The workshop is sponsored by the AAPT as well as the APS Forum on Physics and Society as well as the new APS Topical Group on Energy Research and Applications.
It will be held March 5-6 at UC Berkeley (Evans Hall 10).
The workshop should be of interest to faculty who wish to introduce energy topics into their courses as well as advanced students who might be interested in some aspect of energy research. A similar course organized three years ago was considered a great success. Participants will receive a book of the talks presented.
REGISTER SOON. We sold out when a similar course was offered three years ago.
20 educators attended the afternoon “Introduction to Modeling” workshop lead by Lee Trampleasure and Jon Rockman. Educators were lead through the development of one of the Modeling “paradigm labs.” The lab used constant velocity cars to develop position vs time data that could be graphed to determine the average velocity of the cars. After groups graphed their data, they created whiteboard presentations of their results. After a discussion of the results, Lee presented data from his classes this year, showing the results of 20 student groups.
For more information on Modeling Instruction, visit modeling.asu.edu.
7:45 Registration, Coffee, Donuts and other culinary delights
Sign up for lunch if you would like one.
8:55 Welcome and Announcements
9:00 Show & Tell — Part 1
Share your favorite demonstration or teaching tip. Since new teachers and section members will be at this meeting, you are encouraged to dust off some of your oldies but goodies. If you have handouts, please bring 75 copies. Time limite is 5 minutes per person or you risk the dreaded Gong!
10:00 “Blinky Lights — Quantized Motion”
Invited Speakers: Paul Doherty & Don Rathjen
Join the crew from the Exploratorium investigating the motion of objects using time exposure digital images of Inova microlights which blink at 100 Hz. We’ll do quantitative analysis of constant velocity, accelerating and rotational motion. We’ll produce some artistic images as well. Bring your own digital camera and learn ahead how to take long exposures.
11:15 Break
11:30 Business Meeting
12:00 Show & Tell — Part 2
12:30 Lunch
For those staying for the afternoon workshops, or just to socialize.
Have you been interested in the Modeling Method of High School Physics Instruction? Come to a two-hour mini-workshop to get your hands on some of the activities, and have some of your questions answered. “Modeling,” developed in 1990, cultivates physics teachers as experts on effective use of guided inquiry in physic teaching. Program goals are fully aligned with National Science Education Standards. The Modeling Method corrects many weaknesses of the traditional lecture-demonstration method, including fragmentation of knowledge, student passivity, and persistence of naive beliefs about the physical world. The Modeling Method organizes the course around a small number of scientific models, thus making a more course coherent.
Workshop B: Exploring Optics at the Convenient Three Centimeter Wavelength
While many of the properties of E-M radiation are readily demonstrated with visible light (the geometric) some are not (many physical), because of its microscopic wavelength. The invention of the klystron and more recently the Gun diode makes it possible to more easily demonstrate those of microscopic character, because their generated wavelengths are about five orders of magnitude greater. These include measurement of the evanescent wave resulting from frustrated total internal reflection, Miraldi’s spot, zone plates, and the phase speed of E-M radiation confined in a waveguide. We can demonstrate some of these using the X-band radiation generated by a WW II surplus klystron. Several firms sell instructional systems using Gun diodes. However, they don’t include the apparatus or directions for the above and other more esoteric effects. If time permits, we can explore those in addition to the former listed above. They include dichroism (birefringence), retardation plates, and various optical elements using artificial dielectrics including optical activity. The commercial systems include such basic demonstrations as polarization and refraction. If desired, we can do these, also.
Registration
$10 for NCNAAPT members; Free for first-time attendees and students.
We will have “proof of attendance” letters documenting attendance for any teacher who needs one for their district/credential professional development purposes.
Dues and Don’ts
Section dues are $25 for the academic year, due each Fall. If you cannot attend the meeting, remain an active member and ensure you’ll receive all our mailings by sending dues to our treasurer, Dennis Buckly, PO Box 735, Brentwood, CA 94513
Lodging
Three local hotels include:
Embassy Suites; 1345 Treat Blvd.
Walnut Creek, CA
866-654-8205
or
Holiday Inn Express; 2730 N. Main Street
Walnut Creek, CA 94597
925-932-3332
or
Motel 6; 2389 North Main Street
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
925-935-4010
Exploring Optics at the Convenient Three Centimeter Wavelength
