Washington Twp. Schools Robbinsville High School Parent Academy October 19, 2006

WHY PHYSICS FIRST?

Objectives Informing parents, students, and members of the community of our “Physics First” program. Informing parents, students, and members of the community of our “Physics First” program. Explaining misconceptions perceived about the program. Explaining misconceptions perceived about the program. Explaining the rationale behind following the “Physics First” program. Explaining the rationale behind following the “Physics First” program. What can your children do to prepare for the class? What can your children do to prepare for the class?

What is Physics First? Freshmen take Physics as first high school science course. Freshmen take Physics as first high school science course. Everyone takes Physics before leaving high school. Everyone takes Physics before leaving high school. Realigns high school science curriculum. Realigns high school science curriculum. Past idea coming full circle. (Early 1900’s) Past idea coming full circle. (Early 1900’s) Science Education reform. Science Education reform. Embodies constructivist techniques of inquiry and conceptual change. Embodies constructivist techniques of inquiry and conceptual change.

COURSES Principles of Physics (Hewitt – Conceptual) Principles of Physics (Hewitt – Conceptual) College Prep Physics (Hewitt – Conceptual) College Prep Physics (Hewitt – Conceptual) Honors Physics (Glencoe – Principles and Problems) Honors Physics (Glencoe – Principles and Problems) AP Physics (Contemporary College Physics) AP Physics (Contemporary College Physics)

Science Sequencing 9 th Grade – Physics 9 th Grade – Physics 10 th Grade – Chemistry 10 th Grade – Chemistry Possible Electives such as forensics Possible Electives such as forensics 11 th Grade – Biology 11 th Grade – Biology Possible electives such as AP Physics or AP chemistry Possible electives such as AP Physics or AP chemistry 12 th Grade – Elective 12 th Grade – Elective AP Biology, Environmental Science AP Biology, Environmental Science

APPROACH Willing to adapt Willing to adapt Flexibility Flexibility Middle School Articulation Middle School Articulation Work in progress Work in progress Changing programs throughout the whole district Changing programs throughout the whole district

Teaching Strategies Laboratory Based – Inquiry Laboratory Based – Inquiry Concepts first, Equations and math later Concepts first, Equations and math later Math and Physics Articulation Math and Physics Articulation Possibilities Possibilities Light, Electricity, Magnetism first Light, Electricity, Magnetism first Mechanics second Mechanics second

Scheduling 3 days a week 3 days a week Two 80 minute blocks and one 45 Minute period Two 80 minute blocks and one 45 Minute period Some work needs to be done at home Some work needs to be done at home Block Scheduling Block Scheduling Excellent for teaching science Excellent for teaching science Many objectives can be met in one class Many objectives can be met in one class

WHY? Physics is the base science. Physics is the base science. Many Physics principles are used in Chemistry. Many Physics principles are used in Chemistry. Energy Energy Matter Matter Mechanics Mechanics Many Chemistry principles are used in Biology. Many Chemistry principles are used in Biology. Energy Energy Atomic Structure Atomic Structure Acids/Bases Acids/Bases The face of Biology is changing to a more Bio-Chem. The face of Biology is changing to a more Bio-Chem.

COMMON MISCONCETIONS Physics is an 11 th /12 th grade course. Physics is an 11 th /12 th grade course. Students math skills have not been developed. Students math skills have not been developed. Nobody else is doing it. Nobody else is doing it. Physics is too hard for a 9 th grade student Physics is too hard for a 9 th grade student

General Science Benefits Greater percentage of students taking science. Greater percentage of students taking science. Juniors are taking two sciences. Juniors are taking two sciences. Seniors may take two sciences. Seniors may take two sciences. 25% of current juniors are enrolled in an AP class as juniors. 25% of current juniors are enrolled in an AP class as juniors. Physics gave meaning to Algebra Physics gave meaning to Algebra

Chemistry Benefits Much better lab results Much better lab results Development of graphing skills Development of graphing skills Prior knowledge is used such as electricity and energy. Prior knowledge is used such as electricity and energy. Common themes throughout Physics and Chemistry Common themes throughout Physics and Chemistry Chemistry facilitates Biology Chemistry facilitates Biology Concrete experience in the lab and with base concepts Concrete experience in the lab and with base concepts

Biology Benefits Deeper appreciation for energy Deeper appreciation for energy Would be discussing this idea for three years Would be discussing this idea for three years Better understanding of “Science” equals better understanding of deeper concepts in Biology. Better understanding of “Science” equals better understanding of deeper concepts in Biology. Have been thinking on a small scale for two years (Experience) Have been thinking on a small scale for two years (Experience)

What’s in it for the kids? Everyone takes Physics Everyone takes Physics 100% at RHS vs. 25% or lower in the nation 100% at RHS vs. 25% or lower in the nation Professors start curriculum from the beginning Professors start curriculum from the beginning Students will be more prepared for a college science class Students will be more prepared for a college science class Raises AP enrollment. Raises AP enrollment. Raises AP opportunities (Benefits go on to college) Raises AP opportunities (Benefits go on to college) Students take more science Students take more science Gives relevance to the interdependence of science Gives relevance to the interdependence of science

Pitfalls Transition from Middle School Transition from Middle School Math Issues - Algebra Math Issues - Algebra Writing Skills Writing Skills Reading Skills Reading Skills Reading Physics can be technical Reading Physics can be technical

Support for the Program Administrative support Administrative support Supported financially through the district budget Supported financially through the district budget Plenty of Supplies Plenty of Supplies Help and knowledge from other schools in the program Help and knowledge from other schools in the program Especially Montgomery High School Especially Montgomery High School Board of Education support Board of Education support Approved programs Approved programs Approved trips Approved trips Approved budget Approved budget

Other Participating Schools Montgomery High School Montgomery High School South Brunswick High School South Brunswick High School North Hunterdon High School North Hunterdon High School Had program for over 20 years Had program for over 20 years Voorhees High School Voorhees High School Numerous School Districts thinking about making the change Numerous School Districts thinking about making the change Franklin Twp Franklin Twp Bridgewater (2008) Bridgewater (2008)

How can we prepare? Summer Math help Summer Math help Taking algebra in 8 th grade Taking algebra in 8 th grade Possible Pre-Physics course for a couple of weeks over the summer Possible Pre-Physics course for a couple of weeks over the summer Get in contact with 9 th grade Physics teacher prior to the school year Get in contact with 9 th grade Physics teacher prior to the school year Come to the Parent Academy and 8 th grade Orientation Come to the Parent Academy and 8 th grade Orientation

Questions & Answers