Dr. Caroline Cox

Biography:

Dr. Cox grew up in Arlington and graduated from H.B. Woodlawn Secondary school. She studied theater at Boston University for a year, and then wound up in California and graduated from UCLA with a BS in Astrophysics. She received her MS and PhD in Astronomy from the University of Michigan, followed by research and teaching at the University of Virginia for a few years. She has been at GWCS since 2000.

Dr. Cox’s interests and hobbies include science fiction, new urbanism, water aerobics, Girl Scouts, and vegetarian cooking.

Courses Taught:

Honors Physics (not offered Fall 2011):

In this narrow and deep course, students will put themselves in Newton's place and, through problem-solving, come to understand motion and forces. Students will never again ride a roller coaster without thinking of Newton's Laws and conservation of energy! The students will also take on the challenge of designing and building a cardboard boat to enter in the Lake Accotink Cardboard Boat Race, held the weekend after Memorial Day. Pre-requisite: Algebra II with Trigonometry.

Physics is the basis of all other sciences. It sets the rules. In Dr. Cox's classes, students will learn the physics concepts that rule the universe, and use them, to answer questions like:

·        Is an astronaut in space really weightless?

·        Why does the lift hill in a roller coaster have to be taller than all the other hills? 

·        Why does an ice skater's spin speed up when she draws in her arms?

·        Why doesn't the moon fall down?

·        Why can you make different notes sound with the same guitar string?

·        Why does rubbing a latex balloon on your head make your hair stand up?

·        Why do you get a rainbow when you pass white light through a prism?

Astrophysics:

In this course, students will learn about the solar system and about stars, galaxies and cosmology. You'll learn how to tell time by observing the Moon, you'll learn where the atoms that make up their bodies come from, and you'll come to understand the basis for current theories on the origin, evolution and ultimate fate of the universe. We'll go to at least one star party to look through optical telescopes of several inches diameter, and we'll also visit the National Radio Astronomy Observatory and take data with a 40 foot radio telescope.  

Prerequisites: Physics and Algebra II with Trigonometry

Environmental Science:

Biology!  Chemistry!  Physics!  Economics!  Philosophy!  Politics!  Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary subject, meaning that it draws on knowledge gained by researchers in many different fields.  It is the study of the interaction between the natural world and human civilization.  We will learn how humans fit into the rest of Earth's ecosystem.  We'll learn how to think critically about media reports on environmenetal issues, and discuss the ethical dilemmas that arise when we prioritize among the things we value.  We'll talk about what it means to be "green" and we'll learn about new "green" technologies.

Hours Available For Extra Help:

By appointment before school, during lunch or advisory.