1. Writing and Using Case Studies to Help Students Learn Physics
Bruce Palmquist
Central Washington University
Link to this presentation:

2. Outline Why use case studies to teach physics?
The 4 parts of the interrupted case
Let’s be students
Evaluating the student product
Basic interrupted case template
Start to write your own case study
What CWU has written so far
References

3. Why use case studies in physics?
Cases can be used to teach scientific concepts, process skills and critical thinking.
Cases are based on contemporary science issues, making the science relevant
Cases can be presented in a variety of formats, ranging from the classical discussion method used in business and law schools to small group cooperative learning strategies.

4. The interrupted case http://goo.gl/TwsVeY Case describes
Students write about
Background science and scenario
Possible questions and hypotheses
Actual hypotheses from the study
Related physics concepts, possible study design
Actual study design
Possible results if the hypotheses were true or false
Actual results
Interpretation of the results

5. Class instructions on case study day
You will work on this in your self selected groups of 3 or 4
When you finish the first part, tell the instructors. They’ll quickly check your work and give you the second part
Repeat for parts 3 and 4
Budget your time appropriately. Take about 20 min. each for parts 1 & 3, 15 min. each for parts 2 & 4
For AAPT workshop: just take about 2-3 minutes looking over and discussing each part.

6. Let’s be students
Go to this presentation and click on your link. You’ll get to a blank document for you to type your answers.
This is how I manage the assignment.
Group 1 template Group 2 template
Group 3 template Group 4 template
Group 5 template Group 6 template

7. General feedback given to class
Final draft due next Monday at noon
In part 2, define and quantify what you mean by “appropriate” plastic.
In part 2, item 3, incorporate a formula for displacement. Don’t just mention it.
In part 3, provide reasons justifying your graphs

8. Case study evaluation Sample response in Google Docs
Evaluated with a rubric
After the initial submission, students get feedback and can revise to earn back up to half the points missed

9. Start writing your own Template for writing your own case
Download the template and start planning your own case study.
Engineering and sports science journals are great places to find articles
Open Sports Science Journal has free access
Focus on finding an article, determining the hypothesis, and starting the questions for Parts 1 and 2.

10. Case study collection (as PDFs)
Physics concept
1. Track characteristics and sprinting performance
Hooke’s Law, Impulse - momentum
4. Electrostatic separation of plastics
Static electricity
2. Spider evolution and leg characteristics
Pendulum motion, energy
5. Effect of EM waves on plants
F = qE
3. Vibration of baseball bats
Standing wave characteristics
6. Do magnetic bracelets relieve pain?
F = qv x B
If you’d like these as a Word document, please me at

11. References
Dinan F. Chemistry by the case. J Res Sci Teach 32(1): 36-41, 2002.
Herreid CE. Can case studies be used to teach critical thinking? J Res Sci Teach 33(6): 12-14, 2004.
Herreid CE. Editorial: the interrupted case method. J Res Sci Teach 34(2): 4-5, 2005.
Yadav A, et. al. Lessons learned: implementing the case teaching method in a mechanical engineering course. J Eng Ed 55-69, 99(1): 2010.
Yadav A, et. al. Teaching science with case studies. J Col Sci Teach 37(1): 34-38, 2007.
National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science