Mr. Burton
About Me
If you've landed on this page, you are likely a student or parent seeking to figure out who this guy that is going to be your teacher is. Well, my name is Mr. Burton. I've been teaching some combination of physics, research, and astronomy for two decades (I'm a little weirded out by typing it that way, but it's true). I'm a graduate of Auburn University with a B.S. in Physics and an M.Ed. in Science Education (Physics). I have an endorsement in Gifted Education and I am currently working on a Masters in Applied Computer Science. As you might have guessed, I like learning new things and I love teaching.
My Courses
Physics 1
MVGS Physics 1 is a calculus-based exploration of Mechanics. In this course students learn how to think like a physicist while learning the fundamental concepts of Newtonian Mechanics. Taking this course challenges students to move from being answer finders to being solution builders in the world (join my class to find out more about what that means).
Physics 2
MVGS Physics 2 is a calculus-based exploration of Classical Electricity & Magnetism. In this course we will develop the concepts that make up field theory as applied to our understanding of electromagnetism. This course will challenge students to let math lead their mental models. When concepts are hard to paint a picture of in our mind's eye, the tools we build in this class will take over.
Research 1
MVGS Research 1 is an exploration of research methodology. Student in this course will spend a great deal of time collecting data and learning how to use that data to address scientific questions. These tools will work together to help students design and carry out an Independent Research Project (the famed "IRP") as they move through their time at MVGS. Science is really just the process of generating new questions--that's what we do in Research 1.
