1. Physics-160 SECTION 001 Physics and Astronomy for Elementary School Teachers 3 credit hours MWF 9am - 10:50am Dr. Robert Fersch (instructor) Prof. Joseph Straley (developer of curriculum; observer) Brian Ray (lab/teaching assistant)

2. COURSE DESCRIPTION: What is this course? This course is a survey of the concepts of physics through hands-on activities and guided group discussion What exactly is physics? Physics consists of “laws” and “theories” that describe and predict the behavior of the universe around us

3. TOPICS: ELECTRICITY Voltage, Current and Power Series and Parallel Circuits How does electricity travel?

4. TOPICS: MOTION (MECHANICS) Force, work, energy, power Velocity and acceleration Weight and mass Gravity Friction Potential and kinetic energy

5. TOPICS: LIGHT AND WAVES Wavelength and frequency Reflection and refraction Lenses and mirrors Shadows Image formation

6. TOPICS: TEMPERATURE (THERMAL ENERGY) Heat and temperature How does heat travel? Heat as a form of energy

7. TOPICS: MAGNETISM Magnetic fields Magnetic forces Relationship between electricity and magnetism

8. TOPICS: THE SUN AND MOON Causes of seasons Phases of the moon Rotation Gravity and Orbits Your group will be assigned segments of 2-3 days to observe the moon, record data and report back to the class *(throughout semester) Visit to MacAdam Student Observatory ?? (may be required)

9. WHY IS THIS CLASS IMPORTANT? One day (soon!) you will be in a classroom teaching physical science - you need the knowledge! You need ideas and activities to make physics interesting to future students (you might inspire a future scientist or engineer or electrician or architect or astronomer or....) SCIENTIFIC LITERACY - elementary & middle school teachers need to be well- rounded (your students’ future interests are not known yet!)

10. ATTENDANCE: - Attendance is mandatory (your group depends on you!) - ALL missed class sessions MUST be made up - READ ATTENDANCE POLICY IN SYLLABUS LABORATORY: - Lab groups of 4 (where possible); shifted after each exam - CHECKS ( ✓ ) required occasionally - Last (yellow) lab page handed in (1 per group) - SAFETY IS ESSENTIAL (please read)

11. COURSE MATERIAL: - 3-ring Notebook - Simple calculator - Your ENTHUSIASTIC MIND! GRADING: 10% : CLOSED BOOK quizzes each Wed. 30% : Lab discussion questions, homework, moon observations, etc. 40% : OPEN BOOK tests (4 total) 20% : OPEN BOOK final exam COURSE EVALUATION: mandatory, worth 1 lab discussion grade (see syllabus)

12. OTHER CONCERNS & DETAILS: - Disability Resource Center available - Academic Integrity (be aware of your rights and responsibilities) - TENTATIVE schedule is on the last page of syllabus; this is subject to change class presentation materials will be available at http://www.pa.uky.edu/~fersch/

13. NEVER BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP! Concepts of Physics can be VERY difficult - be PATIENT Never say “I’m too dumb to do this”, even in jest Don’t rush through lab exercises; use the full class period! Answer all lab questions in complete sentences, show your work, and express your answers clearly.

15. TODAY’S OUTCOMES: - Review Syllabus and Course Objectives ✓ - Observation of the Sun and drawing of a sun diagram (SUN AND MOON) - Familiarity with elements of basic circuits and understanding of what is needed to make an electric current (ELECTRICITY)