Physics for Elementary and Middle School Teachers - Constructing an Understanding of Physics

Project Title: Physics for Elementary and Middle School Teachers – Constructing an Understanding of Physics

Project Director:
Dr. Robert Hegarty
Dr. Nancy Donaldson

Lead Institution: Rockhurst University

Duration of Project: Three years

Grade Level Focus: 4-8

Credit Hours to be Provided: 4 graduate credit hours

Project Summary:
Physics for Elementary and Middle School Teachers -- Constructing an Understanding of Physics will consist of summer 2006, 2007 and 2008 workshops for grades 4 -- 8 science and math teachers with five implementation workshops during each subsequent academic year. The primary goals of the three-year project are: 1) to strengthen teachers' conceptual understanding of physical principles (Energy, Force and Motion in Year 1; Energy, Magnetism and Current Electricity in Year 2; Energy, Heat and Light in Year 3) and the associated mathematical concepts and practices (fractions, proportions, linear vs. nonlinear functions, graphing, slope); 2) to assist teachers in developing pedagogical skills to teach these concepts by implementing inquiry-based, hands-on science and math curricula; and 3) to augment elementary and middle school students' abilities in science and math as measured through student assessment and standardized tests. Project goals will be realized through collaborative efforts among the physics and science education departments of Rockhurst, the administrators, principals, instructional coaches of targeted school districts, and both in-class and pre-service teachers.

Teachers will work in teams in the summer workshops to conduct experiments that merge hands-on, guided inquiry instruction with computer technology. Classroom implementation of the content and pedagogy learned will be supported through 1) the teachers' development of standard-based curriculum modules using project pedagogy and content, 2) site visits by project staff to collaborative schools during the academic year to support the workshop objectives and aid in the use of assessment data to monitor the effectiveness of instruction, and 3) involvement by the targeted schools' principals and administrators to support educational change with the goal of improving student achievement. Pre-service science teacher preparation will be strengthened as pre-service teachers participate in the workshop, learn content through the constructivist pedagogy, and collaborate with in-class teachers to develop curriculum modules and assist in classroom implementation.