1. Explorations in Physics Enhancing Scientific Literacy for Non-Science Majors w/ Real World Applications

2. Workshop Science Project Development of Units for the Explorations in Physics Curriculum (EiP) from 1995 - Present Collaborative Effort –Priscilla Laws, Dickinson College –David Jackson, Dickinson College –Scott Franklin, Rochester Institute of Technology –Kerry Browne, Dickinson College Funding –Dana Foundation –National Science Foundation –FIPSE

3. EiP Goals Enhance scientific literacy of non-science majors and pre- service teacher Encourage appropriate attitudes about the process of science –Science is about making sense of the world –Emphasize inquiry over authority as the primary means of acquiring scientific knowledge Master critical concepts in topic areas Have positive experience w/ learning science Learn to present results of scientific investigations –Oral –Written

4. Achieving EiP Goals Develop Explorations in Physics Curriculum –A set of stand alone physics-oriented interdisciplinary Curricular Units –Each unit leads students to develop an understanding of some real world phenomena Storyline Less material learned more deeply EiP Units blend guided inquiry and projects –18 class hours for structured lab-based activities and /or Interactive Lecture Demonstrations –18 class hours for group projects recommended but not required

5. Ready for Publication –Motion, Forces & Scientific Theories –Light, Sight & Rainbows –Heat, Temperature & Cloud Formation –Buoyancy, Pressure & Flight Explorations in Physics Units Under Development –Patterns, Fractals & Complexity –Energy, Fuels & Environment –Sound, Vibrations & Music –Oceans, Lakes & Swimming Pools

6. Ready for Publication –Motion, Forces & Scientific Theories –Light, Sight & Rainbows –Heat, Temperature & Cloud Formation –Buoyancy, Pressure & Flight Explorations in Physics Units Under Development –Patterns, Fractals & Complexity –Energy, Fuels & Environment –Sound, Vibrations & Music –Oceans, Lakes & Swimming Pools

7. Goals: Buoyancy, Pressure and Flight To develop an experimentally verifiable model of floating and sinking. To explore the difference between force and pressure. To observe how gases respond to external forces. To explore how pressure differs at various locations in air and water. To investigate the role pressure differences play in buoyancy. To investigate the role pressure differences play in enabling birds and airplanes to fly.

8. Buoyancy, Pressure and Flight 1. Defining and measuring pushes and pulls on floaters and sinkers. 2. Investigating what determines whether an object floats or sinks. 3. Investigating pressure and how gases and liquids exert force? 4. Exploring how barometers and airplanes work using the concept of pressure. 5. Projects

9. Buoyancy, Pressure and Flight 1. Measuring and defining pushes and pulls on floaters and sinkers. 2. Investigating what determines whether an object floats or sinks. 3. Investigating pressure and how gases and liquids exert force? 4. Exploring how barometers and airplanes work using the concept of pressure. 5. Projects

10. What Determines Buoyant Force? Define floating and sinking Buoyant force measured when objects are completely submerged Size Matters!

11. Discovering Archimedes principle Measure the weight of the object –Out of water –In water Measure the weight of the water displaced

12. Buoyancy, Pressure and Flight 1. Measuring and defining pushes and pulls on floaters and sinkers. 2. Investigating what determines whether an object floats or sinks. 3. Investigating pressure and how gases and liquids exert force? 4. Exploring how barometers and airplanes work using the concept of pressure. 5. Projects

13. Exploring Gases with a Syringe Explore the behavior of a glass syringe –Tight seal –Low friction What happens when you push or pull on the piston when you plug the end of the syringe Identify forces on the piston

14. Syringe Machine Explore the connection between force, pressure and area Kinesthetic and surprising! Simple model for hydraulic and pneumatic systems

15. Buoyancy, Pressure and Flight 1. Measuring and defining pushes and pulls on floaters and sinkers. 2. Investigating what determines whether an object floats or sinks. 3. Investigating pressure and how gases and liquids exert force? 4. Exploring how barometers and airplanes work using the concept of pressure. 5. Projects

16. Projects: Adjusting Buoyancy Are fish floaters or sinkers? Students developed a model fish with controllable buoyancy

17. Workshops Summer Workshop –July 7-12, 2002 –Application Deadline: March 15, 2002 Half day workshop at Summer 2002 AAPT meeting in Boise, ID http://physics.dickinson.edu/EiPWkshp or oliver@dickinson.edu http://physics.dickinson.edu/EiPWkshp

18. The End Contact Info: Kerry Browne brownek@dickinson.edu

19. Grading Scheme Projects40% Examinations30% Homework10% Activity Guide10% Class Participation10%

20. Projects Adjusting buoyancy Sailing Airplane Wings Testing the legend of Archimedes Measuring the variation of air pressure with altitude

21. Buoyancy, Pressure and Flight