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Twin Valley High School

Twin Valley High School. Picture of TVHS. Elverson, Pennsylvania. Patsy Meyers (Science Department Chair) “Frustrated Biology Teacher” Became aware of Physics First movement through work of Dr. Lederman. Lobbied successfully for science sequence reform

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Twin Valley High School

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  1. Twin Valley High School Picture of TVHS Elverson, Pennsylvania

  2. Patsy Meyers (Science Department Chair) “Frustrated Biology Teacher” Became aware of Physics First movement through work of Dr. Lederman. Lobbied successfully for science sequence reform initiative at Twin Valley. Driven to do ... “what is best for the kids.” Picture of Patsy Physics First “Grassroots Initiative”

  3. Twin Valley’s Entry Into Physics First 2001-2002 Teaching E&S Science in both 8th and 9th grades. School visitations – NJ & Clayton HS, MO • How to bring Physics First to the High School? • How to teach physics to freshmen? • Find a third member for • “Team Physics.” Cathy Harne

  4. Modeling Physics - Arizona State University Training in: Modeling Methodology, Equipment Usage, Team building • “Team Physics” Profiles • Cathy Harne • Grove City College – BS Ed. Physics • 1st full year of teaching • Matt Watson • Univ. of Rochester – BS Ed. Physics • 9 years St. Thomas Aquinas HS in Ft. L., FL • Team leader • Doug Mountz • West Chester Univ. – BS Ed. Comp. Science • Post graduate work at Immaculata University • 30 years at Twin Valley, MS and HS science

  5. What is Modeling?Constructivist Approach to Teaching Freshman Physics • Begin with Idea – Pre lab • What can you see? • What can you measure? • What can you change? • Give It a Name • velocity, acceleration, etc. • Multiple Representations, i.e. • x-t, v-t, a-tgraphs • motion maps • an equation • motion detector • Application • lab practicum

  6. Whiteboarding“... is a teacher directed process designed to probe a student’s prior understanding, and to construct strategies to bring the student to a more complete comprehension.” – Don Yost (Contributor to Modeling LISTSERV) Contains just information to demonstrate understanding. Motion Map Sketch of Graph Mathematical Model x = mt + b • • • x x m = Δx / Δt b t

  7. How Can You Know What Students Understand? Socratic Dialogue “How do you know?” “Did you mean ...?” “Why did you answer that way?” “How do your results compare to the first group?”

  8. Physics forAll Freshmen?Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Mountz! Modeling Physics Conceptually • “Wow” Factor in equipment • Laboratory (shop) atmosphere • Process oriented • HS freshmen are social learners

  9. Course of Study for Freshman Physics2002-2003 Tools of Physics Measuring, estimating, unit conversions using dimensional analysis, curve recognition, graphing data sets, linearization Modeling CASTLE(Capacitor Aided System for Teaching and Learning Electricity) Modeling Physics Kinematics and Dynamics

  10. Freshman Physics Concept Assessment2002-2003

  11. School Board Renovated science classrooms Complete financial commitment to equipping rooms Committed to training three teachers in modeling at ASU Administration Encouraged school visitations Common planning for physics teachers. Good class size Learning Support commitment Support from Twin Valley School District

  12. Work in Progress2003-2004 • Develop a better and consistent whiteboard assessment. • Adjust pacing to better maximize class time through the school year. • Add electrostatics to end of year prior to chemistry in tenth grade. • Resequence the course of study. • Develop pre- and post- assessments • appropriate for freshmen in both Mechanics and CASTLE.

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