Summer PTRA Workshop for High School Physics Teachers

1. Summer PTRA Workshop for High School Physics Teachers Teresa Burns Coastal Carolina University AAPT Spring 2003

2. Also Starring: • Louis Keiner • Jim Nelson • Richard Borst • Nina Morley-Daye • Don Franklin • Larry Badar

3. TO DEVELOP WORKSHOP LEADER'S MANUALS.These manuals are designed to serve as a resource for the workshop leader and for the practicing teachers who attend PTRA workshops. TO DO OUTREACH WORKSHOPSat local or regional sites. This is the PTRA way of spreading the excitement of teaching and learning physics. TO ESTABLISH A SYSTEM FOR THE LONG TERM CONTINUATIONof the PTRA workshops without relying on a continuing infusion of direct federal funding. Physics Teachers Resource Agents:

4. Centrally located to many rural school districts Coastal chosen as Rural Initiative Site: Co PI’s: Larry Badar, Northwestern University Jim Nelson, Seminole County School District, Florida Continuing Funding from the National Science Foundation.

5. Logistics: • Identify and contact school districts • Room and board for the participants; PTRA pays • Provide logistical support during the workshop

6. Workshop Goals: • Teach participants physics concepts in a PTRA workshop environment • Forge connections between teachers in the rural school districts • Identify potential future PTRA’s

7. Workshop Organization: • 3 sets of workshops over a 4 day period • Organized around Threads of Knowledge • Lead by PTRA’s • Remain constant at a site

8. Extensive written take home materials • Make and Take demo equipment • Professional development credits several ways: • Graduate credit through CCU, • Prof. Dev. credits through the AAPT • Through school district directly

9. Connections between participants: • Participants were encouraged to eat lunch together on campus • Organized Social evening • Snacks during breaks • Ample time to hang out and talk

10. Horry Georgetown Marion Dillon Williamsburg Florence (rural sd’s) Berkeley Charleston Darlington Orangeburg Lexington 43 participants from 11 South Carolina counties:

11. How did the participants like the workshop? - Time was well-used -  Activities were relevant and appropriate - Instructors were great - Nice materials that will be helpful in my classroom - Pace was good

12. I was surprised at what I discovered after having experienced what my students experience when working with different personalities in your group! Probably something we all should realize!

13. Our Challenges: • Three-year cycle • Only very limited number of repeaters • Two workshops during the school year • Teachers find it hard to participate • Interest low in national PTRA program

14. Our Offer! • Stipend that grows with hours in program • Room and Board • Travel Reimbursements • Classroom supplies • Calculator and Computer-based training • Follow-ups (count toward stipend) • Graduate Credit BUT • Three-year commitment with attendance during the year

15. Interested? Contact Teresa or Louis Pick up flyer and application at registration table Visit our website: http://kingfish.coastal.edu/physics/

16. Thank you for your attention!