July 13–17, 2013
57
Monday afternoon
Session BB: Demo and Lab Ideas for
the H.S. Physics Classroom
Location: Galleria II
Sponsor: Committee on Apparatus
Co-Sponsor: Committee on Physics in High Schools
Date: Monday, July 15
Time: 4–6 p.m.
Presider: Ray Polomski
BB01:
4-4:30 p.m. Fun and Insightful Demonstrations for
High School Teachers
Invited – Ralf Widenhorn, Portland State University/Science Outreach Soci-
ety, SRTC, 1719 SW 10th Ave., Room 134, Portland, OR 97201;
Justin Dunlap, Elliot Mylott, Lester Lampert, Elizabeth Anderson, Portland
State University/Science Outreach Society
We will present a number of demonstrations for the high school physics
classroom covering a range of topics. The presentation is done by Portland
State University’s Science Outreach Society and physics high school
teachers and demonstrators from Oregon, led by Ralf Widenhorn. The
presentation includes time for discussion and questions and contributions
throughout the half hour.
BB02:
4:30-5 p.m. More Demonstration Ideas for the H.S.
Physics Classroom
Invited – David E. Sturm, University of Maine, Department of Physics &
Astronomy, 5709 Bennett, Orono, ME 04469-5709;
Adam Beehler, University of Utah
Sam Sampere, Syracuse University
David Maiullo, Rutgers University
We continue the presentation of demonstrations for the high school
physics classroom. This presentation includes PIRA and national physics
demonstrators, led by D. Sturm (PIRA representative to AAPT). Includes
time for discussion and questions, and contributions from participants
throughout the half hour. (Part 2 of 2).
BB03:
5-5:30 p.m. Exploring Electricity and Circuits from a
Battery’s Perspective*
Invited – John P. Lewis, Glenbrook South High School, 4000 West Lake Ave.,
Glenview, IL 60025;
Tiberiu Dragouiu-Luca, Hillsborough High School, Hillsborough, NJ
Exploring electricity from the perspective of the battery provides a rich,
data-driven, laboratory-centered experience for students which propels
them to understand practical applications of electrical energy including
battery life, energy storage, and the difference between power and work.
Connecting batteries in series and parallel while measuring the potential
difference and current provided in each case leads students to experimen-
tal revelations that far exceed more traditional approaches to the studies
of electric circuits. Students put batteries to the test to determine answers
to real-world questions like, “Which battery provides the greatest value
for my dollar?” “Why doesn’t a flashlight give me a hint when it is about to
fail?” or “How does the cost of energy provided by a commercial battery
compare to that provided by our electrical power companies?” This session
will share the benefits and challenges of undertaking this type of study and
will provide ample time for participants to reflect, question and discuss.
*This research was developed and supported by the “Introductory Physics Laboratory
Writing Conference” A joint project of Lee College, Estrella Mountain Community
College and the National Science Foundation.
BB04:
5:30-6 p.m. A Common “Cents” Lab
Invited – Duane L. Deardorff, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB
3255, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3255;
This simple laboratory activity provides a basic introduction to measure-
ments and their uncertainties while challenging students to use critical
thinking and reasoning skills. By taking measurements of mass, diameter,
and the thickness of pennies, students calculate the average density of these
coins and often find that their results do not agree with other students or
the theoretical value based on the metal composition. The reasons for these
discrepancies provide valuable lessons for students. An overview of this
activity along with typical results will be presented.
Session BC: Engineering in the
Physics Classroom
Location: Galleria I
Sponsor: Committee on Physics in High Schools
Date: Monday, July 15
Time: 4–5:40 p.m.
Presider: Susan Johnston
BC01:
4-4:30 p.m. Strategies for Bringing Back the
“T&E” in STEM
Invited – Duane B. Crum, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive,
San Diego, CA 92182-1328;
When modern physics was first introduced to high schools in the 1950s,
it provided much better alignment with college physics but introduced
a number of unintended consequences. Most importantly, the “T&E” in
STEM was largely removed from high school course offerings. Today, as
the STEM phenomenon grows exponentially, schools struggle to reincor-
porate “T&E”. Our economy is driven by technology and fields of engineer-
ing that didn’t even exist 20 years ago. Introducing our students to this
information is critical but, with budget cutbacks and reductions in class
periods, adding this material is difficult at best. Adding such material to a
physics class is nearly impossible without changes to the standards. Suc-
cessful strategies for dealing with this problem in high schools and middle
schools will be discussed. Project Lead the Way will be described as one
example of a successful program that is helping to solve these problems.
BC02:
4:30-5 p.m. Teaching Green Engineering and Physics
with Project Lead the Way
Invited – Michael J. Waltz, Livermore High School, 600 Maple St., Livermore,
CA 94550;
Project Lead the Way (PLTW) is primarily known as a source of Pre-Engi-
neering curriculum which helps students in grades 7-12 prepare for college
through hands-on, project-based learning. Many of the engineering topics
in this curriculum overlap with the high school physics curriculum. Ad-
ditionally, the PLTW curriculum contains many projects that already have
“Green” components or that can be modified to teach renewable energy,
energy efficiency, and recycling. The Green Engineering Academy at Liver-
more High School has combined PLTW, Physics, and Green Engineering
topics in an innovative new course.
BC03:
5-5:10 p.m. Research Experience for Teachers:
Creating an Automated Waste Sorting Device
Contributed – James B. Hancock II, Central Michigan University, DOW Sci-
ence, 215 Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859;
Tolga Kaya, Central Michigan University
Based on the automated waste sorting competition from the American
Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the participants in this Research
Experience for Teachers (RET) designed and fabricated a device used to
sort recyclable materials. The purpose of the RET was to expose current
and future teachers to engineering processes and how they relate to content
