Teaching physics at middle school

According to the latest international student assessment more than 20 nations outperformed the U.S. in proficiency in science.

Taking the U.S. to the top of the pack when it comes to science proficiency is the goal for one Colorado Springs school district.

Monday at Carmel Middle School, Andre Spencer received an awarded for his work from Colorado Springs Mayor Steve Bach.

But for Spencer, the award belongs to hundreds of others.

“The award is for all of us and for all of the hard work that everyone has been doing to make this happen,” he said.

It was given for something unique that he and the district board decided to do a few years ago.

According to Principal Steve Thiessen, “Carmel (Middle) was the first school in the district, in the state of Colorado and even in the nation to bring physics into the everyday curriculum.”

Physics isn’t normally taught in middle school, but students here are learning to use it as part of their science course.

“It’s a high emphasis on math as well as the physics end of science,” said Thiessen.

This new way of teaching science is showing results and has been adopted district-wide.

Thiessen said, “when they do hands-on activities and be able to make the connections it becomes real and useful and relevant on everyday life.”

The students here will need all of the math and science they can get their hands on as they search for jobs locally: “our community is heavily enriched in (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) STEM jobs,” said Spencer.

And globally: “they’re competing with kids in China,” said Spencer.

If they learn physics now, then in the future that playing field will be more level.