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[Phys-L] integrated science



On 12/19/2013 09:38 AM, Anthony Lapinski wrote:

I wish math could be revolutionized to
include practical applications of what is being taught.

That's an excellent idea. Do not let go of that idea.
Sometimes this goes by the name of integrated science.
The science motivates the math. The math explains the
science.

These ideas recently (well, it's been ongoing) came up at our school, and
we plan to meet with the math department to share ideas, what kids
struggle with, when math topics are taught, etc. Science people are all
ready. Not sure the math people feel the same...

It's tricky. There are several angles to consider:
a) Integrated science is in the best interests of the students.
b) In the long run, in some ways it's better for the teachers
but in some ways it's more bother:
++ It helps with the motivations.
-- OTOH it requires teachers to know stuff outside their specialty.
c) In the short run, the transition creates lots of disruption
and lots of extra work for the teachers.
d) There is a dearth of suitable textbooks. This is a problem
in the short run, and who knows how long it will persist.
e) In those rare situations where there is meaningful school
choice, integrated science is a selling point, because students
like it. This tends to get the administration on board real fast.

Just saying "this is in the best interests of the students" is
fine as far as it goes, but teachers are people too, and their
needs must be taken into account.

Top-notch schools have a better chance of pulling this off,
because the teachers are already overqualified and there are
a few extra resources to throw around to help smooth the
transition. So this is yet another way in which the good
schools get better and the struggling schools get left behind.

Even in the best of situations there is a ton of institutional
politics that needs to be done. It starts with basic questions
such as who's in charge of the integrated program, who bears the
cost of the transition effort, and so on. These are not science
questions. Physics is hard, but politics is hard, too ... and
it needs to be done right, and it has to be done early on, if
the program is to have any chance of success.

we plan to meet with the math department to share ideas,

My style is to do a lot of preparation for meetings. Suggestion:
it would be great if the physics guys would skim the math text,
and the math guys would skim the physics text, in preparation
for the meeting. Maybe skim, or maybe pick a chapter and look
at it closely. Think about the cross-disciplinary possibilities.

Better yet, also have the math guys sit in on a physics class and
vice versa. Yeah, I know this costs a fortune. This is part of
the transition cost. Plan for it. It's worth it in the long run.

You can google for more information:
https://www.google.com/search?q=%22high+school%22+%22integrated+science%22