Using Newton's Laws with Inquiry-based Physics (JP001) Peer Tutor Hannah Bowman

In this article, the Board of SASS interviews Inquiry-based Physics (JP001) peer tutor Hannah Bowman. We hope that this article will help current and future Inquiry-based Physics (JP001) students in their academic journey!

What did you enjoy about Inquiry-based Physics (JP001)?

Inquiry-based Physics was a really fun course because we learned a lot of basic physics through interesting labs and videos. Physics in general is really cool because you get to learn about how the world works.

What challenged you the most in Inquiry-based Physics (JP001)? How did you overcome those challenges?

Sometimes, it is hard to grasp new concepts at first. Going to office hours and making sure to work through all the problems (and looking at the solutions) really helps.

What tips do you have that could be useful to students taking Inquiry-based Physics (JP001)?

Go to office hours. Dr. Oas is really good at helping you with concepts or problems. When there are a couple people in his office hours room, he often hosts sessions where he does example problems and final prep. During class, take notes so you can review the material easily before tests. (Also take advantage of the Final Prep modules.) Check the Canvas page because it can be a little hard to understand what is due and when things are due. Start your labs early so you have plenty of time and can enjoy them. Don’t just put in the correct answers; put in your observations. Always answer polls because they are used to measure your engagement. Have fun!

About how much time did you spend a week working on assignments and preparing for discussion sessions in Inquiry-based Physics (JP001)?

This is a really rough estimate, but I’d say three to four hours a week.

What was your favorite topic covered in Inquiry-based Physics (JP001)?

My favorite part of the course was probably learning Newton’s Laws. I had always heard about them, but, before taking this course, I never really knew what they were.

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

If you need help, don’t be afraid to take advantage of office hours and peer tutors. Thoroughly review all the content in the modules to succeed in the midterm and finals exams. Most importantly, have fun and enjoy learning!

Hannah Bowman is a peer tutor for Inquiry-based Physics and can be found on the Writing and Tutoring Center.

#InquiryBasedPhysics #JP001