Conceptual Physics Summer Institute 2021: July 24-25, or July 31-Aug 1

All done for the conceptual physics institute in 2021!  I'll probably schedule another in summer 2022.  Do please let me know if you have a preferred weekend!  (Or if you'd be interested in something over winter break...) -- Greg

Folks, I'm already teaching several AP summer institutes - see the left-hand sidebar for details.  But what if you are looking for physics professional development that is NOT aimed at college-level physics?  I mean, I meet so many of you each year who teach on-level, honors, college-prep, Regents... to all ages, to all varieties of student.  And in my personal mission to spread physics knowledge to as wide an audience as possible, these sub-college courses represent a critical first point of contact with our discipline.  I focus as much energy on my conceptual course as on my AP course each year.  So I'd like to focus some of my summer professional development expertise on those who teach these first-level courses.

We did this last year, in 2020.  See the comments in this post for participant reviews.  They all say, this institute was an amazing, friendly, and productive experience.

I'm offering a two-day institute on July 24-25, or July 31-Aug 1.  These will be online, broadcasting via Zoom from my lab.  Skip past the institute description for fees and registration instructions.  Each weekend will be limited to the first 30 who sign up.  The daily agenda is included here at the bottom of the page.

Jacobs Physics

Conceptual Physics Institute Description
July 24-25 2021 or July 31-Aug 1 2021

All levels of high school physics can be taught conceptually – where verbal and experimental reasoning is prioritized over mathematical problem solving.  While mathematics are used extensively, they are used as a tool to create predictions about the workings of the natural world.  Whether you teach “general”, “on-level”, “honors”, “Regents”, or “college-prep” physics, a conceptual approach can be adapted to most any introductory physics topic – and to most any state or district standards. 

In our institute, we will discuss, practice, and share methods of teaching common physics content in a conceptual style.  I will be broadcasting from my laboratory via zoom.  Time will be devoted to experimental methods that are especially useful at the sub-college level; to course planning on a year-long and a unit basis; and to best-practices physics pedagogy, which differs substantially from pedagogy in other disciplines.

Participants will be given a full-year’s set of classroom-ready materials, including fact sheets, in-class and laboratory activities, assessments, and planning documents.  More importantly, through their interactions with the instructor and with their colleagues, participants will develop skills and ideas for adapting these materials to their specific classroom environment.  Those attending will also earn a certificate indicating their participation in 15 hours of physics professional development.

 

How much does it cost:  $200 for the weekend.  The schedule of events is listed below.

How do I register?
(1) Click the "donate" button below (or in the left column of the blog).  It will take you to paypal.
(2) Enter $200.00 as the donation amount, either through paypal or credit card
(3) Click "Add special instructions to seller" or "Add a note"
(4) In the note, please include your name, preferred contact email, and institution
(5) Fill in payment info and click "donate now"

That's all - I'll be back to you within a day or two confirming your registration, and sending you links to the classroom-ready materials.

Cancelation issues: If you register then can't attend, contact me via email.  As long as I can replace your spot, I'll send a full refund; if I can't replace your spot, I'll refund all but $25.

Schedule: Each session will include both whole-group presentation/discussion, and breakout groups for activities.  In between sessions and during breaks, Greg will be available for informal conversation. 

Saturday 24 July or 31 July (all times eastern time)

10:00                 Introductions

                        What does “conceptual” mean – defining levels of physics

Different levels of physics: developing your program

                        Different levels of physics: developing your resources

11:30               Eight styles of physics laboratory activities

            Including the two best-adapted for conceptual physics

My first day activity – reflection experiment

My first group laboratory experiment – refraction

1:00-1:30    break

1:30               Sequencing your course

Starting the year right: the most important physics teaching skill

Justifying answers with facts

Simple ray diagrams for optics in conceptual physics

Justifying answers with equations

In-class laboratory exercises: circuits

                       

3:00                 The daily “quiz”

Tests and quizzes, targeted to different levels

                        Other sorts of assessment

                        Preparing for the trimester/semester exam

                        Adapting a conceptual course to external standards

                        In-class laboratory exercises: motion graphs

Afternoon – asynchronous

                        Read through the shared files

                        Read through the Jacobs Physics blog

                        Adapt to your district or state standards

                        Bring questions and ideas for the social or for Sunday

7:30                 Optional Zoom social: Dinner, dessert, drinks, and conversation.  BYOB, obviously. 

Sunday 25 July or 1 August 

10:00                 Building and creating experiments with whatever you’ve got

                        Developing your own in-class lab exercises

                        Using or substituting inexpensive equipment

                        In-class laboratory exercises: direction of force and motion

11:30               Methods to speed your grading

                        In-class laboratory exercises: forces in 2-d

                        In-class laboratory exercises: motion in 2-d

                       

1:00-1:30    break

1:30               The final third of the year – once skills are built

                        How I teach impulse/momentum

                        Energy bar charts at the conceptual level      

                        Laboratory exercises with harmonic motion

                       

3:00                 Sharing: Any Other Demos

Online simulations:

                                    The Physics Classroom

The Physics Aviary

                                    Vernier’s Pivot Interactives

                        Ending the year: the Physics Fight