This is a letter of thanks to the many local folks who have volunteered time, knowledge, and resources to help support our High School Applied Physics program this year.
In response to a plea for used tools and materials I would like to thank George Eberly, Bob Eagan and Zackaraya Leck. George gave us many hand tools, electrical tools as well as hardware this fall, Bob gave us a model steam engine, and Zack generously donated time and materials to create anvils from railroad track as well as building a custom anvil–vice. These tools will be used in our forging unit.
Zack has also offered a class visit to his shop. Pete Welty gave the class a tour of his exhibits in his yard and told us about some of his work and experience as a metalworker.
There were others that anonymously dropped off various useful tools to the front office as well. Thanks as well.
Sadie Bailey came in and spent time as a guest instructor for students as well as myself to help us with our glass cutting and fusing projects. Zach O’Brien and Dan Christopherson of Wildlife Cycles have been strong supporters of our new Bike Mechanix class. They have been guest speakers, let us borrow tools, and have offered discounts on tools and parts.
We have been very fortunate to have Michael Riordan come to our Advanced Placement Physics, Conceptual Physics as well as our Material Science classes to lecture on atomic structure, graphene, and topics such as material hardness.
How many students get to have a doctorate in physics from MIT who were part of a Nobel Prize winning team that discovered the Quark, come into their class and give a lecture the strength of atomic bonds in everyday materials?
Tony Howe has always opened his studio and shop to my classes, Andrew Moore of Navigator Stove Works has answered many of my rudimentary questions on casting and digitally controlled machining, as well as being open to class visits.
Special thanks goes to Orcas Island Education Foundation and Janet Brownell for finding funding for this class and many other classes at our school. Things would look very different at school without OIEF. We are fortunate to have a community that is so supportive of our young people.
Brett McFarland
Applied Physics Instructor
