Transcript Twin Valley School District

Twin Valley High School
Picture of TVHS
Elverson, Pennsylvania
Physics First “Grassroots Initiative”
Patsy Meyers
(Science Department Chair)
“Frustrated Biology Teacher”
Became aware of Physics
First movement through work
of Dr. Lederman.
Lobbied successfully for
science sequence reform
initiative at Twin Valley.
Driven to do ... “what is best
for the kids.”
Picture of Patsy
Twin Valley’s Entry Into Physics First
2001-2002
• How to bring Physics
First to the High School?
Teaching E&S Science in
both 8th and 9th grades.
• How to teach physics to
freshmen?
School visitations – NJ &
Clayton HS, MO
• Find a third member for
Cathy Harne
“Team Physics.”
Modeling Physics - Arizona State University
Training in: Modeling Methodology, Equipment Usage, Team building
“Team Physics” Profiles
Cathy Harne
• Grove City College – BS Ed. Physics
• 1st full year of teaching
Matt Watson
• Univ. of Rochester – BS Ed. Physics
• 9 years St. Thomas Aquinas HS in Ft. L., FL
• Team leader
Doug Mountz
• West Chester Univ. – BS Ed. Comp. Science
• Post graduate work at Immaculata University
• 30 years at Twin Valley, MS and HS science
What is Modeling?
Constructivist Approach to Teaching Freshman Physics
Begin with Idea – Pre lab
• What can you see?
• What can you measure?
• What can you change?
Give It a Name
• velocity, acceleration, etc.
Multiple Representations, i.e.
• x-t, v-t, a-t graphs
• motion maps
• an equation
• motion detector
Application
• lab practicum
Whiteboarding
“... is a teacher directed process designed to probe a student’s prior
understanding, and to construct strategies to bring the student to a more
complete comprehension.” – Don Yost (Contributor to Modeling LISTSERV)
Contains just information to
demonstrate understanding.
Motion Map
•
•
•
x
Sketch of Graph
x
b
m = Δx / Δt
t
Mathematical Model
x = mt + b
How Can You Know
What Students Understand?
Socratic Dialogue
“How do you know?”
“Did you mean ...?”
“Why did you answer
that way?”
“How do your results
compare to the first
group?”
Physics for All Freshmen?
Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Mountz!
Modeling Physics
Conceptually
• “Wow” Factor in
equipment
• Laboratory (shop)
atmosphere
• Process oriented
• HS freshmen are
social learners
Course of Study for Freshman Physics
2002-2003
Tools of Physics
Measuring, estimating, unit conversions using
dimensional analysis, curve recognition,
graphing data sets, linearization
Modeling CASTLE (Capacitor Aided System for
Teaching and Learning Electricity)
Modeling Physics
Kinematics and Dynamics
Freshman Physics Concept Assessment
2002-2003
Support from Twin Valley School District
School Board
• Renovated science
classrooms
• Complete financial
commitment to
equipping rooms
• Committed to
training three
teachers in modeling
at ASU
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•
•
•
Administration
Encouraged school
visitations
Common planning for
physics teachers.
Good class size
Learning Support
commitment
Work in Progress
2003-2004
• Resequence the
course of study.
• Develop pre- and
post- assessments
appropriate for
freshmen in both
Mechanics and
CASTLE.
• Develop a better
and consistent
whiteboard
assessment.
• Adjust pacing to
better maximize
class time through
the school year.
• Add electrostatics
to end of year prior
to chemistry in tenth
grade.