About the Founder
My name is Azadeh Samadani. I have a ph.D. in Physics and over 20 years of teaching experience. I have been a researcher at MIT, an assistant professor of Physics at Brandeis University, and a Physics teacher at an elite private high school.
I founded Physics Literacy for Kids to be a refuge for the intensely curious. We aren't here for 'plug and chug' physics. We are here to venture beyond Newtonian mechanics and explore the universe as it is. We are a family of explorers. Nothing interests me more than seeing the spark of curiosity in the eyes of children, where the world is wonders and learning is wonderful!
Physics Literacy Core Values
1) I strive to inspire a lifelong love for learning for all children.
2) I will make physics understandable and engaging for all children, regardless of their background or prior knowledge.
3) I will foster a sense of achievement by helping children grasp challenging concepts.
4) I strive to improve physics literacy worldwide, empowering young minds with knowledge that transcends borders.
My promise to you
1) Your child will be challenged.
2) Your child will stay motivated and engaged.
3) Your child will learn not only learn physics but also critical thinking skills that stay with them throughout life.
4) You are free to join at any time and at any age; there is always a class for your child. It is never too late.
5) If you are unhappy for any reason, you can write to me, and I promise to reply and address your concerns quickly. If you decide to leave the course, you will receive a refund for the remainder of the semester.
Teaching philosophy
Of all the sciences, physics is one of the easiest to teach and learn. Yet, we wait a long time, often until junior year in high school, to teach it. Once in high school, many students who were fine learning physics concepts at ages 8, 9, or 10 struggle to grasp the more mathematical side of the subject. At Physics Literacy, I aim to bridge this gap by using an intuitive approach to physics. The hope is to instill a love for the subject in young children and empower them to be critical thinkers.
As we go through life, we are constantly exposed to concepts in physics, especially while playing sports. We feel the forces, momentum, and acceleration. We throw and catch balls. We intuitively understand the motion of projectiles. In our minds, we are constantly, subconsciously conducting all kinds of physics experiments. We are constantly told by our coaches to do certain things to our bodies to improve form and posture. We adjust the angles, the forces, and the timing of our actions. Wouldn’t it be nice to understand why?
I have taught physics to graduate students, undergraduates, high school students, middle school students, and elementary school students. With over twenty years of experience as a teacher, I can tell you that little kids are as capable of understanding physics as anyone else. We just need to trust them and allow them to think, struggle, and learn.
In my career, I have taught thousands of students. I know every misconception, every road they take, and every blunder they make. I make the concepts as clear as I can to pave the way to learning, so the little ones feel comfortable dipping their toes in, and the older ones feel comfortable jumping in.
My method fosters critical thinking. I have paved the way for them by breaking down the process of thinking into smaller, manageable steps, so they can feel ownership of their learning without becoming discouraged.