Science Circles
Overview
Science Circles is an enrichment program where students develop their curiosity about the world and the scientific way of thought needed to understand the natural phenomena of the physical world.

Our approach is to seamlessly integrate math and science, using mathematics as a tool for doing science.
About this program
Students in Science Circles will engage with fun scientific experiments and projects using data collection sensors, computer simulations, video cameras, and smartphone applications. Learning physics with new technologies and a hands-on approach is a transformative experience that extends beyond the classroom, turning smartphones and tablets into pocket physics labs to conduct experiments anytime, anywhere.
By understanding the connection between everyday life and physics, students can become young scientists, deepening their understanding and enjoying the process of doing physics.
A group of people sitting around a table
"Science is the belief in the ignorance of experts." - Richard Feynman
Richard Feynman was one of the most inspirational and well-known scientists of the 20th century. In 1965, he shared a Physics Nobel Prize for his discoveries of quantum electrodynamics. He was well-known for his unbounded curiosity, a great sense of humour, and enduring passion for arts and music. In 1986, he was able to figure out the cause of the Challenger disaster. Feynman once said, “The first of science is that you must no – and you are the easiestto fool.” It is a common belief that scientists are the people who know all the answers. However, in reality scientists are the people who keep asking questions, making mistakes, and trying again. These are the people, who enjoy figuring things out while trying not to fool themselves. Science is driven by humans’ curiosity about the world, their courage to ask questions and not to be afraid of making mistakes, and their perseverance in finding the answers. Sharing this human adventure will give students the opportunity to discover the physical laws that govern motion and interactions of objects big and small, close and far away, heavy and light.
Location
Join our Science Circles classes at UBC Vancouver location or enjoy the convenience of online learning. Experience science excellence in person or from home—your choice!
Levels taught
Newton, Feynman I, Feynman II
Day of the week
Sunday
Goals for student learning
  • Learn physics with new technologies and hands-on approaches not only in class also at home.
  • Turn smartphones/tablets into a pocket physics labs and conduct science experiments anytime and anywhere.
  • Remain curious about the world we live in; ask “How?”, “What if?” and “Why?” and know how to pursue the answers.
  • Become a young scientist by understanding the connection between everyday life and physics.
  • Understand and enjoy doing physics.
  • Learn to collaborate through project group work.
What you'll learn in each level?

Netwon

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This course provides an overview of classical physics, including experimentation, measurement, mechanics, forces and dynamics, astrophysics/astronomy, and gravitational force.

Mechanics topics include 1D motion, displacement, velocity, acceleration, and motion graphs. Forces and dynamics are covered in depth, including Newton's laws of motion, momentum, friction, free fall, springs, and pressure. The course also examines gravitational force, gravity on different planets, space travel, satellites, and Newton's law of gravitation. The basic principles of science are covered, including scientific investigation, data collection, SI units, measurement techniques, and a history of influential physicists.

Feynman I

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Feynman I continues with classical physics topics and lays the foundation needed for study of quantum physics. It covers the core concepts of energy, work, and power, covering various forms, the principles of conservation, kinetic and potential energies, and thermal energy, including temperature, conduction, convection, radiation, and measures to minimize energy loss. The course explores various energy resources, their renewability, and conservation methods. It further explores the concepts of power, mechanical advantage through springs and Hooke's Law, and the detailed study of motion via experimental and simulation tools. Additionally, it covers electromagnetic waves, light's nature, sound phenomena, and fundamental astrophysics, offering a holistic view of physics' role in understanding and interacting with the world.

Feynman II

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Feynman II delves deeper into the nuances of light and quantum physics, offering a rich exploration of optical phenomena such as refraction, total internal reflection, Snell’s Law, and the principles of geometric optics, including the behavior of concave and convex mirrors and lenses, as well as the use of prisms. It advances into the realm of quantum physics, discussing the duality of waves and particles, the pioneering double slit experiment, and electron behavior, thereby challenging classical notions of physics. The curriculum emphasizes the importance of research methods, encouraging the creation of simulations and practical problem-solving.

Moreover, Feynman II provides students with the autonomy to explore topics of personal interest, ranging from density and buoyancy to momentum, gravity, and gravitational forces. The module also covers foundational physics topics such as static electricity, electrical circuits, detailed studies of motion, forces and moments, momentum and collisions, and fluid mechanics, including pressure dynamics in liquids and gases and the operation of hydraulic systems. This comprehensive course not only deepens understanding of physical laws but also hones investigative and analytical skills, preparing students for further scientific endeavors.

Program details
Program duration
September - March
Class details
10 classes (Online classes are 1 hour 45 minutes. In-Person classes are 2 hours)
Eligibility
  • Newton is open to new students who are in Grades 6 to 11
  • Feynman I is open to new students who are in Grades 7 to 11.
  • Feynman II is open to students who graduated from Part 1.
Technologies Required
All students will need to have a laptop and cell phone/tablet to run the simulations and applications we'll be working with in our classes.
Materials
For online classes, experiment materials are sent to students’ homes so that they can do the fun science experiments themselves at home, with the guidance of their teacher. Students will be amazed at how fun doing science at home can be. For in-person classes, experiment materials will be made available in class.
Homework details
2-3 hours of homework in-between classes
Locations available
In-person & online
Pathway to brighter futures

Unlock your child's potential today

Hear what parents, students, and teachers have to say about Math Circles.
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Hannah Hwang
Parent
"When I was in the high school what I did most in math classes was memorize formulas and do lots of calculations. I was blessed to find the Math Circles program. I loved the way of approaching the concepts, and I learned a lot from the materials along with my daughter. Thanks so much for providing such a wonderful program to our kids."
Gordon Hamilton
Math Educator
"Let us not equate mathematics and arithmetic; let us not equate applying algorithms and thinking. Math Circles explores mathematics that is worthy of the human intellect. It's not trying to make math easy, but celebrates the challenge of struggling with a tough problem."
Robert Huang
Graduate
"After graduating, I went to University of Waterloo and am studying Statistics. I think Math Circles helped me a lot, especially with regards to tackling a problem from multiple perspectives, which was a skill that I use a lot in both my academic work and professional work."
Simon Kim
Parent
"Once again, Andrew had a wonderful year with Math Potentials. Thank you very much for all your hard work! Andrew has gone from being very intimidated by math to feeling quite confident(sometimes boastful ha ha) and comfortable with it. He got all As last report card, and was recommended to Grade 9 Math because he had finished Grade 8 by December, so in Grade 9, he will be taking Gr10 Math."