This guide, developed for the physics 200, 300 program in Manitoba, is designed to articulate with previous science courses; provide concepts, processes, and skills which will enable students to continue in physics-related areas; and relate physics to practical applications in everyday life. It includes a program overview (with program goals and…

This is the syllabus of a course that explores the technology of nuclear weapons and nuclear energy for electric power generation, and considers some problems of nuclear weapons proliferation and technical alternatives. It provides a course description, a course outline, a list of required readings, and information on the films shown in the…

This document contains a student guide and a teacher guide on the topic of waves. The investigation includes three activities which lead students to an understanding of how waves are formed and how they move in water. Activity A introduces students to the parts of a wave. A demonstration using a stream table leads them to discover different…

This document focuses on evidence from problem solving case studies which indicate that analogy, extreme case analogies, and physical intuition can play an important role as forms of nonformal reasoning in scientific thinking. Two examples of nonformal reasoning are examined in greater detail from 10 case studies of "expert" problem solving.…

Because of the high rate of failure of engineering students in a required engineering physics course at the University of Texas at Austin, College Board Achievement Test (CBAT) scores in Mathematics Level 1 for 537 students enrolled in the course were compared with their physics grades. Performance on the mathematics section of the Scholastic…

From 1968 to 1970, three separate studies of North Carolina science teachers were conducted in the areas of biology (N=177), chemistry (N=101), and physics (N=71). The three studies shared three major purposes, to determine: the academic preparation of the science teachers being investigated, (2) the relationship between the level of academic…

One of the most striking developments in understanding science learning has been the discovery of the extent and persistence of the naive conceptions about the natural world students bring with them to the classroom. In physics and other sciences, students (even those who do well on textbook problems) often do not apply principles they have…

Students have well-formed but incorrect theories of simple motion. As children, they interpret many phenomena related to motion before encountering any formal science education. Since most adults have misconceptions, children's questions are not answered correctly, so the misconceptions persist. Thus, every science teacher must face the prospect…

Data from national and local studies have shown declines: (1) in the quality and quantity of mathematics and science instruction over the past 20 years; (2) in student enrollment in these subjects; (3) in student scores on standardized mathematics and science tests; and (4) in course offerings and enrollment in such foreign languages as German.…

This guidebook consists of 11 chapters. Chapter 1 provides information on organizing a physics course, considering such topics as types of physics programs, laboratory work, curriculum selection, and computers/calculators. Chapters 2 to 11 focus, respectively, on the topic areas of forces, motion, dynamics, energy, heat, the atomic structure of…

Since the major causes of accidents are carelessness and a negative or apathetic attitude towards safety, this guide was developed to facilitate safe, stimulating science laboratory activities by providing both general and specific safety information presented in 12 sections. Subject areas considered in these sections include: 1)…

This second in a series of eight modules for a course titled Metrology dscribes fixed gages, dividers, calipers, vernier and dial calipers, and micrometers. The module follows a typical format that includes the following sections: (l) introduction, (2) module prerequisites, (3) objectives, (4) notes to instructor/student, (5) subject matter, (6)…

This third in a series of eight modules for a course titled Metrology describes gage blocks and mechanical and electronic comparators. The module follows a typical format that includes the following sections: (1) introduction, (2) module prerequisites, (3) objectives, (4) notes to instructor/student, (5) subject matter, (6) materials needed, (7)…

This sixth in a series of eight modules for a course titled Metrology describes the principles on which calibration programs are developed, no matter which instruments are included in the calibration program. The module follows a typical format that includes the following sections: (1) introduction, (2) module prerequisites, (3) objectives, (4)…