W08: Matter & Interactions: a Modern Calculus-Based Introductory Course
Ruth Chabay & Bruce A. Sherwood, North Carolina State,
Saturday, Aug. 2
8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Matter & Interactions is a modern calculus-based introductory physics course based on ten years of research and classroom testing, emphasizing the atomic nature of matter and macro-micro connections. It encourages students to analyze complex phenomena starting from fundamental principles, emphasizing the reductionist nature of contemporary physics. Students model messy real-world phenomena, making approximations and simplifying assumptions. ... Participants will get a comprehensive overview of the course and will sample a variety of student activities.
W25: Humanized Physics Activities
Robert Fuller, University of Nebraska
and others
Saturday, Aug. 2
1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
This three hour workshop will offer eight learning center activities based on the human applications of physics and the use of mathematical modeling. Participants, working in teams of four, will be able to experience each of the different activities and return home with handouts and ideas for use to humanize their own introductory physics courses. For more information send e-mail to rfuller2@unl.edu or visit the project website http://www.doane.edu/hpp/ .
W42: Teach Physics by Replicating the Process of Science
Eugenia Etkina, Rutgers University
Alan van Heuvelen, Rutgers University
Xueli Zou, California State University - Chico
Sunday, Aug. 3
8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
How do scientists construct new knowledge about how the world works? The process involves observations, qualitative explanations involving simplified models, more observations to develop quantitative models involving physical quantities and relations between them, and finally devising experiments to test and if needed revise the laws. As the science community gains confidence, these laws and models are applied for useful purposes to real world applications. This workshop will introduce an active-learning approach to teaching that replicates this process of science. The approach has been used in physics courses with honors engineering students, physics graduate students, high school physics students, and elementary education majors. The approach helps students develop a coherent understanding of the physical world. Students learn better to apply this understanding to solve practical problems. Workshop participants will learn how to integrate this approach into an introductory physics course without additional resources or major changes. Curriculum materials will be provided including a study guide for mechanics and electricity, and a CD with physics experiments accompanied by questions.
W55: Magic and the Magic of Physics
Fred Becchetti, University of Michigan
Sunday, Aug. 3
1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
The goal of this workshop is to present some easy-to-do magic which can be related to specific topics covered in HS and undergraduate college physics courses. As an example a number of penetration illusions will be shown and used as an introduction to the "magic' of nuclear decay and semiconductors. Likewise vanish illusions are used to introduce the conversion of matter to energy and vice versa. Levitation illusions are used to introduce atom trapping and optical "tweezers" . X-ray vision effects are related to the "magic" of medical imaging(CT,PET,MRI) . Most of the illusions and effects presented will be mechanical in nature ( or require only modest skill in magic) and hence can be done by most HS or college teachers to augment their existing courses or perhaps as a basis for a physics course for non-majors. A number of magic effects will be given as handouts and demonstrated. This workshop also will be aimed to serve as a follow up to past AAPT workshops on the topic.
Last updated 8/10/2003