Mathematics & Science Institute 2007

July 23-25, 2007

Physics

the mathematical description of physical phenomena covers events inside the nucleus of an atom to the interaction of clusters of galaxies. The following sessions center upon topics that pertain to this important subject. Note that when possible presenters have indicated the typical middle, secondary, or college level courses that their work is germain to. Note that morning sessions run from 9:00 until 10:50 am and afternoon sessions from 1:00 until 2:50 pm.

Physics Sessions

Monday, July 23, 2007, Morning Sessions

[Session #10] Teaching Problem-Solving Skills in Physics Classroom I
(Linked to sessions #11 and #12)

This course is for those physics teachers who enjoy problem solving and would like their students to feel the same. Activities include individual and small-group problem solving, discussions about pedagogy of problem solving and its role in teaching physics. We will solve many problems from various sources, including my book Challenging Problems for Physics and my column of challenges in The Physics Teacher. You will receive a supply of great physics puzzles to bring home.
Courses of Interest: High School and beyond
Leader: Boris Korsunsky, (bio), Weston High School, Weston, MA


Monday, July 23, 2007, Afternoon Sessions

[Session #7] Physics for Math Teachers I
(Linked to sessions #8 and #9)

Historically, the basis for a good deal of secondary mathematics stems from the development of physics. In fact, Isaac Newton invented the Calculus in order to solve problems relating to the gravitational force produced by extended bodies in space (namely, the Earth). Our focus here is very basic. Participants will gain a conceptual and mathematical understanding of the physics used in the secondary curriculum. The course is a basic physics college class with mathematics teachers in mind. The emphasis is on problem solving not laboratory work. No previous physics education is necessary. If you had physics a long time ago and remember little to nothing or have never had a physics class, this is for you! Stress level for this class is rated as ZERO! Knowledge of a TI graphing calculator is helpful but not necessary.
Topics include:
Day 1: Measurement and uncertainty, kinematics in one dimension
Day 2: Kinematics in two dimensions and dynamics
Day 3: More on dynamics, circular motion, Kepler’s three Laws and Newton’s Universal Law of Gravity
Courses of Interest: High School and beyond
Leader: Ira Nirenberg, (bio), University of Chicago Math & Science School


Tuesday, July 24, 2007, Morning Sessions

[Session #11] Teaching Problem-Solving Skills in Physics Classroom II
(Linked to sessions #10 and #12)

This course is for those physics teachers who enjoy problem solving and would like their students to feel the same. Activities include individual and small-group problem solving, discussions about pedagogy of problem solving and its role in teaching physics. We will solve many problems from various sources, including my book Challenging Problems for Physics and my column of challenges in The Physics Teacher. You will receive a supply of great physics puzzles to bring home.
Courses of Interest: High School and beyond
Leader: Boris Korsunsky, (bio), Weston High School, Weston, MA


Tuesday, July 24, 2007, Afternoon Sessions

[Session #8] Physics for Math Teachers II
(Linked to sessions #7 and #9)

Historically, the basis for a good deal of secondary mathematics stems from the development of physics. In fact, Isaac Newton invented the Calculus in order to solve problems relating to the gravitational force produced by extended bodies in space (namely, the Earth). Our focus here is very basic. Participants will gain a conceptual and mathematical understanding of the physics used in the secondary curriculum. The course is a basic physics college class with mathematics teachers in mind. The emphasis is on problem solving not laboratory work. No previous physics education is necessary. If you had physics a long time ago and remember little to nothing or have never had a physics class, this is for you! Stress level for this class is rated as ZERO! Knowledge of a TI graphing calculator is helpful but not necessary.
Topics include:
Day 1: Measurement and uncertainty, kinematics in one dimension
Day 2: Kinematics in two dimensions and dynamics
Day 3: More on dynamics, circular motion, Kepler’s three Laws and Newton’s Universal Law of Gravity
Courses of Interest: High School and beyond
Leader: Ira Nirenberg, (bio), University of Chicago Math & Science School

[Session #27] What’s New from Texas Instruments?
Description: Come see what’s new from TI! In this session, you’ll discover new technology, resources, and activities for your classroom. This session is appropriate for secondary math and science teachers. No experience needed!
Courses of Interest:Geometry
Leader: Ellen Johnston, (bio), Texas Instruments


Wednesday, July 25, 2007, Morning Sessions

[Session #12] Teaching Problem-Solving Skills in Physics Classroom III
(Linked to sessions #10 and #11)

This course is for those physics teachers who enjoy problem solving and would like their students to feel the same. Activities include individual and small-group problem solving, discussions about pedagogy of problem solving and its role in teaching physics. We will solve many problems from various sources, including my book Challenging Problems for Physics and my column of challenges in The Physics Teacher. You will receive a supply of great physics puzzles to bring home.
Courses of Interest: High School and beyond
Leader: Boris Korsunsky, (bio), Weston High School, Weston, MA


Wednesday, July 25, 2007, Afternoon Sessions

[Session #9] Physics for Math Teachers III
(Linked to sessions #7 and #8)

Historically, the basis for a good deal of secondary mathematics stems from the development of physics. In fact, Isaac Newton invented the Calculus in order to solve problems relating to the gravitational force produced by extended bodies in space (namely, the Earth). Our focus here is very basic. Participants will gain a conceptual and mathematical understanding of the physics used in the secondary curriculum. The course is a basic physics college class with mathematics teachers in mind. The emphasis is on problem solving not laboratory work. No previous physics education is necessary. If you had physics a long time ago and remember little to nothing or have never had a physics class, this is for you! Stress level for this class is rated as ZERO! Knowledge of a TI graphing calculator is helpful but not necessary.
Topics include:
Day 1: Measurement and uncertainty, kinematics in one dimension
Day 2: Kinematics in two dimensions and dynamics
Day 3: More on dynamics, circular motion, Kepler’s three Laws and Newton’s Universal Law of Gravity
Courses of Interest: High School and beyond
Leader: Ira Nirenberg, (bio), University of Chicago Math & Science School


Physics Presenters

Boris Korsunsky holds graduate degrees from Moscow colleges and a doctorate from Harvard Graduate School of Education. He has been teaching physics since 1986. In his free time, Boris wrote several articles on problem solving, two books of problems and several thousand problems. In 1996-97, he served as a coach of the US Physics Team. Since 2001, Boris has been authoring the column of Physics Challenges in The Physics Teacher. Boris has presented workshops for teachers in the US and abroad since 1997. His sessions: #10, #11, #12

Ira Nirenberg taught physics, mathematics, and astronomy at Benjamin Franklin High School in New Orleans, one of the top public schools in the country for twenty years. Currently, he is teaching physics at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. He has a Masters degree in physics with a strong mathematics background and is a certified regular and gifted teacher in mathematics and physics. He worked six years for Shell Oil Company as an Exploration Geophysicist before being charmed into teaching. During the last seven years he has worked with middle school teachers using materials on fraction mathematics he developed in 1999. Ira has authored two books on mathematics: Living with Math: Making Healthy Decisions for Yourself and the Earth and The Fraction ThinkBook with Gridmatics. To read Living with Math on line, go to: http://www.ontele.com/ His sessions: #7, #8, #9
Ellen Johnston taught junior high mathematics for 14 years in Ft. Smith , AR and then worked as a secondary Mathematics Specialist for Arkansas Department of Education. She served on development teams for T3 (Teachers Teaching with Technology) Institutes and served as a T3 instructor until leaving the classroom in 2000. She has co-authored TI EXPLORATIONS™ books such as Discovering Math with the TI-73, Data Collection Activities for the Middle Grades with the TI-73, CBL and CBR, Shaping Middle School Mathematics: Activities for Geoboard and the TI-73, and part of the T3 Teaching Algebra using the TI-83 Plus Online Professional Development course. Currently, she works as an Educational Technology Consultant (ETC) for Texas Instruments serving the states of Arkansas , Louisiana , Mississippi and Missouri. She holds a BS in Mathematics from the College of the Ozarks and a MS in Secondary Education with an emphasis in Secondary mathematics. Her sessions: #27