Physics teacher Stan Eisenstein took a unique approach to telling people he was a contestant on the quiz show, "Jeopardy!"
The part-time musician wrote the notes for the show's theme music on a chalkboard at Centennial High School.
Next week, the 34-year-old teacher is scheduled to appear on the game show where contestants show off their knowledge of presidents, state capitals, world geography and other topics.
"I was a little nervous," said Mr. Eisenstein, who taped the show in Los Angeles in October. "I was mostly nervous the day before when I realized how much there is to learn."
Under the show's contract, Mr. Eisenstein can't reveal the game's outcome. Viewers will have to watch the show to find out if he wins.
He decided to try out for the show in January after learning that the show's producers were holding auditions in Atlantic City.
To qualify for the show, Mr. Eisenstein had to pass two tests and participate in a practice show during which he had to talk about himself, demonstrate stage presence and how well he understood the game's rules.
To prepare for the show, Mr. Eisenstein practiced "buzzing in" by pressing the pause button on his videocassette recorder at home.
But he had to rethink that strategy for the show. During a practice taping, he got the jitters.
"That was the most nerve-wracking," he said. "I couldn't figure out any answers, and I couldn't figure out how to ring in."
To answer questions, contestants must push a buzzer. If they press the device too soon, it becomes inoperable for half a second.
"There's a delicate balance," said Mr. Eisenstein, explaining that he didn't want to buzz in too soon or too late for fear opponents might ring in first.
Mr. Eisenstein also studied U.S. presidents, Shakespeare and two world maps, paying close attention to African and Southeast Asian countries.
For strategy tips, he read "Secrets of the Jeopardy! Champions," by Chuck Forrest and Mark Lowenthal.
He also had his own strategies: If classical music, the Old Testament or math popped up during the Daily Double, he planned to wager everything.
But if furniture or some other eccentric topic came up, he vowed to wager almost nothing.
"You have to have your strategies," Mr. Eisenstein said.
Appearing on the show was vastly different from watching it on television, he said.
The bank of monitors that contestants select categories from is farther away than it seems, he said. The show's set was also smaller than he expected.
And he discovered that Alex Trebek is a closet comedian.
At one point during the taping, a blackout occurred and the usually staid host jumped behind a camera and began maneuvering it.
"He was kind of goofy," Mr. Eisenstein said. "He started playing with a camera with a big boom [microphone]. He went out to the audience and started asking questions and started cracking jokes."
For the past 12 years, Mr. Eisenstein has taught at Centennial High School, where he has earned a reputation for using hands-on science experiments.
To study the properties of physics, his students ride on roller coasters and build devices such as human-powered Hovercrafts and vacuum cleaner devices that can pick up everything from a pin to a 2-pound bag of rice.
When he isn't busy teaching, Mr. Eisenstein writes music and has composed two albums that contain elements of classical, new age and jazz music.
"He's really well-rounded," said Jeannie Lee, 17, a senior in Mr. Eisenstein's advanced placement physics class.
When the show airs, viewers should have no problem spotting Mr. Eisenstein. He's the one wearing a purple shirt with a "van Goghish" tie.
"Life is an adventure," Mr. Eisenstein said. "It's about creativity. It's about exploring the world."