Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, the freshman science class PNPS (Principles of Natural and Physical Science) was replaced with AME (Applications of Matter & Energy). This school year the PNPS teachers faced the challenge of teaching this brand new class.
Throughout the first semester, the AME teachers have faced many new challenges, which includes: learning how to teach a brand new class, and adapting to the new curriculum.
Learning how to teach this new class has been a struggle for teachers because the lessons and curriculum are still being changed and fixed as they go along.
Ashley Robinson, an AME teacher, and former PNPS teacher said, “It is set up to be more interdisciplinary and heavier on critical thinking.”
The curriculum for AME also differs from PNPS. Phillip Burthardt, a former PNPS teacher, and currently an AME teacher said, “AME goes more in depth in chemistry and physics, and is also more challenging for students.”
AME provides students with a more demanding curriculum, allowing them to apply themselves. Another challenge that students face when going into harder topics is staying motivated, and continuing to give their best effort in class.
AME teachers were also given a new online resource to support them in teaching this new class, which is something that they were not provided with when teaching PNPS. This online source helps the class to be taught similarly around the district, so all students can learn the same material.
Most of the discomfort caused by this class is because it is brand new, and it is still being fixed. Another reason this class is a challenge for teachers and students is because it is so new, and PNPS has been taught for so long, it will take some time to get used to.
Overall, the teachers and students have faced many new challenges when it comes to AME. Although this is a difficult class, and a class that not everyone is used to yet, over time the class will continue to improve. So far, the teachers have adapted to this new class, and provided students with a new opportunity to push themselves.
