Adding Mentos to Coke with Foundations in Science: Energy and Matter (JS002) Peer Tutor Kabir Gupta

In this article, the Board of SASS interviews Foundations in Science: Energy and Matter (JS002) peer tutor Kabir Gupta. We hope that this article will help current and future Foundations in Science: Energy and Matter (JS002) students in their academic journey!

What did you enjoy about Foundations in Science: Energy and Matter (JS002)?

The labs are the best part of JS002! There’s one a week, and they were always really fun! Apart from the extremely awesome labs, the weekly discussion sections were also awesome, especially the instructors (Ms. Tock and Mr. Oparko)!!

What challenged you the most in Foundations in Science: Energy and Matter (JS002)? How did you overcome those challenges?

I did just mention the labs as the best part… but that does NOT mean they were the easiest! Part of the reason the labs were always so interesting was that they (usually) weren’t directly testing you on concepts you learned about in the readings, but instead helping you explore/understand a related topic! As a result, this could get pretty challenging sometimes… but struggle through it (or come to PTs/TAs/your instructor’s OH!) and it’ll be worth it, I promise you!

What tips do you have that could be useful to students taking Foundations in Science: Energy and Matter (JS002)?

First of all, it is *vital* to pay close attention during the readings. Don’t try to multitask, e.g. trying to do the practice quiz (or chatting on Skype!) at the same time. Do take notes, however — that’ll really help you! Secondly, definitely REACH OUT to us Peer Tutors, Teaching Assistants, or your instructors themselves! All of us are easily accessible and just waiting to help you guys! Don’t hesitate to go to TAs’/instructors’ office hours, or PTs’ Writing & Tutoring Center appointments! Finally, if something goes wrong during a lab or otherwise, just talk to your instructor and they WILL help you work something out.

About how much time did you spend a week working on assignments and preparing for discussion sessions in Foundations in Science: Energy and Matter (JS002)?

I would spend about an hour on the readings and practice quiz, up to 3 hours on the lab (including Post-Lab Questions), and around 15 minutes on the quiz (although that doesn’t really count, since it was in-class and timed). So, I would rarely spend over 4 hours per week on JS002 homework total!

What did the typical week in Foundations in Science: Energy and Matter (JS002) look like?

You would have to do your readings by Monday, before the first discussion section met. Then your lab was due by Tuesday evening (I’m told that this has been shifted to Wednesdays for the 2020-21 school year, but when I took this course it was Tuesday). On Wednesdays you had to finish your Practice Quiz, before the second discussion section met. On Thursdays, in class at the end of the second discussion section, you would take your quiz. And finally, by Friday morning, you would have submitted your quiz corrections to get back points you lost by getting a question (or more) wrong on the quiz.

What was your favorite topic covered in Foundations in Science: Energy and Matter (JS002)?

Wow, now that’s a hard question… one of the best experiments was the Coke-and-Mentos one (coming soon for you guys)!! All of the labs we did, though, were so awesome and memorable!

Do you have any resources (i.e. study tips, useful websites) to share with students who want to take the course?

Not in particular — I didn’t find anything outside of class resources that was really helpful; so if you just study the material provided really well, you’re gonna do great!

JS002 is an awesome class, and I’m so psyched you guys are able to take it!! Have fun!

Kabir Gupta is a peer tutor for Foundations in Science: Energy and Matter and can be found on the Writing and Tutoring Center.

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