Re:Toilet bowl physics ???

[Alan Cairns <cairns@astro.washington.edu>]

> Because our counciling department does not balance classes until about
> the third week we have decided to all teach an "essential skills" unit
> for the first two or three weeks. This way a student can move during the
> balancing period without problem.

Roger,

You may want to give Underpinnings a try. This unit was developed by Jim
Minstrell and is a part of the Constructing Physics Understanding project.
It is available on the web at:

http://cpuproject.sdsu.edu/CPU/

go to the Units page and choose Underpinnings.

Jim has put a lot of thought over the years into preparing students for the
study of Physics. This is a work in progress but has a lot of maturity. I
suspect Jim will be modifying this 20 years from now. I'd recommend you
look at the rest of the CPU materials while you are at the site.

When I first saw this material I thought it was too simple for a physics
course but have found greater success for all students using parts of this
material. Most students come in to my course having had 3 years of math (2
years algebra and 1 year geometry) but have never tried to transfer this
learning to something useful. This material is an excellent bridge.

Here is the list of topics in the unit. I have not done 100% of them in the
past though we will be adding some of the material to our 9th grade
Integrated Science course so that all of the material will be used prior to
completion of high school.


Underpinnings: IN SEARCH OF PATTERNS

This is a unit about the Nature of Science and the Processes of Science

1. In Search of Constancy: Defining and Measuring Quantities

individual measurements
operational definitions
units, arbitrary and standard
estimation
sources of variability in data
central tendency
reporting variability (uncertainty)
best value and uncertainty in measurements and in calculations
concept of area, volume, length, and gas, liquid, and fluid

2. In Search of Constancy in Change: Trends, Graphing and Numerical

ordered pairs of data, initial (least value) data point, final data point,
consistent trends
representing sets of ordered pairs(pictures, diagrams, words, graphs,
tables, functions?)
numerical analysis for trends, patterns of change in one quantity with
respect to another
ratio reasoning
graphical analysis for trends, best fit line (or curve), steepness (slope)
translations between representations
concepts of density and =BC

3. In Search of Meaning: Generating Ideas and Explanations

scientific explanation vs. magic
analogical reasoning
observing and wondering (sense and imagination)
distinguishing inferences and opinions from observations
observing systems and subsystems
step by step reasoning from observable evidence to mental models

4. Testing Meaning: Experiments, Evidence, Reasoning, and Mathematical Model=
ing

experimental design
identifying relations between variables
generating questions, conjectures and hypotheses
manipulating one variable and observing others (independent and dependent)
the "fair test", controlling variables
testing hypotheses--prediction and observation
correlation reasoning and "if..,then..." reasoning
evidence to support and evidence to falsify hypothetical ideas
mathematical modeling

5. Applying Meaning: Problem Solving

describing the situation, assumptions, knowns and unknowns
developing a plan, playing qualitatively with the problem and possibly
relevant ideas
implementing plans, following most promising leads
checking solutions, make sense? cost/benefits of different solutions