The presentation discusses capstone experimental projects designed for senior students majoring in Engineering Physics at Delaware State University. In this capstone experience, students complete a total of ten short experimental projects in two semesters from a repository of twenty laboratories, which include experiments in electrical circuitry, spectroscopy, modern physics, thermodynamics,...
You have likely come into contact with many students who have learning differences - some slight, some moderate, and some severe. I currently teach at a school that focuses on the teaching of students with dyslexia and related language-based learning differences and I see all sorts of issues among college-bound high school students. In this talk, I wish to address some of the things you may...
The free-body diagram of a unicycle pedaled across level ground is analyzed, showing that riders must tilt their bodies into the direction of the acceleration. A comparison is made with an unpowered round object rolling without slipping up or down an inclined plane. A Newtonian analysis predicts an acceleration of the unicycle as a function of the tilt angle that is in good agreement with...
The Heliophysics Science Division at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) is calling October 2023 through December 2024 the Heliophysics Big Year (HBY). Learn about heliophysics, and how you can use the Community Coordinated Modeling Center’s (CCMC’s) tools to engage with the events from the annular eclipse from last October, this upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8th, and Parker Solar...
Engineering challenges of the 21st century will continue to need science majors who can think creatively. If young people are to become adepts in science, they must be taught how to interpret for themselves. This presentation shares the challenges and alternatives to be proficient at teaching physics education from an engineer's perspective. The main challenges identified include student...
This presentation would delve into the fascinating world of gecko locomotion, a topic that captivates both biologists and physicists alike. The remarkable ability of geckos to scale vertical surfaces and even traverse ceilings has long intrigued scientists, leading to groundbreaking insights at the intersection of biology and physics. Central to this ability are the billions of nano-sized...
This talk documents an attempt to use AI text-generation tools for pedagogical purposes in an introductory physics course. In a PHYS 101 (algebra-based introductory mechanics) course at Harford Community College in Fall 2023, the instructor assigned review activities in which students had to analyze AI-generated answers to physics problems and questions, spotting mistakes and distinguishing...
In 1930, Born and Jordan wrote a quantum mechanics textbook. In that work, they used a curious map to convert the harmonic oscillator equations of motion into two linear (uncoupled) first-order equations. When used in classical mechanics, this mapping clearly shows how one should introduce complex numbers into the motion of a harmonic oscillator and how to solve for the position and momentum...
In establishing student-centered learning environments, educators look for ways to prompt student-directed exploration, rich and authentic discourse, and collaborative peer instruction, while eliciting evidence of student learning. The Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER) writing framework can help classrooms normalize effective student-centered science activities. This presentation offers educators...
DOD STEM Resources
The Organization for Physics at Two-Year Colleges (OPTYCs) is an NSF-funded project to bring two-year college physics and astronomy faculty together through professional development and networking opportunities. In this presentation, I highlight two of our cohort-based programs: the New Faculty Development Series, and the DEI Capacity-Building Program. OPTYCs is supported by NSF grant...
The Virginia Science Standards of Learning Revision and Implementation timeline is being revised. This session will provide an update on the revision process. In addition, the VDOE is seeking input from the community on the standards and seeking nominations for individuals who are qualified and available to serve on the Science Standards Revision Committee to review the K-12 Science Standards...
We will discuss two programs that we have been running to introduce students to quantum concepts and the pathways into quantum careers. The Pathways to Quantum Summer Immersion Program introduces high school students to key quantum concepts and the jobs in quantum. The program is an immersive experience that includes a virtual program to build an understanding of key concepts and an in-person...
Although some progress has been made over the last 50 years, physics still has one of the largest gender gaps of the sciences. The gap has been attributed to a variety of causes, including aspects of culture, early exposure to STEM, and gender-based psychologies, but few studies approach this issue centering the perspectives and experiences of women in physics. We focus on the role of family...
In a given physics classroom, the odds are good that at least one student has had a concussion or has a friend who did. Many students participate in sports or activities with a risk of head injury. This problem-based lesson tackles concussion prevention in football and bridges the disciplines of physics and engineering.
Students are challenged to design their own helmet padding using upcycled...
In undergraduate physics laboratory courses, there is new emphasis on engaging students in authentic science learning experiences centering on knowledge-building. Limited research, however, has sufficiently explored the ranges of positioning dynamics around equipment handling roles, particularly in gender and racially diverse groups. This is especially true for the experiences of women of...
Retention of physics and astronomy majors at the University of Delaware has been a long-standing issue. We will describe the course structure that we have adopted for a section of introductory physics dedicated to students in our physics BS, BA, and astronomy BA programs. In addition to implementing specification-based grading, we have also explored the addition of computational physics...
We will show how to construct tracks you can rolls marbles along simply and cheaply. These tracks can be used to demonstrate the tautochrone and brachistochrone.
The Delaware Space Grant Consortium (DESGC) is a multi-institution partnership committed to advancing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. At the college level, DESGC provides fellowships and scholarships to students attending 2-year and 4-year colleges throughout the State and aids in professional development of STEM-related educators. This talk delves into the...
We examine the evolution of the teaching identity of graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) during their first year as they engage in teaching professional development and gain experience in the classroom. This study is part of a larger project that aims to increase active and collaborative learning in Math, Physics, and Computer Science at George Mason University. To prepare and support GTAs,...
The velocity triangle is a graphical construct for solving various problems of the Lorentz
Transform in special relativity. This construct assumes that all matter travels at the speed of
light in four-dimensional space, defining the direction of that travel as the local time axis.
Relative velocity results from a difference of direction, through the Brehme velocity angle beta,
the sine of...
The idea of the Flipped Classroom has been around for many years, but in order for it to be valuable the purpose of the flip must be clearly understood, and the method must be used judiciously. Over-flipping leads instructors and students alike to believe that the entire process is poor pedagogy.
In this talk, I describe the general Flipped Classroom and analyze the parts of the...
A breadboard analog computer was constructed to approximate a solution to the second-order linear differential equations for a sliding block attached to a massless spring, which is attached to a rigid vertical frame. Two cases are considered: (1) with damping and (2) without damping. In both cases, the sliding friction is assumed to be 0. Units were omitted in each equation for clarity. The...
Participants will have an opportunity to hear how NGSS physical standards fit into the K-12 educational system and how it is taught. What are the challenges in Delaware and across our nation in teaching physics. Participants will have a discussion on how we might possibly solve some of these challenges.
This talk explores the role of open access journals in science and physics education, focusing on the importance of publishing for students. Through practical insights and discussions, we will discuss the highlights and benefits of writing for students and the broader scientific community. In addition to discussing the theoretical significance of open access journals in science and physics...
The resistance to change in physical systems shall be demonstrated via some attention grabbing challenges which will include "Bottle and Pencil" where one tries to drop a writing utensil into the neck of a glass bottle while a knitting loop blocks its path and "Breaking Broomstick" which dares to ask if one can break a length of wood in half while its ends are resting horizontally upon a pair...
In this demo, we roll cylindrical objects down a ramp to see which one reaches the bottom first. The speed is determined by how the initial gravitational potential energy is shared between the translational and rotational kinetic energies of the rolling object. The highlight of the demo is the race between Frozen and Thawed cans of orange juice.
This CSAAPT meeting is occurring less than a month before the total solar eclipse that will occur on April 8, 2024. In this presentation, we will describe the fascinating circumstances that will create April's spectacular event. Topics include:
- What is an eclipse?
- Why will the eclipse be so spectacular?
- From where can the eclipse be seen?
- How often do eclipses occur?...
Most people watching a NASCAR race see racecars. Dr. Diandra Leslie-Pelecky sees a science experiment on wheels — and a way to interest more people in physics. She’s gotten behind-the-scenes access to race shops and personnel, driven the 24-degree banking of Texas Motor Speedway, and embedded with a race team. She shows fans how a team cannot win a NASCAR race without mastering math, science...
There is a need to deepen and widen the learning of quantum science in schools. Quantum science is mostly taught in colleges while K-12 students learn quantum science mostly through extracurricular programs. This paper reviews the curriculum and instruction of quantum science courses in K-12 schools. The major findings are discussed in relation to the teaching of quantum science in Virginia.
