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home
kamsc
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KAMSC Newsletters
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today at kamsc
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staff
administrative
Dr. Michael Tanoff
instructional
Mr. Modhi Alshehri
Mr. Mark Cardwell
Ms. Colleen Chapoton
Ms. Tia Hohler
Mr. Shannon Houtrouw
Ms. Rebecca Joyce
Ms. Laila Kalnins
Mr. Michael Milka
Ms. Jennifer Richardson
Mr. Michael Sinclair
Mrs. Claudia Witt-Thomas
support
Ms. Pat Sanders
Ms. Anne Somers
outreach
Ms. Susan Fisher
former
Ms. Cynthia Addison
Ms. Peg Becker
Mrs. Rosemary Brown
Mr. Christopher Chopp
Dr. Brenda Earhart
Mr. Paul Eckert
Dr. Michael Elzinga
Ms. Carolyn Fitz
Dr. John Goudie
Ms. Cheryl Hach
Ms. Chika Hampton
Mrs. Pat Hawley
Ms. Barbara Hunt
Ms. Karen Jackson
Ms. Danita Maynor
Ms. Birgit McCall
Mr. Cameron Nichols
Mr. Mark Peeters
Ms. Linda Reynolds
Dr. Wayne Schade
Mr. Mark Spackman
Mr. Jon Streeter
Dr. Jon Thompson
Dr. Joseph Thorstenson
Dr. Marcia Weinhold
admissions
applying to kamsc
should i apply?
outcomes
curriculum
onsite courses
mathematics
Advanced Calculus
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
AP Statistics
Applications in Mathematics
Discrete Mathematics
KAMSC Integ Math I/Geometry (Honors)
KAMSC Integ Math II/Alg II (Honors)
KAMSC Integ Math III/Precalculus (Honors)
science
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP Environmental Science
AP Physics C (Electricity & Magnetism)
AP Physics C (Mechanics)
Physics (Honors)
Astronomy (Honors)
Bio-Ethics
Biochemistry
Biology (Honors)
Biomedical Science
Chemistry (Honors)
Evolution of Scientific Thought
Geology (Honors)
Human Genetics
Microbiology
Organic Chemistry
computer-oriented
Advanced Computer Science
AP Computer Science
Computer Studies
KAMSC Information Technology
other
Current Topics in Science
Independent Research
Mentorship
Research Science
Research Team
special programs
sizzlin' summer
kamscconnection
photo gallery
calendar
news
downloads
links
alumni
college acceptances
matriculation
The KAMSC experience only starts when you witness a Starwars debate, leading to rather strong words.
Ava Feirer-Garrison (2011)
You are here ::
staff
»
former
»
Dr. Michael Elzinga
Dr. Michael Elzinga
Instructor
melzinga@kamsc.k12.mi.us
Mathematics Faculty - at KAMSC from 1997 thru 2004
Former Bio:
Dr. Elzinga earned his Ph.D. in physics from The University of Michigan . His B.S. and M.A. degrees are from Western Michigan University where he majored in physics and mathematics, also obtaining a teaching certificate in secondary education. He has been enjoying a successful career in teaching and research in several areas including optics and holography, ultrasonic imaging, electrostatic accelerators, low temperature physics, superconductivity, and computerized instrumentation. At the Eastman Kodak research labs he worked on the theory, development, and characterization of infrared detecting CCD imagers and other CCD imagers for specialized applications. He was the Accelerator Engineer in Western Michigan University's physics department during the installation and initial years of operation of their 12 MeV tandem Van de Graaff accelerator lab. He also taught physics and electronics at Kalamazoo Valley Community College.
Dr. Elzinga's interest in science and mathematics showed up fairly early, and he had an unquenchable thirst to know how everything worked. As a young boy growing up on a Michigan farm, he was constantly raiding junk piles and taking things apart for their mechanical and electrical components. He was twelve the day his first bicycle arrived in the mail. He promptly disassembled it, including the coaster brake, to see how it all worked, and then successfully reassembled it. A few months later, he used the bicycle's generator and the principle of inductive kick to electrify the bike with high voltage and stop a school yard bully from repeatedly wresting it away and riding off with it. (This got young Elzinga considerable respect from the bully, but also got him a few painful electrical jolts of his own.)
Another part of his early exposure to physics and electronics came during four years in the U.S. Navy aboard a submarine in the Pacific. The physics of navigating and surviving under water, sound propagation in the oceans, radar, sonar, oceanography, and marine biology, all helped to solidify his budding scientific interests.
Dr. Elzinga feels that one of the more satisfying aspects of his career has been his good fortune to be a teacher and mentor to many excellent students headed into science or engineering careers.
He is an active member of the American Association of Physics Teachers, The American Physical Society, The Mathematical Association of America, and the Michigan Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
He is also interested in the history and philosophy of science, is a serious amateur photographer, and enjoys playing folk music on guitar and harmonica. He met his wife, Connie, at Western Michigan University where she was a senior majoring in music. They have three children, now in their twenties.
© Kalamazoo Area Mathematics & Science Center
600 West Vine Street Suite 400, Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Phone: (269) 337-0004; Fax: (269) 337-0049