NCNAAPT

“Teaching Strategies for Conceptual Physics for Freshman” Bree Barnett Dreyfuss and Jon Brix Amador Valley High School, Pleasanton, CA Jon and Bree discussed several strategies for teaching freshmen Physics: Use hands on learning & projects Enforce vocabulary Use the GUESS (Givens, Unknown, Equation, Substitute and Solve) calculation method Encourage partner work Jon and Bree discussed difficulties in teaching the class due to low math skills, special needs students, varying grade levels, etc. The class requires a variety of strategies and resources in order to keep them engaged. Additional resources will be available on Bree’s website. “Developing Some of the Skills…

Paul Doherty & Don Rathjen Paul gave us a brief history of the Exploratorium and its growth over the years. Participants were then split into two groups to explore the Exploratorium’s favorite exhibits. Don and Paul gave tours of the museum and met back together for one big demonstration. Highlights include exploring the reflective properties of the dome at the Palace of Fine Arts and the hidden resonance tube inside one of its pillars. Paul demonstrated the “whirly” sound resonance tube in a larger-than-normal format. A video will be available once its edited.

Adam Weiner, Bishop School in La Jolla, CA Adam uses movie clips to teach traditional problems to engage students in the problem. (book available for signing) Some movies are good to show to explore “good science” and data can be collected from the clips in order to create problems. Others are examples of “bad science” and can be used to generate discussions about what is wrong based on the science students know. Adam likes action movies such as Spiderman, Spiderman 2, Spiderman 3, XXX, 2001: Space Odyssey, etc. Website: www.hollywoodmoviephysics.com

Dave Kagan introduced the rules & procedure for Share ‘n Tell including the dreaded gong! Bree Barnett Dreyfuss – Amador Valley High School Recently Bree used Energizer AA batteries in a physics lab only to find that several students were being shocked by them. It turns out that the plastic covering on the bottom terminal of the battery was not very well covered and the multi-stranded wire used in the experiment was poking underneath the covering and shorting out the battery. Duracell AA batteries have a better covered bottom terminal. Energizers can be fixed by putting a hole reinforce on…