<p>I am trying to decide if EPGY Physics Course (Introductory Physics) is appropriate for my 11 year old 7th grader.</p>
<p>He has high enough SAT math scores. Completed Algebra 1 through University of Minnesota Talented Youth Program (got A+) and is currently enrolled in Algebra 2 through the same program.</p>
<p>It appears that EPGY Physics course is AP-level course and I don't want to overwhelm my son. </p>
<p>I think more appropriate course would have been Honors Physics through CTD at Northwestern University but they require minimum verbal score from SAT, which he does not have. </p>
<p>If anybody had first hand experience with EPGY Physics course I would really appreciate it.</p>
<p>It looks to me like this is Algebra based. I think it is sort of like the Intro Physics my niece took in the 9th or 10th grade. I would imagine that AP Physics is Calculus based (or at least it should be) so this is probably not at that level.</p>
<p>The only question is if there is a lot of stuff from Alg 2 that you need for this class that isn’t in Alg 1 (like logarithms maybe? I can’t remember what’s in these math classes). But, since it looks like your kid had an easy time with Alg 1, maybe it’s okay - he could pick up what he needs. I’d see if I could find out what Math topics he needs for the class, and if he knows them or can easily understand them.</p>
<p>The good thing is, I guess, that since this is the 7th grade you can watch him and if it seems like he is frustrated or struggling you can pull him out of the class, no harm.</p>
<p>Editorial note - Eleven seems so young for to be taking this stuff, but since I started reading this website I found out it’s not all that unusual. Good luck</p>
<p>From what I understood they only require Algebra 1 as a pre-requisite for this course.</p>
<p>My son did not have an easy time at his Algebra 1 class. I had to explain several concepts to him after class because he did not get them during class and after reading the text book. </p>
<p>He has ADD and the program was perfect for him as they meet only once a week and he has to turn in his homework (which was a lot of homework) only once a week. He was doing pretty bad in Pre-algebra at his school in 6th grade (got D) because he would forget to turn in his homework or not turn in his daily work to the teacher.</p>
<p>We both think that he would do much better in on-line environment as I can make sure that he does his homework and turns it in. He wants to finish his physics and chemistry courses before he has to take Physical science in 9th grade (so that he doesn’t have to take it and get a bad grade and not be able to get into Honors or AP science courses at his school).</p>
<p>It looked at the curriculum for the EPGY Physics and it is pretty scary to me (and I am college graduate). I am affraid not being able to help him if is stuck.</p>
<p>There is no other venue for the science class in Minnesota other then those online classes - from what I understand. If people have other suggestions I would appreciate it.</p>
<p>I used that textbook in high school – 0 calculus whatsoever.As far as AP Physics requiring calc though, AB does not. There are two other physics test that do, but the website offers separate courses for that.</p>
<p>AP physics back in high school definitely wasn’t an “easy” course, in terms of required work. The content itself isn’t necessarily difficult, but I distinctly remember having a ton of work to do over the week. I can imagine a seventh grader being frustrated with copious amounts of extra – especially while his friends are out playing – but I think it’s absolutely doable for someone in his position.</p>
<p>My daughter qualified for the CTY programs fairly early and I encouraged her to take classes that would not be repeated in her regular school curriculum. Our schools do not have a gifted program and I thought that having her take anything that would put her any farther ahead than she already was would not be good. She qualified in both math and reading and selected programs in ancient history, forensics and Latin. She attended summer programs. Another summer program that is closer to you is the Joseph Baldwin Academy at Truman University in Missouri. It might be worth a look.</p>
<p>Are there any science courses that would not be repeated later but are of interest to your son? You don’t want to add stress, you want to enrich. Another program that you might look in to is Destination Imagination (similar to a better known program called Oddessy of the Mind) where groups of kids solve a problem. It is a great outlet for bright kids without adding homework.</p>
Quite challenging, algebra based, only need algebra 1. They teach you the rest.
Excellent multimedia interactive lectures
Very thorough. Covers more topics than AP Physics B and in more depth.
Self Paced, can go as slow or as fast as necessary.
Over preparation for AP Physics B and SAT II. These tests will be easy after taking EPGY Physics.</p>
<p>Cons:
Expensive. You pay for 3 months initially and then can add additional months as you need them. You always feel like the “meters running”.
Tutoring is of limited value. For someone who struggles a lot, this would be problematic.
Could be overwhelming to try to finish over one year. If you can afford it, plan on it taking significantly longer, maybe even taking breaks (you can put the clock on vacation but can’t do any work - honor code) to trying to finish mid way through P10C in time for a May AP exam. These are modeled after college classes offered at Stanford taken by pre-meds who are probably only taking 3 other classes. You can imagine they would be difficult for even a high school kid taking 5 other classes. </p>
<p>There is a great forum that offers physics help for students. I’ve used it many times, and everybody there is very accommodating. Unfortunately there’s a rule here against posting links to other forums – the site I’m talking about will probably the first hit on google though.</p>
<p>In addition to that, there is (great) information on physics all over the place on the web if he is willing to put in the work to find the extra help, he can be successful.</p>
<p>That forum is pretty good. Students can ask questions and they will get hints - not the answer - students have to figure things out and understand the question and the solution.</p>
<p>We just gave our son a Physics for Scientists and Engineers textbook when he was 13 and he used to spend a few hours a day working through the problems. He would always talk about what he learned when I came home from work.</p>
<p>@ClassicRockerDad, what grade was your D, and did she end up succeeding on the AP exam at the end of the year (you completed it…in a year, yes)? Thanks!</p>
<p>If its an ap level class, it will most likely be beyond anything your 11 year old has seen before and i highly suggest waiting until he’s at least 13 or 14 until attempting a class as notoriously difficult as ap physics.
Also, I’m pretty sure basic trigonometry is required for ap physics</p>