30
Workshops – Saturday, January 4
All workshops are held at Rollins College, Bush Science Center
W01: Research-based Alternatives to Traditional
Physics Problems
Sponsor: Committee on Research in Physics Education
Time: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday
Member Price: $80
Non-Member Price: $105
Location:
228
Kathy Harper, Engineering Education Innovation Center, Ohio State Uni-
versity, 244 Hitchcock Hall, Columbus, OH 43210;
Thomas M. Foster, David P. Maloney
Accumulating research on problem solving in physics clearly indicates
that traditional, end-of-chapter exercises in physics texts are not use-
ful and may actually hinder students’ learning of important physics
concepts. The research also raises questions about the efficacy of such
tasks for helping students develop “problem solving skills.” In light of
these results the question is: What alternative tasks can we use to help
students develop problem solving skills and a conceptual under-
standing? This workshop will review the research and then provide
examples of several alternative tasks and their use. Participants will
also get practice writing alternative problems in a variety of formats
for use in their own classrooms.
W03: Physics and Astronomy by Design
Sponsor: Committee on Teacher Preparation
Co-sponsor: Committee on Space Science and Astronomy
Time: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday
Member Price: $105
Non-Member Price: $130
Location:
210
Julia Olsen;
What is understanding? What is the relationship between knowledge
and understanding? What does “teaching for understanding” look
like in the physics and/or astronomy classroom? How can we imple-
ment reformed teaching along with new standards? These and other
important questions will be explored as participants design, develop,
and refine a cohesive unit plan based on the principles found in Un-
derstanding by Design (UbD). In the UbD classroom, there are high
expectations and incentives for all students while exploration of big
ideas and essential questions is differentiated, so students who are able
delve more deeply into the subject matter than others. This workshop
is appropriate for instructors from pre-high school through college
levels. Participants will receive a copy of UbD, 2ndEd.(print or pdf)
Note:
participants are strongly encouraged to bring their own laptops
to the workshop.
W04: Reformed Teaching Observation Protocol (RTOP)
Sponsor: Committee Physics in Undergraduate Education
Co-sponsor: Committee on Physics in Pre-High School Education
Time: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday
Member Price: $80
Non-Member Price: $105
Location:
202
Kathleen Falconer, Buffalo State College, 1300 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo,
NY 14222;
Daniel MacIsaac
The Reformed Teaching Observation Protocol (RTOP) is a 25-item
rubric that provides a percentile measure of the degree and type of
student-centered, constructivist, inquiry-based engagement in an in-
structional situation. RTOP scores correlate very highly with student
conceptual gains. In this workshop, we will score video vignettes of
teaching to learn how to use RTOP for guiding personal reflection
and improvement and change of our own teaching; for mentoring
peers, novice teachers, and student teachers; and to establish a vo-
cabulary for discussing reformed teaching practices. If you wish, you
may bring a DVD of your own teaching to score.
W06: Teaching Science with LEGO Mindstorms: FIRST
Steps and Beyond
Sponsor: Committee on Science Education for the Public
Co-sponsor: Committee on Apparatus
Time: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday
Member Price: $90
Non-Member Price: $115
Location:
101
Jeremy Benson, Department of Chemistry & Physics; 109 Chanticleer
Dr. East; Conway, SC 29526;
Steve Lindaas
One of the many challenges associated with teaching science and
engineering is including the creativity aspects of the fields. Too often
material is taught as a sequence of conceptual ideas strung together
by mathematical proofs or historical asides. The use of LEGO
Mindstorms allows for a hands-on exploration of the same scientific
concepts while explicitly incorporating scientific reasoning skills and
emphasizing the creativity side of science and engineering. In this
workshop we will introduce the LEGO Mindstorms kits and the NXT
programming software by having participants build and program
LEGO robots similar to those used in the FIRST LEGO League (FLL).
Initially we will focus on developing simple programming algorithms,
tips for teaching the material, and avoiding common pitfalls. This will
be followed by having participants perform a few example experi-
ments that demonstrate the interplay of content knowledge, scientific
reasoning, and creativity.
W07: Inquiry-based Learning Strategies that Support
the New AP Physics 1&2 Courses
Sponsor: Committee on Physics in High Schools
Time: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday
Member Price: $100
Non-Member Price: $125
Location:
180
Dolores Gende;
Connie Wells
The new AP Physics: Algebra-Based 1 and 2 courses have a strong em-
phasis on inquiry-based learning. This workshop will provide participants
with several inquiry-based labs as well as strategies for modifying more
traditional labs to include inquiry. Other non-laboratory related inquiry-
based strategies will be discussed as well. The workshop will be presented
by Dolores Gende, CBA to the AP Physics 1 Development Committee.
W08: Ring Flinger Make-n-take
Sponsor: Committee on Apparatus
Time: 8 a.m.–12 p.m. Saturday
Member Price: $185
Non-Member Price: $210
Location:
160
Sam Sampere, Syracuse University, Department of Physics, 201 Phys-
ics Building, Syracuse, NY 13244;
During this session, you will build (PIRA 5K20.30) a Thompson-Elihu
coil, commonly known as the Ring Flinger demonstration. Your com-
pleted device will toss 2-in OD aluminum rings six meters into the air,
and higher when you cool them! Rings fashioned from other materi-
als will jump to different heights. Learn why this is so, and build your
own coil to take home by attending this workshop. The completed
project weighs about 10 lbs. You should plan to ship your new favorite
demo home via UPS or USPS.
W09: TIPERs in the High School Classroom
Sponsor: Committee on Physics in High Schools
Time: 8 a.m.– 12 p.m. Saturday
Member Price: $65
Non-Member Price: $90
Location:
164
Martha Lietz;
