What is Physics? by Sadie

What is Physics? by Sadie - November 2021 Scholarship Essay

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Perhaps you have heard this famous quote delivered by Nelson Mandela. There is great truth behind these words. Our school systems in the United States hold on to Mandela's thoughts about education. Throughout the country, millions of schools are teaching the youth to be the leaders of the future. They focus on math, English, science, and history. All of these no doubt are of great importance. The two main subjects of math and English hold the most emphasis on school systems, preparing students for a career in which these subjects will be prominent. However, there is one class that holds just as much, if not more, importance. Physics. This underrecognized class deserves more emphasis because it enhances logical thinking, math skills, and prepares the brightest student for a good career.
As a student with a 3.97 GPA and a history of AP classes, I decided physics might be a good science and math class to take to advance my future. I have never been in a class that challenges me as much as physics. Yet I have also never taken a class that has prepared my brain for logical thinking and reasoning. My teacher emphasizes this kind of thinking. There are many units in physics that depend on logical thinking to figure out the answers. Students today need to learn how to solve problems and come to solutions by reasoning. If the youth had more classes available such as physics, our generation would be filled with problem solvers and solutions for our growing problems in the world.
Physics is no doubt a lot of math and science. Math and science are subjects that hold a lot of prominence in the school systems. Did you know that calculus was created just to define physics? I have often found parallels between those two classes. Because the classes complement each other I have found that my grade for both classes has been improving because of the extra practice. The students learn that the math they learn in class actually applies in real-life situations. If math is important and was made to define physics, isn’t physics just as important?
Another point, the adolescents who take these classes in high school have a strong desire to have a career in engineering or in health. This class is preparing students like myself to have the qualifications it takes to have a good career, one that could change the world. Many bright minds have taken courses like physics to enhance their knowledge and carry it to their careers. With physics being more emphasized, more students would learn the importance of the class and would want to take it as well.
Prior to this year, I had never heard of the physics class available at my high school. It has been tucked away in the back of my school, hardly recognized by the students or administrators. Now I can see the importance of this class. I can see how detrimental it is to the future of this country. Education taught in this class is one that can shape the youth into using it as a powerful weapon.