used to allow interested students to dig even deeper into science topics than your average POTUS will ever need.

Students will learn the physics of:

  • Terrorism
  • Energy Sources and Catastrophes
  • Nukes
  • Space
  • Global warming

This is a 16-week class for teens working at an advanced high school level. Weekly webinars are 50 minutes long. Recordings are available for students who must miss a session.

Links to required books:

Richard Muller’s textbook, Physics and Technology for Future Presidents, contains much of the same content from the two required books, but doesn’t address the material in the same order or style. Please do not order this book unless you plan to use it independently as a supplemental resource in addition to the two required books.

Topics Covered

US Energy Policy
Energy and Heat
Radiation
The Manhattan Project
Nukes
Nuclear Terrorism
Nuclear Power
Nuclear Disasters
Terrorism and Bioterrorism
Electricity and Storage
Oil and Gas
Magnetism
Clean Energy
Climate Change and CO2
Light and Lasers
Energy Alternatives
Conservation
Force and Gravity
Invisible Light and Satellites

Challenge Level

Aimed at students ready for work appropriate to grades 9 through 12. This is a high school science course open to students ages 12 and up who are prepared to consider and discuss challenging physics and public policy concepts at a high school level.

Time Commitment

Most students report spending approximately 2-3 hours per week on homework outside of the webinar.

Instructor

Headmaster Galahad

Reading List

Physics for Future Presidents
Energy for Future Presidents

Usually Offered

Fall Semester

Prerequisites

No previous science experience is required, though a middle-school or high-school science class is recommended. The course does use some math (students should know how to find square roots and how to use exponent notation, though this will also be covered in homework). Students must be prepared to read, view, and analyze challenging material at a high school level. Students must also be able to write multi-paragraph texts independently and participate actively in written discussion forums and in the live webinar.

Available Sessions

Fall 2024 Monday 12pm Pacific, Fall 2023 Tuesday 11am Pacific, Fall 2022 Monday 11am Pacific, Fall 2021 Mon 12pm Pacific, Fall 2020 Wed 12pm Pacific, Fall 2019 Friday 11am Pacific, Fall 2018 Wednesday 11am Pacific, Fall 2017 Thursday 10am Pacific