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Dave Lapp was born in Sacramento, CA and educated at Petaluma High School, Sonoma State University (BA - Physics, Minor Math) and DePaul University (MS - Physics)
___Mr. Lapp taught Physics at Tamalpais High School from 1990 to 2021. While at Tam, he also taught Chemistry, Science in the Community, Physics in the Universe (PhUn), Business Math, Algebra, Calculus, and Weight Training and Conditioning. Outside of the classroom he worked as the Science Department Chair (1993-1996), Tam Staff Development Team (1995-1998), and Cross Country Coach (1998-2001). Before coming to Tam, he taught physics and physical science for four years at James B. Conant High School in Hoffman Estates, IL. Before teaching high school physics he taught for two years in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Sonoma State University.
___He was active in the America Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT). From 1994-1997 he served as an Editorial Board Member for one of its monthly professional journals The Physics Teacher. Additionally, he is a Fellow in the Institute of Physics and he serves as one of two American International Advisors for one of their British-based physics education journals, Physics Education. He has peer reviewed over 115 articles submitted for publication to both journals.___Mr. Lapp has published several articles on the teaching of physics. In 2002 he wrote The Physics of Music and Musical Instruments while on leave as a Fellow with the Wright Center for Innovative Science Education at Tufts University. In July 2014, he completed the 16th edition of his book, Physics: An Introduction. His classroom was also featured in the June 2007 issue of Edutopia. He has also done technical writing for PASCO Scientific and test question writing for ACT, MCAT, and the GSE. In September 2015 he was chosen as one of the 16 Bay Area Symmetra Heroes in the Classroom.
___Mr. Lapp can now be found with his wife, Kim or his grandsons, Eli and Sam He is best reached at his email address: tamphysics@sbcglobal.net.