Saturday April 12, 2003
1:00-3:00 PM
Workshop A: “Chaos,” Robert Hilborn, Amherst College
This workshop will provide an introduction to nonlinear dynamics and chaos at the introductory physics level. We will make use of simple mathematical models and simple experiments to illustrate the basic physics of this field. We will also talk about ways to bring the excitement of chaos and nonlinear dynamics to a wide range of students in introductory physics.
Workshop B: “The Physics of Sports,” Michael Jabot, SUNY Fredonia & Dorrie Bright, The Holderness School
The physics of sports is an excellent way to bring students to physics since physics is actively done! We will introduce some of the ways that sports can be used in your classroom. A number of “stations” will be set up that involve both the quantitative and qualitative aspects of sports along with an in-depth study on a particular topic.
1:00-2:00 PM
Workshop C: Commercial Workshop by Alberti’s Window : “Capturing Real-World Motions In Three-Dimensions: a New Tool to Create New Curricula for the Study of Motion,” Presenters: Stephen Cremer & Nathan Kimball
We will introduce the Motion Visualizer 3D from Alberti’s Window, the first practical, real-time, 3-dimensional motion detector expressly designed for education. Detecting motion in 3-dimensions opens up new possibilities for understanding and innovative curricula. Students capture a “picture” of the motion, an actual perspective representation of the path of the moving object, and can rotate this 3D graph on the computer screen so as to view it from any direction. Instead of adding conceptual complexity over one-dimensional motion detectors, this process lets students build on their 3D-world experience. They can extract the motion’s components always referring back to the captured “picture”, gaining insight into the meaning of the vector nature of motion. They can then represent these components in the standard 2D-kinematics graphs of position, velocity, or acceleration over time. This tool detects the motion of a brightly colored object, and uses two ordinary video cameras as sensors. It can be set up for small-scale motion used in the laboratory or large-scale motions outdoors, creating new opportunities for the study of the real-world motions of a gymnast’s flip or a juggler’s toss, for instance. We will discuss how this tool can enhance your standards-based physics curricula.
2:00-3:00 PM
Workshop D: Commercial Workshop by Pasco: “New and Hot Items from Pasco.” Presenter: Dave Small
In this workshop we’ll take a quick look at PASCO’s new USB based probes, including the new PowerLink interface that can be connected to a Mac, PC, or Palm. Then we’ll run through a few labs for texts such as Hewitt, Cutnell & Johnson, and Halliday, Resnick, and Walker. These labs are written as an embedded workbook within PASCO’s software, Data Studio. Unlike a lab manual, these labs are easily modified to match the content and methods by which YOU teach, and we’ll show you how easy it is to customize these labs to meet your specific needs and goals. We’ll finish up with sound labs using PASCO’s WavePort software. This software plugin is integrated into Data Studio and it provides simultaneous O-scope and FFT displays of sound. One side of the WavePort software generates single or multiple tones that can be overlaid and independently manipulated in terms of wavelength / period, amplitude, and phase. The other side of WavePort captures sound using the computer’s microphone and displays it as O-scope and FFT displays.
3:00-5:00 PM
Workshop E: “PTRA workshop: Calculators in Physics for Beginners,” Emily James, Brewster Academy
This workshop covers some of the basics about how to use the graphing calculator to enhance teaching physics. The workshop will be hands on with everyone trying along with the presenter (loaner calculators will be available). The focus is on beginners so read the topics covered carefully and see if this workshop is going to be appropriate to your level. The workshop will be done on the TI83 Plus, but should be applicable to any calculator (with the exception of the TI 89 or higher).
Topics:
- concept of each key serving three purposes
- the basics and some spiffy features
- making data tables on the calculator
- making lists of numbers
- doing calculations with lists
- naming lists
- graphing on the calculator
- graphing data
- graphing an equation
- making a best fit line to the data
- graphing that best fit line
- taking data using the calculator and a Lab Pro
- using parametric equations to solve complex projectile motion problems (if time permits)
Workshop F: “A Spread of Physics Spreadsheets,” Daniel Hatten, Western New England College
Using Excel, scroll bars will be created to vary parameters in a spreadsheet, animations will be created via the iteration function (e.g. monkey and hunter) and the solver engine will be used to “best fit” an arbitrary function to a data set. Relaxation methods will be illustrated, time permitting. Some prior spreadsheet experience is desirable.
Workshop G: Commercial Workshop by CPO Science: “Circular Motion and the Looping Coaster, Featuring Handhelds and Probeware.” Presenter: Patsy DeCoster
Preview CPO Science’s new Physics curriculum! Why don’t you fall off of a coaster track when it turns you upside down? Explore circular motion and centripetal acceleration with our new looping coaster track, photogates, and handheld computers.