Physics Through Thought Experiments
Physics for Talented Middle School Students in Princeton
Middle school physics is often given as a show. Blow this up, spin that, watch this explode. Exciting in the moment. For some kids, it's not enough. They want to know why.
This program is for kids with a talent to wonder, and stay engaged with the power of their mind. Just as talented athletes need a different kind of training, so do talented thinkers.
A Program Tailored for Talented Middle School Students
A thought experiment is a question: What would happen if...? You reason through a physical situation in your mind. Debate with classmates. Discover where your intuition breaks. Find out why. Develop new intuition.
Imagine you're in a train with no windows. Can you tell if you're moving? How? What if the train accelerates? What do you feel?
This is how Einstein did physics. In Princeton. With pen, paper, and imagination.
Topics: Mechanics from the ground up — motion, speed, frames of reference, acceleration, free fall, forces, Newton's laws, work, energy, conservation, equilibrium, moments, center of mass.
Theory through discussion. Thought experiments and problems to solve. The ability to set up a problem before you have complex formulas. Expands your horizons for even more entertaining physics fights at the Princeton Research Club. Builds readiness for high school physics and the Deep Physics pathway.
Pathway to Physics Research
| Level | Program | For |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | Physics Through Thought Experiments | Middle School |
| Everyday Physics + GenAI | Physics Fights at Princeton Research Club | Middle School |
| Core Theory + Practice | Deep Physics: Core Theory and Practice | High School |
| Advanced Problem Solving | Deep Physics: Weekly Sessions | High School |
| Research | Physics Tournament Lab | Middle & High School |
Format & Schedule
10-Week Spring Module: Weekly sessions starting March 4th (holidays skipped). Location: Central Princeton.
- Princeton: Wednesdays, 6:00–7:30 PM PM at Tiger Labs or nearby location.300 Witherspoon St Suite 201, Princeton, NJ 08542
Group size: Up to 12 students per class
Note: We also offer a Spring Physics Camp with the same content in an intensive week-long format. Perfect for spring break.
Enrollment
Prerequisites: Basic algebra (equations, ratios, proportions). No prior physics. Curious and ready to think hard.
Full refund if canceled 1+ week before start. No refund less than 1 week before. Full refund if we cancel or minimum group size is not formed.