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Sivertson has a passion for teaching physics In the Classroom By DAWN SLADE He has passion - a passion for physics and a passion for teaching physics to others. Itís that passion that has students clamoring to be in Erik Sivertsonís class. In particular his physics class, which is an elective. Want to learn about projectile motion, circular motion, velocity or Newtonís laws in a hands-on manner? Then, Sivertsonís classroom is the place to be. Using analogies to help students grasp the concepts, Sivertson is able to get to the studentsí levels and put it in a perspective theyíll better understand. As he prepares the students for an upcoming exam, he says, "Imagine a giant washing machine with people in it spinning around. "What would happen if suddenly the sides fell out? Would that be a normal force or a perpendicular force?" Or heíll ask the kids to envision themselves standing in the middle of a giant record player, spinning around and around. But what if you were on the edge of the record, he asks. The students respond by saying you would fly off. The hypothesis helps them better understand friction. To help them remember what torque is all about, he asks would it be easier or harder to open a door if the handle was in the middle of the door rather than the outer edge. And heíll demonstrate Newtonís Laws in a way that will keep the kids talking for weeks. Each year, students are witness to Sivertson lying on a bed of nails. A co-worker then places another bed of nails on top of him. Finally, a cement block is placed on top of Sivertson and the teacher uses a sledgehammer to break the block. With the demonstration over, Sivertson walks away unscathed, while the students walk away with much more. Not only do they learn about the law of inertia, they learn itís cool to be interested in science. A little history... Part Lebanese and part Scandinavian, Sivertson grew up on a hobby farm in Litchfield, Minn. with his younger brother and sister. His mother still lives on the familyís farm. Sivertsonís love of physics started when he was a young boy reading books about science and astronomy. "I would follow my mom around asking, ëBut, why. Mommy?í" Sivertson said. He remembers his mother getting frustrated with his constant curiosity until she finally said to his father, "You be with him for a day." Of course, Sivertson pestered his father the same way, "But, why, Daddy?" Sivertson also recalled his desire to find a cure for cancer. When Sivertson was in second grade, his father died of the disease. "I always wanted to know how things worked. Thatís all physics really is - is trying to find the way things work," Sivertson said. He graduated from Litchfield High in 1992 and then went on to Macalaster College in St. Paul. Sivertson graduated with a degree in physics in 1996. Working for a tutoring company for nearly two years during college helped Sivertson decide to become a teacher. Currently in his fourth year at Milaca High School, Sivertson teaches four sections of ninth grade pre-physics and two elective physics classes for juniors and seniors. And itís his passion for physics and teaching it to others that enables Sivertson to keep the studentsí attention - along with his sense of humor. His entire body is bursting with energy when he talks about things like net force and equilibrium. But Sivertson also speaks the studentsí language. "You have to be at the kidsí level to get the point across," he says. Apparently, he has to get to this reporterís level as well by explaining the "old" adage, "If it moves - itís biology, if it stinks - itís chemistry, if it doesnít work - itís physics." Free time Physics, of course, isnít his entire life. Sivertson enjoys riding bike, cooking and traveling. He went backpacking for a month in Alaska. "It was awesome," Sivertson said of his journey, including the ferry ride where he slept on the deck. This past summer, he drove to the University of Oregon for a two-week workshop. Sivertson took what he learned and brought it back to the classroom, where he spent a month getting computer equipment up and running. For his efforts, he and the students have been able to utilize the computers in the lab to better understand physics. "Iím really lucky here with all the equipment we have," Sivertson said of his classroom. As for his taste in food, he enjoys making hot and sour soup and anything Middle Eastern. Books and entertainment cover a wide range as well. Sivertsonís favorite books are "Hyperspace" by Japanese physicist Michio Kaku and "Galapagos" by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. As for his favorite television show, even his students will tell you, itís "The Simpsons." Sivertson said his favorite movie, currently, is "The Lord of the Rings." But his all-time favorite is "Monte Python and the Holy Grail." And his diverse tastes, non-fiction to comedy to science fiction, reflect his teaching style - which seems to work so well. When asked how Sivertson thought other teachers would describe him, he hesitated, then responded with a smile, "A bit off, maybe." But ask the kids what they think and theyíll tell you, "Heís cool." Senior Jessi Krueger said she took the class for a few reasons, "Help for college. But I really like Mr. S. I had him in ninth grade and I liked the way he taught. "I like his use of humor and his enthusiasm. He pushes students to teach other students and help them learn from one another." Senior Eric Bergstrom said of Sivertson, "Heís a cool guy." "He likes to throw a lot of humor in there," senior Jordan Gilbert added. But Sivertson says itís a tough class. "I always answer their questions with another question to get students to get to the answer on their own. "Thereís nothing better than seeing... itís almost a snap in their brain," he said of students finally comprehending a subject. Students have told Sivertson, "I canít believe you get paid for this." But that tells just how much enthusiasm he has teaching and how much fun students have learning. "Itís always new. Every year is different," Sivertson said of teaching. "Iíd get bored with a job that was the same every day."
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