Physics Curriculum Projects

1. Physics Curriculum Projects • Modeling Method • Active Physics • Comprehensive Conceptual Curriculum for Physics (C3P) • Constructing Physics Understanding (CPU) • Mechanical Universe • Principles of Technology, etc.

2. Modeling Instruction in Physics • The Modeling Method has been developed to correct many weaknesses of the traditional lecture-demonstration method, including the fragmentation of knowledge, student passivity, and the persistence of naive beliefs about the physical world. • A project of Arizona State University • http://modeling.asu.edu/

3. Modeling Physics: Coherent Instructional Objectives • To engage students in understanding the physical world by constructing and using scientific models to describe, to explain, to predict and to control physical phenomena. • To provide students with basic conceptual tools for modeling physical objects and processes,especially mathematical, graphical and diagrammatic representations. • To familiarize students with a small set of basic models as the content core of physics.

4. MODELING INSTRUCTION • It's a WAY to teach not primarily a curriculum. • The course is centered around a small set of basic models as the core content of physics. • Students are provided with the basic conceptual tools for modeling physical objects and processes. • Armed with these modeling tools, students come to view physics not as an endless string of facts and formulas, but as a coherent process that helps them make sense of the physical world.

5. Modeling Physics: Instructional Strategy -- 1 • Instruction is organized into modeling cycles which move students through all phases of model development, evaluation and application in concrete situations -- thus promoting an integrated understanding of modeling processes and acquisition of coordinated modeling skills. • The teacher sets the stage for student activities, typically with a demonstration and class discussion to establish common understanding of a question to be asked of nature. Then, in small groups, students collaborate in planning and conducting experiments to answer or clarify the question.

6. Modeling Physics: Instructional Strategy -- 2 • Students are required to present and justify their conclusions in oral and/or written form, including a formulation of models for the phenomena in question and evaluation of the models by comparison with data. • Technical terms and concepts are introduced by the teacher only as they are needed to sharpen models, facilitate modeling activities and improve the quality of discourse.

7. Modeling Cycle • The modeling cycle has two stages, involving the two general classes of modeling activities: Model development and model deployment. • Roughly speaking, model development encompasses the exploration and invention stages of the learning cycle. • Model deployment corresponds to the deployment stage. It will be noted that the "modeling terminology" is more descriptive of what the students actually do in the cycle.

8. Active Physics - 1 • Course designed to reach non-traditional students. • NSF-funded project for 9th - 12th grades. • Uses enticing themes: • sports • medicine • home • transportation • predictions • communications • Field-tested in 51 high schools in ‘95-96.

9. Active Physics - 2 • Each module includes 3 chapter challenges. A sample of these chapter challenges include: • Home - design a prototype home that can be used in developing nations. • Sports - invent a sport for the moon. • Transportation - design and build an improved safety device for a car. • Communications - create a light and sound show for your class. • Medicine - convince your principal you can have a dance concert and nobody's hearing will be damaged.

10. Active Physics - 3 • Uses five proven techniques: • flexibly formatted • engaging scenarios • multiple exposures • constructivist approach • authentic assessment • Uses equations and graphs only to represent ideas symbolically, and provides instructions for calculators and spreadsheets. • All reading at 9th grade level. • Students solve problems hands-on and in groups to foster teamwork.

11. Comprehensive Conceptual Curriculum for Physics • C3P is a curriculum project designed to implement research from physics education into high school physics courses and is supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation. • The offices of C3P are located at Department of Physics, University of Dallas, Irving, Texas • Principal Investigator: Richard P. Olenick • http://phys.udallas.edu/frames.html

12. Comprehensive Conceptual Curriculum for Physics • C3P: "Fun Physics for Everyone". • The CD-ROM platform contains curriculum, learning cycle-based activities, lesson plans, terms, misconceptions and much more to help teachers engage students in an activity-based learning environment. Based upon PRISMS; includes the Mechanical Universe, CASTLE, etc.

13. Overview • A high school curriculum that integrates video-based, inquiry-based, and lab-oriented materials with an effective pedagogy that promotes student explorations and that is based on findings from current research in students' preconceptions. • The mission of the Project is "to produce a comprehensive conceptually based physics curriculum for all high schools, usable by all teachers, and effective with all students."

14. Constructing Physics Understanding • The CPU pedagogy allows students to construct ideas in small groups and as a class to explain physical phenomena based on carefully designed experimental activities, and small group and whole class discussions, but without a textbook or the instructor giving the ideas. • Based upon the belief that computer software and innovative pedagogical methods can support the creation of significantly more effective learning environments. • The project is based on previous work incorporating computer technology to build a constructivist-oriented learning environment.

15. Exploration activities, concept development,and application activities characteristic of the learning cycle. • PRISMS was awarded a grant in 1998 to develop more activities in interdisciplinary areas such as biophysics.

16. The Mechanical Universe • Seven “quads” • Physics on Earth and in the Heavens • Conservation Laws and Fundamental Forces • Kinematics and Scientific Methods • From Kepler to Einstein • Electricity • Magnetism and Beyond • Modern Physics • Each quad has four associated videotapes. • Linked to major textbook chapters • Comes with Teacher’s Guide

17. Course in applied science for those who plan careers as technicians. • Blends an understanding of basic principles with practice in practical applications. • Units -- Force, Work, Rate, Resistance, Energy, Power, and Force Transformers. • An equipment-intense course.

18. An interesting approach • The Physics First Initiative