2025 Summer Camps

Note: Half-day camps can be combined as full-day camps from 8:30am-5pm.

• Week 6 (08/11-08/15)

  FutureLink: Physics & F=MA Competition Camp

  08/11 to 08/15  5 half day Monday-Friday 1:00pm-4:00pm $375/camp Location: 16100 NW Cornell Road Suite 210 Room 3

  Course Description

  Physics & F=MA Competition Camp 🔬

  Are you ready to dive deep into the world of physics and prepare for the F=MA exam, the first step toward the USA Physics Olympiad (USAPhO)? Our Physics & F=MA Camp is designed for middle and high school students eager to strengthen their problem-solving skills and master the fundamental concepts of mechanics.

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  What You’ll Learn:

  ✅ Classical mechanics fundamentals (Newton’s laws, kinematics, momentum, energy, and rotational motion)
  ✅ Problem-solving techniques tailored for the F=MA exam
  ✅ Hands-on experiments & physics simulations
  ✅ Strategies for tackling complex physics problems efficiently
  ✅ Practice exams & mock tests with detailed solutions

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  Why Join?

  🚀 Gain a strong foundation in mechanics, essential for physics competitions
  📈 Improve critical thinking & problem-solving skills
  🏆 Prepare to compete in the F=MA exam & beyond
  👩‍🏫 Learn from experienced instructors & physics mentors

  Whether you’re new to competition physics or aiming for a top score, this camp will give you the tools and confidence to succeed. Join us and take your physics skills to the next level! 

  Instructor: Christopher Dupuis;  Sasi Manipatruni
  
  

2025 Summer Classes

• Stem Physics

  07/08 to 08/14  12 Classes Tuesday,Thursday 9:00am-10:25am $465/term Location: Online12

  Course Description

  Course Objective: This is the stem Physics class for rising high school students who want to learn stem Physics ahead. We will finish the first 3 units in the book. Students who finish this course will be prepared to take the stem Physics class with ease in their high school.

  The course content will focus on Introduction to Vectors, Equilibrium/Linear Motion, Newton's Laws of Motion, Momentum and Energy, Circular Motion, and Universal Gravity.

  The class is based on an interactive lecture, supplemented with simulations, and problem solving.

  Prerequisite: Algebra 1 or AGS 1

  Text Books: (Free rental from Sunshine library)

  

  The PDF file of the textbook will be loaded to the class page before the term starts.

  Instructor: Christopher Dupuis
  
  

• Honor/AP Physics 1

  07/08 to 08/14  12 Classes Tuesday,Thursday 10:35am-12:00pm $465/term Location: Online12

  Course Description

  This is a new class to teach AP Physics 1 Mechanics in Winter/Spring term. Ap Physics 1 Mechanics is a good fundation before AP Physics C. Students usaully feel hard to take the AP Physics C class at School since they don't have chance to learn AP Physcis 1. Students who finish AP Physics 1 Mechanics will be very well prepared to start AP Physics C in Summer or next school year.

  Prerequisite: Algebra I/Basic Trigonometry or Algebra II 

  This class is designed to support 8-10th graders to learn to advance or support their school learning by making up gaps. It seeks to broaden students' horizons on a wide range of physics topics. Physics relies heavily on theories and experimentations that are highly quantitative to support conclusions.

  Accordingly, foundational knowledge of algebra is required to succeed in this course. For example, students will be required to find the slope and area under graphs. In addition to that, students should have a good handle on basic trigonometrical functions. In this course, students will learn about Mechanics, States of Matter, Waves and light, Electricity and magnetism and Modern physics.  Furthermore, students will be expected to construct and judge the validity of a logical argument, demonstrate effective oral and listening skills, use technology in a responsible manner.

  Textbook:
  Physics: Principles with Applications by Giancoli (AP Physics 1+2, Algebra based)

   

  Note: The PDF file of the textbook will be loaded to the class page before the term starts.

   

  Instructor: Christopher Dupuis
  
  

• AP Physics C and F=MA

  07/08 to 08/14  12 Classes Tuesday,Thursday 4:30pm-6:00pm $465/term Location: Online15

  Course Description

  This is a fast paced refresher for F=ma.  

  Prerequisite: 
  1. Algebra-1 and 2 
  2. Basic understanding of graph based techniques for solving area under curve
  3. F=ma, formally does not require calculus so advanced algebra is technically all you need. 

  Textbooks:
  1. Customized teaching material in class
  2. 5th edition of Halliday, Resnick, and Krane’s Physics Volume 1
  3. Morin’s Problems and Solutions in Introductory Mechanics
  4. Past years of F=MA exams

  Note: The PDF file of the textbook will be loaded to the class page before the term starts.

  Reference Information:

  Game plan: There is only one way to do physics which is the fun way. Yet, this is a very short course so I will cover the core concepts and a few simple ways to boost your score and get close to cut-off (about 17). F=ma is an easy exam but it focuses on really learning the material (over a long period and mastering the concepts) and having a ‘cool’ attitude to problem solving. Problems are made to avoid deep use of calculations and calculus. The next level is USAPHO directly and you need to score about only 30%  problems there to get the coveted medal level.

  Instructor: Sunil Thapa
  
  

2025 Winter/Spring Classes

• Stem Physics B for Grade 7-9

  01/17 to 06/13  20 Classes Friday 4:30pm-6:00pm $915/term No classes on Mar. 21 and 28Location: Online8

  Course Description

  Course Objective: This is a one year course for students who want to learn more advanced science and prepare for high school AP physics. The curriculum is corresponding to the first-year high school STEM physics. It's a great class for students who have learned advanced math therefore use math to solve complex and interesting real-world problems.

  (1) To build a solid conceptual understanding of physics.
  (2) To apply math skills to solve Physics problems.
  (3) To prepare students for AP/IB Physics classes in High School.

  Prerequisite: Algebra 1

  Stem Physics B will continue from Stem Physics A. It will cover Units 2-6 in about 20 weeks.

  Textbook: Conceptual Physics
  Unit 1: Mechanics
  Chapter 2-3: Equilibrium and Linear Motion
  Chapter 4-6: Newton's Laws of Motion
  Chapter 7-9: Momentum and Energy
  Chapter 10-14: Gravity, Projectiles, and Satellites
  Chapter 15-16: Special Relativity

  Unit 2: Properties of Matter
  Chapter 17: Atomic Nature of Matter
  Chapter 18-20: Solids, Liquids, Gas

  Unit 3: Heat
  Chapter 21-23: Heat Transfer
  Chapter 24: Thermodynamics

  Unit 4: Sound and Light

  Chapter 25-27: Waves, Sound, Light
  Chapter 28-31: Color, Reflection, Lenses
  
  Unit 5: Electricity and Magnetism
  Chapter 32-35: Static and Current Electricity
  Chapter 36-37: Magnetism and Electromagnetic Induction

  Unit 6: Atomic and Nuclear Physics
  Chapter 38: The Atom and the Quantum
  Chapter 39: The Atomic Nucleus and Radioactivity
  Chapter 40: Nuclear Fission and Fusion

  We will use a few weeks for the final review and test.

  Text Books: (Free rental from Sunshine library)

  

  The PDF file of the textbook will be loaded to the class page before the term starts.

  
  
  

• AAPT Physics Competition F=MA Exam Preparation

  01/25 to 02/08  3 Classes Saturday 3:30pm-5:00pm $150/exam Location: 16100 NW Cornell Road Suite 210 Room 3

  Course Description

  This is a fast paced refresher for F=ma.  

  Prerequisite: 
  1. Algebra-1 and 2 
  2. Basic understanding of graph based techniques for solving area under curve
  3. F=ma, formally does not require calculus so advanced algebra is technically all you need. 

  Textbooks:
  1. Customized teaching material in class
  2. 5th edition of Halliday, Resnick, and Krane’s Physics Volume 1
  3. Morin’s Problems and Solutions in Introductory Mechanics
  4. Past years of F=MA exams

  Note: The PDF file of the textbook will be loaded to the class page before the term starts.

  Reference Information:

  Game plan: There is only one way to do physics which is the fun way. Yet, this is a very short course so I will cover the core concepts and a few simple ways to boost your score and get close to cut-off (about 17). F=ma is an easy exam but it focuses on really learning the material (over a long period and mastering the concepts) and having a ‘cool’ attitude to problem solving. Problems are made to avoid deep use of calculations and calculus. The next level is USAPHO directly and you need to score about only 30%  problems there to get the coveted medal level.

  Instructor: Sasi Manipatruni
  
  

• 2025 AAPT Physics Team Competition Event: F=MA exam

  02/12 to 02/12  1 Contest Wednesday 4:30pm-6:00pm $75/exam Location: 16100 NW Cornell Road Suite 210 Room 1

  Event Description

  Sunshine Elite is hosting the F=MA exam for high school students this year! Any students who have learned AP Physics may try out the F=MA exam.

  AAPT and the American Institute of Physics (AIP) sponsor a competition each year for high school students to represent the United States at the International Physics Olympiad Competition. 

  The mission of the U.S. Physics Team Program is to promote and demonstrate academic excellence through preparation for and participation in the International Physics Olympiad.

  The Pathway to International Physics Olympiad Team is:
  F=ma for any motivated high school students =>
  Top 400 students  are invited for USAPhO =>
  Top 20 students are selected to U.S. Physics Team =>
  Top 5 students are selected to represent the team at IPhO

  Below are more details for the several round of exams:

  1. The F=ma exam is a 75-minute exam with 25 multiple choice questions focusing on mechanics. Two versions of the exam are given, the F=ma A and F=ma B.
  2. Approximately 400 students will be invited to take the USA Physics Team (USAPhO) exam, based on their scores on the F=ma exam. The USAPhO is a 3-hour free response exam where students are required to justify their answers. The exam is divided into two parts of 90 minutes each.
  3. Approximately 20 students will be invited to be a part of the U.S. Physics Team, based on their USAPhO and F=ma scores, and attend a ten-day training camp at the University of Maryland. At the end of the camp, five students will be selected to represent the team at the International Physics Olympiad.
  4. Students must be either U.S. Citizens, U.S. Permanent Residents (Green Card holders), or currently attending a U.S. school, to take the F-ma exam.
  5. Students must be either U.S. Citizens, or U.S. Permanent Residents (Green Card holders) to take the USAPhO exam. Students must also be located in the U.S. to take the USAPhO exam.

  To check the F=MA exam rules, please check here: https://aapt.org/Common2022/rules.cfm 

  Instructor: Sasi Manipatruni;  Ellen Zhou