Projects in High School Physics

National Science Teachers AssociationMarch 31, 2012

Borislaw Bilash & Elise Burns

Why Do Projects?

FunRigorousComplexKinestheticCompetitive

CreateApplyEngineerAnalyzeCooperate

Types of Projects

Culminating

Integrated (PBL)

Independent Origin

Nearly any project can be adapted to use in a different manner with minor changes.

Finding the BalanceWhat is the purpose of the project? How rigorous do you want the project to be?Can a “fun” project be academically demanding and a good learning tool? When is a digression from the curriculum appropriate?

The Engineering Design Cycle

Goal

Inputs

Process

Outputs

Feedback

Advance DecisionsWhere will the work get done?What is the timetable?What are the major checkpoints that the students must pass?How much teacher supervision will there be along the way?How will you hold the students accountable along the way?Who supplies the materials?

CollaborationDo students work individually, in pairs, or in groups?Do they have clearly designated roles or freeform group?How are individuals held accountable to their group? What are the consequences of not participating fully?How are individuals held accountable for the material?How do I (try to) make sure all students pull their own weight?Who makes the groups?

Grading the Project: The Almighty Rubric

What is the difference between a checklist and a rubric?When do the students receive the rubric?What goes into the rubric?How long should the rubric be?How can I use a rubric to assess group work?How can students use the rubric most effectively?

Conservation of Energy Movies

Mobiles Physics of Art - Art of Physics

Catapults & Trebuchets

Build & Play an Instrument

Egg Drop

Rockets

More Ideas for Culminating Projects…

Driver’s Education

Sportscast Podcast or Video

Paper Roller Coaster

Car Crash Analysis

More Ideas for PBL…

Bridges

Towers

Rube Goldberg

Gordorama

Egg Drop

Sun Dog

More Design Projects…

Parachutes

Rockets

Egg Drop

Metric Monsters

More origin projects…