July 13–17, 2013
33
and reflective problems which are conceptual in nature. QuILTs are based
upon research in physics education and employ active-learning strategies
and Open Source Physics visualization tools. They attempt to bridge the
gap between the abstract quantitative formalism of quantum mechanics
and the qualitative understanding necessary to explain and predict diverse
physical phenomena. This workshop is targeted to instructors who would
like to supplement their existing course material with research-based field
tested tools. Some learning tools deal with contemporary topics such as
quantum teleportation that can be taught using simple two-level systems.
Participants are encouraged to bring their own laptops. This work is sup-
ported by the National Science Foundation.
W29: Green Labs and Activities
Sponsor: Committee on Laboratories
Co-sponsor: Committee on Science Education for the Public
Time: 8 a.m.–12 p.m. Sunday
Member Price: $65
Non-Member Price: $90
Location: SRTC 247
Joe Kozminski, Lewis University, Department of Physics, One University
Pkwy., Romeoville, IL 60446;
Labs and activities dealing with green and renewable energy, energy and
the environment, and sustainability are great for getting students interested
in and excited about science. Putting physics in this context can make it
more real and relevant for the students. This hands-on workshop will en-
gage participants in several green-themed labs and activities that are at the
level of juniors/seniors in high school or intro/gen ed college students. The
labs and activities, which will be drawn from various courses and summer
programs around the country, can be implemented at relatively low cost.
W30: Getting Started with eBooks
Sponsor: Committee on Physics in High Schools
Co-sponsor: Committee on Educational Technologies
Time: 8 a.m.–12 p.m. Sunday
Member Price: $62
Non-Member Price: $87
Location: SRTC B1-82
Danny Caballero, 1301 Over Drive, Vermillion, SD 57069; danny.caballero@
Colorado.EDU
This workshop is designed to help beginners get started creating and us-
ing eBooks. An eBook is unique because it is by its nature very portable,
editable and can be shared easily. An eBook can even “go viral” on the web
if the right readership is tapped. Another advantage of this format is that
the usual trappings of publishing aren’t an issue anymore — including
the high publication costs. eBooks can be offered free or inexpensively to
make them available to a wide audience. It is possible to use unique fonts,
colored headings, photos, embedded video and slideshows, as well as other
visual options to add design interest. We will examine a number of eBook
authoring formats for the Mac and PC including discussions about formats
for the iPad, Kindle, Nook, etc. Web-based resources and a learning guide
will be used as you get started creating a functioning eBook.
W31: Activities and Apparatus for Teaching About Climate
and Climate Change
Sponsor: Committee on Science Education for the Public
Co-sponsor: Committee on Apparatus
Time: 8 a.m.–12 p.m. Sunday
Member Price: $60
Non-Member Price: $85
Location: SRTC 155
Brian Jones, Colorado State University, Physics Department, Fort Collins, CO
80523-1875;
Paul Williams, Austin Community College
During the day, the Earth is warmed by sunlight that shines on it. This is
something that your students can see, something that they can feel. But,
over the course of a day, the surface of the Earth receives more radiant
energy from the bottoms of clouds and the lower atmosphere than it does
from the Sun. This influence of thermal radiation is critically important
for an understanding of the Earth’s climate and how it is changing. In this
program to collect data from a variety of sensor types and control external
devices such as motors and actuators. Microcontrollers can be used in a va-
riety of classroom activities and student projects. We will focus our work-
shop on using an Arduino Microcontroller to construct a mini-underwater
vehicle that will seek out to hover at a desired programmed depth. We will
also discuss how our students use Arduinos for fun, research, underwater
ROVs, and general exploration. An optional pool-test of your mini-under-
water vehicle will occur after the workshop at a nearby hotel pool. No pre-
vious microcontroller, programming, or electronics experience is required.
You need to bring your own Windows, Mac, or Linux computer.
W26: PIRA Lecture Demonstrations I
Sponsor: Committee on Apparatus
Time: 8 a.m.–12 p.m. Sunday
Member Price: $95
Non-Member Price: $120
Location: SRTC 101
Dale Stille, University of Iowa, Department of Physics, Rm 58 Van Allen Hall,
Iowa City, IA 52242;
Sam Sampere, Syracuse University,
We will introduce you to the Physics Resource Instructional Association
(PIRA) and the PIRA 200 during this 1/2-day workshop. The PIRA 200
are the 200 most important and necessary demonstrations needed to teach
a typical introductory physics course. Each demonstration has a catalog
number according to the Demonstration Classification System (DCS); we
will introduce you to the system used to classify these and the bibliography
that details journal articles and demonstration manuals for construction
and use in the classroom. We will show a subset of approximately 50 dem-
onstrations and explain their use, construction, acquisition of materials,
and answer any questions in this highly interactive and dynamic environ-
ment. Ideas for organizing and building your demonstration collection
will be presented. Those teaching high school physics and faculty members
teaching introductory physics will find this workshop extremely useful! It
is recommended you also take PIRA Lecture Demonstration Workshop II
if possible.
W27: Measuring of Learning in the Astronomy Classroom
Sponsor: Committee on Space Science and Astronomy
Time: 1–5 p.m. Sunday
Member Price: $70
Non-Member Price: $95
Location: SRTC 166
Janelle Bailey, UNLV, Department of Teaching & Learning, 4505 S. Maryland
Pkwy., Box 453005, Las Vegas, NV 89154-3005;
Tom Foster
This workshop will incorporate practice with and discussion of a variety
of assessment strategies that can be used in an astronomy course. Among
just some of the examples: concept inventories, ranking tasks, formative
assessment probes, minute papers, exit cards — and more. We’ll look at the
purposes of each, implementation aspects (including “to grade or not to
grade”), and how to understand the results. Take home samples and a plan
for incorporating more measurement of learning into your own course,
whether it is large or small.
W28: Research-based Tools for Teaching Quantum
Mechanics
Sponsor: Committee on Research in Physics Education
Co-sponsor: Committee on Physics in Undergraduate Education
Time: 8 a.m.–12 p.m. Sunday
Member Price: $60
Non-Member Price: $85
Location: SRTC 108
Chandralakah Singh, University of Pittsburgh, Department of Physics, 3941
Ohara St., Pittsburg, PA 15260;
In this workshop we will discuss the common difficulties students have in
learning quantum mechanics and how the use of research-based learning
tools can reduce these difficulties. These learning tools include Quantum
interactive learning tutorials (QuILTs), concept-tests for peer instruction,
