Mr. Wall teaches Physical Science and Physics at Andover High School. Click on your class below to go to the class you're taking with Mr. Wall.
The study of physics offers students a different way to view the world in which they live. By learning and applying the laws of motion and other physical laws, students can explain the behavior of matter and energy and reliably predict the outcome of manipulating variables influencing a physical system. Students work in teams during computer interfacing laboratories using standard physics models and equipment (ramps, pendulums, etc.) to both discover and confirm theoretical concepts learned during class instruction related to forces and motion, light and electromagnetic energy, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, and sound. For example, after orchestrating various collisions between lab bench carts of different masses and velocities, students collect and graph the motion data in search of patterns and trends consistent with the physics laws discussed during classes. Students are expected to employ the tools and language of mathematics when resolving and communicating solutions to physics problems. Increasing student capacity to critically analyze and relate phenomena of the physical world in terms of the fundamental laws of physics is the underlying objective of this course. Offered at honors and college prep 1 levels.
Physical science introduces students to many of the fundamental concepts of physics and some chemistry through a lab-based, in-depth exploration of everyday phenomena in the world around us. Students work in cooperative groups while conducting a variety of experiments and activities to discover and reinforce the critical relationships and concepts necessary to more fully understand the physical world they live in. For example, while studying motion, students experiment with ramps and photo gates to collect, graph, and analyze motion data. This analysis positions students to think about the relationship being graphed and communicate this thinking using the language of science and math. Similar instructional methods that integrate the use of technology and cooperative problems solving are used while studying forces and motions, work and machines, and electricity to name few. All students are expected to be able to present their findings. Offered at honors and college prep levels.
Mr. Wall began teaching in 2000 at an academic summer camp at UMass Lowell. Before teaching at Andover High School, he taught at a small private junior high school in Nashua and then made the transition to high school science at Dracut High School. He started teaching at Andover High School in 2008.
Mr. Wall has taught a wide variety of science courses and even has experience teaching American history and photography. Since being at Andover High School, he’s taught mostly physical science and physics. He has also taught some professional development courses to help other teachers design their own websites and improve their skills at involving parents with school. Mr. Wall received both his bachelor of science in biology and his master’s degree in education from UMass Lowell. Currently, Mr. Wall holds professional teaching certifications for biology and physics.
Outside of the classroom, Mr. Wall is an instructor at the Methuen Karate Association and is a pilot mentor for those learning to fly model airplanes. When not teaching others, Mr. Wall enjoys spending time with his wonderful wife and three outstanding children.
Michael Wall, M.Ed.
Science Department
Andover High School
80 Shawsheen Rd.
Andover, MA 01810
Email: michael.wall@andoverma.us
Phone: (978) 247-5625