Physics Curriculum Projects

Student Performance Objectives:

The teacher candidate will characterize each of several physics education projects.
The teacher candidate will compare and contrast pairs of physics education projects.
The teacher candidate will explain the extensive rationale behind the Physics First approach.
The teacher candidate will accurately describe the meaning of and resources available through "online digital TV"
The teacher candidate will define and distinguish the meanings of gifted and talented.
The teacher candidate will identify a number of resources for working with the gifted and talented.
The teacher candidate will explain the utility of using AP course in working with gifted and talented.
The teacher candidate will explain the broad applicability of Physics to a wide range of career choices.
The teacher candidate will explain the Illinois Education-to-Careers Initiative.
The teacher candidate will explain the significance of the "Physics First" initiative.

Required Readings:

Advanced Placement (AP) Physics (PowerPoint presentation)

Advanced Placement Course Program (takes you off site to the College Board)

Modeling Method of Physics Instruction

Physics Curriculum Projects (PowerPoint presentation)

The Physics First Initiative

Gifted Education (PowerPoint presentation)

Recruitment and Job Placement (PowerPoint presentation)

Recommended Readings & Resources:

Learning and Understanding: Improving Advanced Study of Mathematics and Science in U.S. High Schools (NRC Report; read executive summary)

Modeling Instruction in High School Physics (takes you to the Arizona State University website)

Comprehensive Conceptual Curriculum for Physics (C3P) Web Page

Constructing Physics Understanding (CPU) Project Web Page

Physical Resources and Instructional Strategies for Motivating Students (PRISMS) Web Page

Annenburg/CPB Video on Demand - see especially the 52-part series Mechanical Universe.

Hippocampus.org - see especially the physics teaching resources

physicsclassroom.com - A site with self-study guides and animations for every conceivable high school physics course.

Additional High School Curricula:

American Association of Physics Teachers, Powerful Ideas in Physical Science, Vol. I-IV. College Park, MD: Author (1995)

Eisenkraft, A. Active Physics, AAPT (1994)

Haber-Schaim, U., Dodge, J. H., Gardner, R., & Shore, E. PSSC Physics

Laws, P, et al., Workshop Physics Activity Guide, Wiley, NY (1997)

Leonard, W. J., R. J. Dufresne, W. J. Gerace, & J. P. Mestre, Minds on Physics, Activities and Reader, Kendall/Hunt, Dubuque, IA, (1999)

Mazur, E., Peer Instruction: A User's Manual, Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall (1997)
http://mazur-www.harvard.edu/education/educationmenu.html

McDermott, L. C. (Physics Education Group at the University of Washington), Physics by Inquiry, Vols. I and II, New York, NY: Wiley, New York (1996)

McDermott L. C. (Physics Education Group at the University of Washington), Tutorials in Introductory Physics and Homework Manual, Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall (1998)

Sokoloff, D.R, Thornton, R.K., & Laws, P.W. Real-Time Physics, New York, NY: Wiley (1999)

Van Heuvelen, A. ActivPhysics: An Interactive Multimedia CD, Addison Wesley. Part I (1997)/Part II (January 1999).
http://www.aw.com/product/0,2627,0201361116,00.html

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