January 27, 2017
Dear Parents/Guardians of Physics Students,
The May Six Flags Great Adventure physics field trip has been a tradition for our sophomores at Columbia High School for the last four decades, and it is with some sadness that we announce the discontinuation of this event.
The field trip has served as the culmination of the sophomore physics course, providing students with realworld physics experiences. The goal was for students to have fun while collaborating on observations and problem-solving based on the rides. Schools from all over the state have participated in the past.
Historically, a substantial majority of the sophomore class, about 400 students, participated in the field trip. Scholarships were available to partially or fully defray the cost of the trip if financial assistance was needed. Over the years, the number of students participating has declined. In 2016 less than 50% (200 of 450) attended. Causes included:
- Steadily rising cost. In 2016, the price of participation reached $76.
- Sports and AP commitments. These activities pre-empted participation for many as students cannot participate in the trip if they have an AP exam, and students did not return on time to make a practice or game.
- Increased health concerns and fear of the increasingly extreme rides, including the incidence of several concussions suffered by students.
Along with declining attendance, there has been a marked decline in the number of students making measurements at the park or completing the assignment in a way that we believe merits continued participation given that the guidelines for school trips is that they connect to our curriculum.
Our physics teachers have done much work over the past several years rewriting curriculum and learning activities to align with the Next Generation science standards, and we will surely consider trips that support that learning going forward.
Thank you,
Jameel Misbahuddin 9-12 STEM Supervisor
Columbia High School
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