PHYSICS

Teaching Introductory Physics Using Interactive Teaching
Methods and Computers		 DUE 9653372
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
DATE(S) OF WORKSHOP:		 March 18, 1998
June 21-July 3, 1998		 SITE(S): University of Oregon
Eugene, OR
This two-week faculty seminar is designed to help introductory physics teachers develop pedagogical approaches that enable their students to learn physics using guided inquiry techniques and computer tools to explore "real world" phenomena. The seminar will be offered in the summer of 1998 for 60 invited participants drawn from universities, four-year colleges, community colleges that offer year-long introductory physics courses with laboratories, and high schools. Topics covered will include interactive instructional strategies based on outcomes of educational research; assessment of student learning gains; laboratory design; microcomputer-based and calculator-based laboratory tools; spreadsheet analysis and dynamic graphing; the application of laboratory interfacing and real-time data analysis to laboratories and lecture demonstrations; mathematical modeling; and digital video analysis for the study of motion, heat and temperature, and electrostatics.
CONTACT: Gail Oliver
Department of Physics and Astronomy		 Dickinson College
Box 1773
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: 717-245-1845
Fax: 717-245-1642
E-mail: oliver@dickinson.edu




Undergraduate Education DUE 9653438
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
DATE(S) OF WORKSHOP:		 March 31, 1998
June 15-26, 1998		 SITE(S): Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
This two-week conference will develop materials for teaching introductory physics with an emphasis on conservation laws. The conference, organized by Eric Mazur and Catherine Crouch, funded by the National Science Foundation, and co-sponsored by Harvard University and Prentice Hall, is intended to provide opportunities for faculty interested in excellence in teaching to work together on materials for this new curriculum and also to develop relationships and share ideas. Faculty from two-year colleges, four-year colleges, and universities will be represented at the conference.
CONTACT: Catherine Crouch
Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences		 Harvard University
Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: (617) 495-2854
Fax: (617) 495-9837
E-mail: crouch@fas.harvard.edu




Two-Year College Physics Workshop Project DUE 9554683

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Six weeks before each workshop TITLE(S) AND DATE(S) OF WORKSHOPS: SITE(S):

Implementing Workshop Physics and Microcomputer-Based Laboratories in Mechanics, Sound, and Heat in Introductory Physics
March 12-14, 1998		 Maple Woods Community College
Kansas City, MO
Site Host: Perry Doyle

Constructing and Implementing Effective Microprocomputer Physics Simulations in Introductory Physics Courses (PS)
April 30-May 2, 1998		 Jamestown Community College
Jamestown, NY
Site Host: Marie Plumb

TYC Introductory Physics Confrence III
June 16-20, 1998		 Joliet Junior College
Joliet, IL
Site Host: Curtis Hieggelke

Implementing Modeling, Digital Video Analysis, and Microcomputer-Based Laboratories in Electricity, Magnetism, Optics, and Radiation in Introductory Physics Courses (MBL II)
October 1-3, 1998		 Forsyth Technicial Community College
Winston Salem, NC
Site Host: Robert Tyndall

Building a Better Understanding of Physics and Developing Effective Problem Solving Skills in Introductory Physics courses using Conceptual Exercises and Active Learning Problem Solving (CE/ALPS)
November 5-7, 1998		 Lee College
Baytown, TX
Site Host: Tom O'Kuma

This is the third year of a three-year national program and is a continuation of several successful projects administered by Joliet Junior College and Lee College. In 1998, four workshops will be held, as well as the third Two-Year College Introductory Physics Conference. The four workshops will acquaint participants with the development and implementation of: (1) microcomputer-based laboratories in mechanics and heat; (2) digital video, modeling, and microcomputer-based laboratories in electricity, magnetism, and optics; (3) physics simulations; and (4) active learning problem-solving strategies using conceptual exercises and overview case studies. The fifth workshop will be a working conference on introductory physics and will provide previous workshop participants with an opportunity for sharing, gaining additional experiences, and discussing new developments and technologies. The workshops will be reinforced by a networking system that employs a microcomputer bulletin board system, an Internet access system, and a newsletter. Additional information about this project can be obtained by visiting our web site: http://www.tycphysics.org.
CONTACT: Curtis Hieggelke
Department of Natural Sciences		 Joliet Junior College
1215 Houbolt Road
Joliet, IL 60431-8938
Phone: 815-729-9020, x2371
Fax: 815-773-6671
E-mail: curth@jjc.cc.il.us




Two-Year College Physics Faculty Enhancement Program (PEPTYC) DUE 9752718
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
DATE(S) OF WORKSHOPS:		 March 13, 1998
May 18-29, 1998		 SITE(S): Texas A&M University
College Station, TX

The impact of Two-Year Colleges (TYCs) in the teaching of college level physics is often not appreciated. This is particularly true for students who have been historically at risk. Nationally 47 percent of all minority students are enrolled at TYCs. Most of the students who are trained to enter the technological workplace are trained at TYCs. Historically the opportunities for TYC faculty members to participate in professional development have been limited. This two-year program is designed to serve as a continuing model for the utilization of cooperative relationships between university professors and outstanding TYC physics faculty members working together to provide professional enrichment opportunities for TYC physics faculty members from across the United States.

The program focuses on the recent developments in physics research, innovative physics teaching methods and successful techniques for recruiting local minority students into two year college science and engineering programs. The program includes an annual May Institute at Texas A&M University, biannual academic year follow-up workshops, local projects and staff visits to the 18 participants from across the United States.

CONTACT: Dr. Robert Beck Clark
Department of Physics		 Texas A&M University
College Station, TX 77843-4242
Phone: 409 845-3332
Fax: 409-845-2590
E-mail: rbc@tamu.edu




Powerful Ideas in Physical Science: A Model Course DUE 9554625
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
DATE(S) OF WORKSHOP: 		April 15, 1998
May 25-June 5, 1998		 SITE(S): Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA
This two-week program is designed for faculty members who teach physical science to prospective elementary teachers and nonscience majors. Features of this program include observing the course in action; trying out activities from the model; and participating in seminars and discussions. All participants will receive a Powerful Ideas in Physical Science instructor's manual and a site license to copy the materials.

Applications are available at http://www.aapt.org/programs/powersum1998.html, or from AAPT, One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD, Phone: 301-209-3300

CONTACT: Donald F. Kirwan
Department of Physics and Astronomy		 Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Phone: 504-388-8400
Fax: 504-388-5855
E-mail:kirwan@rouge.phys.lsu.edu




Innovative Physics Experiments Workshop for Beginning
College Faculty 		DUE 9752701
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
DATE(S) OF WORKSHOP: 		June 30, 1998
August 3-9, 1998		 SITE(S): Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem, NC

A week-long workshop will be held to develop innovative and inexpensive physics experiments and physics-at-home activities for Freshman-level General Physics courses. Most U.S. universities offer such courses and generally these courses have large enrollments. In order to reduce the cost of offering such courses and to provide innovative, hands-on laboratory experiments and home activities, 25 such exercises have been developed by 25 physics faculty members from HBCUs in the Southeastern U.S. Based on the positive feedback from earlier workshops, the present workshop will develop, test, evaluate, and disseminate 25 additional innovative, hands-on physics experiments and home activities to 25 beginning physics faculty from other two-year and four-year colleges and universities. Preferences will be given to faculty with less than five years teaching experience.

All 50 innovative physics experiments (25 old and 25 new) will be field tested by the workshop participants. Each participant will select at least ten experiments for field testing and evaluation in his/her courses. The results of field testing and evaluations will be compiled by the director. All experiments will be refined and ranked by the participants in numerical order and the top ten experiments will be presented at AAPT meetings by their originators and developers. All experiments will be stored on electronic media and compiled into a book format. Each participant will receive copies of the experiments in both formats and a complete kit to test the experiments.

CONTACT: Dr. Deva D. Sharma
Physical Science Department 		Winston-Salem State University
P.O. Box 19413
Winston-Salem, NC 27110
Phone: 910-750-2544
Fax: 910-750-2549
E-mail: sharmad@wssul.adp.wssu.edu