DEAN HOWARTH - SCIENCE & ENGLISH TEACHER

From the desk of Mr. dean Howarth:

I have amassed 36 years of classroom teaching experience in both public and private schools in Northern Virginia and Washington DC. I have taught the spectrum of advanced, general, and rudimentary levels of physics and astronomy for 10th through 12th graders. For 31 years, I taught at McLean HS and I continued my teaching at St John’s College HS (from 2018 to 2024). At these schools, I channeled my heroes in the history of science, like Galileo, Carl Sagan, and Einstein… thinkers who defied convention and trailblazed humanity’s understanding of the Universe, and in doing so made sure that my students and I have enjoyed our educational journey together.  School is much more than grades, GPA’s, buzzwords, and boxes to check, and every day I teach I try to impart imagination, creativity, and independence to my fellow “enlightened” learners.

As a proud dilettante, my broad personal interests have led me to embrace an appreciation of all knowledge. Learning is both an art and science, so would rather take students to a museum than sit behind a text book, dress up like Einstein to go explain the magic of Relativity, recreate the experiments of Galileo & Newton instead of just memorizing their equations.  I love the human drama behind the seemingly esoteric façade of science and show students that they, like Madam Curie, Ben Franklin, or Bill Nye, may pursue discoveries for the sake of wonder…not just a test score.  

COURSES TAUGHT

Physics

Physics is intended to be a broad-based, conceptually oriented study of the fundamental principles of the most far-reaching and integral science – physics. As this science lies at the foundation of all other sciences, this course will strive to be the framework through which you, the student, will establish a more complete cognitive foundation and holistic understanding of the scientific laws and relationships that govern our world.

The course covers topics in the following areas: Measurement, Astronomy and Planetary Motion, Classical Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Waves and Sound, Light and Optics, Special and General Relativity, Nuclear Science, and Modern Physics.

Honors Physics

Physics is intended to be a broad-based, conceptually and mathematically oriented study of the fundamental principles of the most far-reaching and integral science – physics. The language of science is mathematical, so the Physics HN course will require a good understanding of arithmetic, scientific notation, geometry, algebra, and a touch of trigonometry. Physics lies at the foundation of all other sciences and this course will strive to be a framework to establish a more complete and holistic understanding of the physical laws that govern our world

The course covers topics in the following areas: Measurement, Astronomy and Planetary Motion, Classical Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Waves and Sound, Light and Optics, Special and General Relativity, Nuclear Science, and Modern Physics.

History in Science

Revolutionary Ideas and Groundbreaking Discoveries- A History of Science Through Great Discoveries and the Scientist Who Made Them.  This course is a survey of the history of scientific achievement as seen through the lens of the scientists whose bold ideas led to watershed moments in history, from the laboratory to the wider world, crafted by science, that we know today. Emphasis will be placed on the “eureka moments” and the famous and historical experiments that are the foundations of our modern age.  The course bridges the gap between conventional history and science classes in that “stories of science” will be augmented with actual laboratory investigations either inspired by or recreations of experiments that are the cornerstones of the Scientific Method and the basis for every science from Astronomy to Zoology.

Science in Literature

This course offers an interdisciplinary exploration into the influence of the sciences in the world of literature. Science has changed the course of human events and, to this day, resonates through all segments of society. In this course we will use literary exemplars that rely on science to convey their stories about human beings, the world, and our collective experiences.  Pure literature, classic works of science fiction, innovative short stories, influential theatrical works, and screenplays, will be reflected upon with a unique emphasis on the real science presented in these notable works.

CONTACT

Email: howarthd@gwcommunityschool.com
Phone: 703.978.7208