ANNOUNCEMENT: MODELING WORKSHOPS
April 22, 2011 update
Modeling Workshops in high school physics, chemistry, and/or physical
science will be held in summer 2011 at 28 sites in 20 states.
These locations will offer workshops: Tempe AZ, Miami FL, Chicago IL,
four cities in Indiana, Ames Iowa, two locations in Kansas, New
Orleans LA, Baton Rouge LA, southern Maine, Detroit MI, Winona MN,
central and southern New Jersey, Albuquerque NM, Buffalo NY, Columbus
OH, Bowling Green OH (NEW SITE!), central PA, northern Pennsylvania,
South Dakota, Tennessee, Dallas TX, Seattle WA, and Oshkosh WI.
A Modeling Workshop in 11th grade biology will be held in Tennessee in July.
Modeling Workshops are peer-led. Content is reorganized around basic
models to increase its structural coherence. Participants are
supplied with a complete set of course materials and work through
activities alternately in the roles of student or teacher, as they
practice techniques of guided inquiry and cooperative learning.
Modeling Instruction is one of two K-12 science programs designated
by the U.S. Department of Education as EXEMPLARY.
Some sites have stipends, usually for in-state teachers.
Graduate credit is available at most sites.
Comments by teachers:
* David Braunschweig (retired; consultant for Vernier Software &
Technology) wrote: "After the first year of teaching using the
modeling method, I wished I had learned about modeling years ago."
* In the one year that I have been modeling, I have seen wonderful results.
* [As a graduate student in physics], I discovered the modeling method
of instruction to be a rigorous approach to physics instruction on
the high school level, and one that is consistent with the way
physicists understand the universe. (Doug Vallette)
* Compared to "traditional" physics teaching, at our school modeling has
created:
(A) Larger enrollment in physics and AP Physics
(B) Higher retention of students majoring in engineering and science when
they go off to college
(C) Greater quantitative analytical skills
(D) Greater quantitative presentation skills
(E) Much higher ability for "future non-science students" to communicate
with science people
(F) No plugging and chugging.
* We have had 3 physics teachers and 5 chemistry teachers enhance
their professional development at your ASU modeling workshops.
Modeling has made a world of difference in our science courses. (Ray
Howanski)