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High Schooler Sets Physics World Abuzz

issac newtonA 16-year-old German high school student has written a paper that purports to have solved two mysteries that were beyond the intellect of the great Isaac Newton.

Shouryya Ray, an Indian-born student who won second prize this month in the math and informatics category for Germany's Jugend Forscht student science competition created formulas to answer the following questions that have puzzled scientists for centuries:

How do you account for air resistance in calculating the trajectory of ball thrown out at an angle?

Precisely how does a ball thrown against the wall rebound?

Because Ray's paper was a school-based project and was submitted for a contest, it is not subject to the publication process and peer review that professional work typically goes through. That has led some experts in the field to reserve jugement of the work until they've seen it for themselves.

However, everyone who has commented about Ray's paper has said it is an achievement that very few high schoolers could duplicate.

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Juneteeth, 2024

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Tips for Educators: Look Before You Leap

In my many years in education and school administration I have met a large number of unhappy educators. I used to tell our undergraduate teacher candidates at a college to do your research about the school and the position before you sign your contract. Look at all aspects of the school (culture and climate), location, reputation, salary, benefits, working conditions, teacher assignments and schedule, extracurricular expectations, etc. If at all possible I do not recommend settling for a...

Tips for Educators: Refresh Your CV and...

As you continue your educational journey as a teacher or administrator, you should update your CV and portfolio. I always recommend that you keep a folder, paper or electronic, for activities you want to remember for future reference. This is useful if you ever plan on transferring or applying for a promotion. I suggest that you add to your folder at least during the winter and summer break. Of course you can do more often but it can become a habit if you do this at least twice a year. This...

Tips for Educators - Waiting for the...

When you have applied for a new position at a different school, you have probably wondered why it has taken the school so long to notify you about the interview or their hiring decision. This can be for several reasons. Unfortunately, some schools don’t even bother to inform you they have received your application or CV. If they have received your application or CV, they have decided that you don’t fit what they are looking for. If you have not heard anything in a week to 10 days, I think...

Tips For Educators: School Culture

What to experience as you are applying for a new school.

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The first thing I would strongly suggest is to be on time to the interview. Whether it is a face to face or a zoom meeting, be on time. Arriving late is never a good first impression. Last year I interviewed close to 300 candidates and I was sadly disappointed on how many were late. Know the time, day, and location of the interview. I would even suggest driving...

Before The Interview: Tips For Educators

Improving your interviewing skills is important but here are some tips for you to prepare for that all important interview.

The first thing I would strongly suggest is to be on time to the interview. Whether it is a face to face or a zoom meeting, be on time. Arriving late is never a good first impression. Last year I interviewed close to 300 candidates and I was sadly disappointed on how many were late. Know the time, day, and location of the interview. I would even suggest driving...

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Plan B

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Most schools and school districts do not use applications anymore for employment due to the threat of lawsuits a from legal challenges on the application forms. This is especially true in the United States where I spent 38 years in school and university administration.

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