Syllabus
PHYS 501 (1 credit)
Physical Science by Inquiry: Magnets, Circuits, and Motors

Summer 2007
Summer 2007 Workshops | Home

Course Description:
Through an intensive inquiry based process involving hands-on investigation and discussion, in-service teachers will increase their content knowledge and ability to apply inquiry-based methods of teaching physical science with focus on grades 3-8. Topics covered include series and parallel circuits, electric current, and the use of electromagnets in devices.

Faculty Instructors
Days 1 and 2 :

Dr. Hank Yochum
Marcia Yochum
Associate Professor, Director of Engineering
Physics Teacher
Guion Science Center
Science Department
Department of Physics and Engineering
Virginia Episcopal School
Sweet Briar College
Lynchburg, VA
434 381-6357
434 385-3671
hyochum@sbc.edu

myochum@ves.org

Day 3:

Laurna Kaatz

Amy McCarty

Instruction Support Specialist/Physics Instructor

Physics Teacher
Department of Physics and Engineering

AltaVista High School

Sweet Briar College
Alta Vista, VA

lkaatz@sbc.edu

amccarty@campbell.k12.va.us

Class Hours:
Thursday, June 28 through Saturday, June 30
Daily 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, with a one hour lunch break

Class Rooms and Labs:
Class will be split into two sections, one section will meet in Guion 018, other in 014.

Course Materials:
All course materials will be provided. Some items will be given to teachers to take to their classrooms after this course is completed.

Course Requirements:
Completion of the on-line, pre-course survey is required, but not graded. Attendance at all class meeting hours is also required in order to get credit for the class. Short homework assignments may be assigned each night. An on-line end of course survey is also required.

Grading and Grading Options:
The course may be taken under either the graded or pass/credit/no credit options.
(Please note that under the P/C/NC option, a grade of C- or better is required for the pass.)
Under the graded option, Sweet Briar uses the following grading scale:
A (4.0), A- (3.7), B+ (3.3), B (3.0), B- (2.7), C+ (2.3), C (2.0), C- (1.7), D+ (1.3), D (1.0), D- (0.7), F (0)
It is the teacher-participant's responsibility to choose the grading option he/she needs to fulfill his/her requirements for licensure, certification, or renewal. Once chosen, the option may not be reversed.

Schedule:

Thursday, June 28

Friday, June 29

Saturday, June 30

Group 1

Group 2

Group 1

Group 2

Group 1

Group 2

Morning 9:00 - Noon

Behavior of Circuits

Behavior of Circuits

Magnets and Electromagnets

Magnets and Electromagnets

Applications of Electromagnets - Fun Devices

Applications of Electromagnets - Fun Devices

Lunch

Afternoon 1:00 - 4:00

Behavior of Circuits

Behavior of Circuits

Magnets and Electromagnets/

Applications of Electromagnets - Fun Devices

Magnets and Electromagnets/

Applications of Electromagnets - Fun Devices

Applications of Electromagnets - Fun Devices

Applications of Electromagnets - Fun Devices

Assignments and Grade Weighting:

Required Pre-Course On-Line Survey - (not graded – if completed, full credit; if not completed, automatic failure) 10%
Participation - active, engaged participation in all class activities, discussions, and labs is expected of all teacher-participants 30%
Homework - Assignment 1 due on day 2 and Assignment 2 due on day 3, 10% each 20%

In-class assignments - Items completed in class

20%
End-of-Course On-Line Survey - instructions and deadline will be given on the last day of class 20%