Blocks are not just for play! In this article, Nicole Andrews describes observing the interactions of three young boys enthusiastically engaged in the kindergarten block center of their classroom, using blocks in a building project that displayed their ability to use critical thinking skills, physics exploration, and the development of language…

After the success of a course on cryptography for a general audience, based on Simon Singh's "The Code Book" [49], I decided to try again and create a mathematics course for a general audience based on "The Physics of Star Trek" by Lawrence Krauss [32]. This article looks at the challenges of designing a physics-based mathematics course "from…

The idea of teaching physics to ninth-graders, known as "Physics First," has become more and more popular among physics educators in this country. However, introducing ninth-grade physics has been an uphill battle; such a change has a major impact on the students, parents, teachers, and the school administration. Switching to Physics First affects…

Funded by innovative programs at the National Science Foundation and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Richmond faculty in biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and computer science teamed up to offer first- and second-year students the opportunity to contribute to vibrant, interdisciplinary research projects. The result was…

In this paper we describe the recent changes to the curriculum of the second year practical laboratory course in the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Nottingham. In particular, we describe how Matlab has been implemented as a teaching tool and discuss both its pedagogical advantages and disadvantages in teaching undergraduate…

This document describes methods for designing and building two types of rockets--rockets from paper and rockets from bottles. Devices used for measuring the heights that the rockets obtain are also discussed. (KHR)

Discussed are changes made in the physics curriculum of the Danish Gymnasium. Presents a table showing the curriculum for science and language tracks. Describes five dimensions of physics and intermediate and high level courses. (YP)

Examines various issues related to the establishment of a core of physics studies at 16+ and 18+. Indicates that a core physics syllabus should be concerned with phenomena, theory, models, and applications and not with such topics as the use of a U tube manometer. (JN)

Describes a curriculum development project in which the Science Education Center of the University of Oklahoma and the science department of Norman (Oklahoma) High School prepared and classroom tested complete courses in biology, chemistry, and physics using the learning cycle principles of exploration, conceptual invention, and discovery. (JN)

Discusses the notion of a musician's workstation and a curriculum for teaching musicians about the use of computers in music. Explains that the curriculum includes elements of physics and psychoacoustics, recording arts and sciences, the philosophy of technology and the musical arts, analog and digital electronic music, ergonomics, and computer…

Describes: (1) the structure of a data transmission source, carrier, and receiver; (2) a quantitative measure for the amount of data, followed by some quantitative examples of data transmission processes; (3) the concept of data current; (4) data containers; and (5) how this information can be used to structure physics courses. (JN)

Examines the extent to which technology and applied physics should be included in introductory physics courses. Areas explored include the meaning of applied physics, the nature of pure and applied physics, and applied physics as viewed by a scientist, an educator, and society. Implications for the physics curriculum are addressed. (JN)

Examines career choices for students completing secondary physics in England and suggests that only one-fourth aim for careers with a direct involvement in physics. Indicates that changes are needed because the current course remains "physics by physicists for physicists" and does not develop student understanding and emphasize practical…

Nuclear arms education is being addressed in many academic disciplines and can be approached from many viewpoints. Rationale, ethical issues, instructional strategies, European views, and course materials are considered. A syllabus and references are also included for a course titled "Physics of Nuclear Arms and Nuclear War." (DH)

Explains the "Overview-Case Study Method" for teaching high school physics which has evolved from the author's experience/success with a program in which 90 percent of the high school's students take physics as an elective. Areas considered include methods, case studies, textbooks, multilevel physics, qualitative physics, and real-life…