1. Implementing
Units 1 & 2
of the
new Study Design
in 2003

2. Unit 1: Current Situation
Already started with Sight & Light
Sight & Light always takes more time than planned for (8 instead of 6 weeks)
Radioactivity & Nuclear Energy done in 3 – 4 weeks.
Heating & Cooling is then limited to 3 – 4 weeks, with some content not covered.

3. Unit 1: Strategy Don’t bother with Heating and Cooling
Look for a Detailed Study close to current course
Work out how to cover the expanded and more complex Light section

4. Choice of Detailed Study
The new Area of Study “Nuclear and radioactivity physics” is quite short (about 2 weeks)
The Detailed Study “Energy from the Nucleus” picks up the Nuclear Energy aspects of the old R & N Area of Study.
It also extends this to Fusion reactions and a descriptive treatment of nuclear forces.

5. Choice of Detailed Study
The whole lot could be covered in about 4 – 5 weeks
It is supported by the current text books

6. Managing Light Comments
There is a lot of content in this new area of study
There are many diverse concepts to cover
There seems too much work to do in one continuous sitting.

7. Managing Light Strategy
Break the topic into two sections, one to be done at the beginning of the semester, the other to be done at the end of the semester.
Continue as in current course with the ray model of light, and stop when its limitations are reached.
Begin the second section with explaining the limitations, and introduce the wave and particle models, going on to the remaining light phenomena.

8. Managing Light Week 1 Sources of light. Speed of light.
Straight line path for light rays Ray paths that enable sight.
Week 2
Law of Reflection. Images and Plane Mirrors.
Week 3
Images in Curved Mirrors
Week 4
Refraction Refractive Index, Snell's Law
Total Internal Reflection Critical Angle
Week 5
Images and Lenses

9. Managing Light
Week 11
Limitations of ray model Particle and wave models
Velocity ratio
Week 12
Properties of waves Types of waves
Polarisation
Week 13
Frequency and colour EM spectrum
Week 14
Dispersion and other colour effects

10. Doing Light in 2004 Questions to consider:
How much will students recall of Light from Years 9 & 10?
Can “Light as a Wave” be a starting point for the year?

11. Implementing Units 1 & 2 of the new Study Design in 2003
Unit 2 Current Situation
The current course is nicely spaced
The content seems to be largely unchanged
A Detailed Study has been added.
Strategy
Look for a Detailed Study that easily fits in to the current course

12. Choice of Detailed Study
The Detailed Study “Investigations: Alternative energy sources” seems an obvious replacement for the Energy Investigation.
Consider investigation topics that link the electrical power to the mechanical power.
Such an investigation could be an effective way to finish the semester.

13. Possible Topics for Investigation
Solar powered DC motor used to lift a mass
Battery driven car
Solar powered boat
Solar powered car

14. Scientific Literacy Being Scientific Literate means being aware that
Science is a process of seeking better explanations,
Experimental investigations are used to test and extend explanations,
Investigations require the analysis of data by graphical and mathematical means

15. Scientific Literacy Aspects
Science is a process of seeking better explanations by an experimental method requiring graphical and mathematical skills.
For students to be aware of these aspects means that they need to do them, which the courses allow.