Post on 21-Dec-2015
Explorations in Physics
Enhancing Scientific Literacy for Non-Science Majors w/ Real
World Applications
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
What Determines Buoyant Force?
Define floating and sinking
Buoyant force measured when objects are completely submerged
Size Matters!
Discovering Archimedes principle
Measure the weight of the object– Out of water
– In water
Measure the weight of the water displaced
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
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
Syringe Machine
Explore the connection between force, pressure and area
Kinesthetic and surprising! Simple model for hydraulic
and pneumatic systems
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
Projects: Adjusting Buoyancy
Are fish floaters or sinkers?
Students developed a model fish with controllable buoyancy
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
The End
Contact Info:
Kerry Browne
brownek@dickinson.edu
Grading Scheme
Projects 40%
Examinations 30%
Homework 10%
Activity Guide 10%
Class Participation 10%
Projects
Adjusting buoyancy SailingAirplane WingsTesting the legend of ArchimedesMeasuring the variation of air pressure with
altitude
Buoyancy, Pressure and Flight