August 28, 2010: Refresher Physics/New Teachers Workshop I
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Place: John Burroughs School; 755 South Price Road; St Louis, MO 63124
Contact: Valerie Michael to RSVP: vlfmich@gmail.com
----Space is filling up fast for this --- signup to ensure your spot -- even if only on the waiting list! ---- The SLAPT has received a grant to run two free six hour workshops at the beginning of the school year. The workshops will be a walk through of activities for the first year of physics in a physical science class, a Physics First class or an upper level general physics class. We are looking for folks who are new to the teaching of physics, are crossover teachers, need a refresher, or would enjoy quality professional development to start the year. In the workshop we will perform labs, discuss the opening of school, look at rubrics for lab work, practice modeling discourse, do simple make-n-takes, apply learning cycles, answer questions, search applicable websites, check state standards, and try a practicum. We hope all the teachers will leave refreshed and looking forward to new school year. Each teacher will receive a copy of the AAPT/PTRA manual,Teaching Physics for the First Time. Each teacher will receive lunch at both sessions. Each teacher will receive about $30 worth of equipment. There will be five door prizes of the Vernier manual, Physics with Video Analysis. Each teacher will receive the books, Ranking Tasks andTasks Inspired by Physics Educational Research (TIPERS) from Pearson. Finally each teacher will receive a CD with valuable teaching materials that are directly applicable to the classroom. The thrust of the workshops will be low tech and relatively inexpensive lab equipment. The tentative dates will be August 28, 2010 and September 11, 2010. Due to the amount of materials that will be given away, a refundable $100 deposit will be required. I will refund the entire $100 at the conclusion of the second workshop. If something comes up and you cannot attend you may certainly send a substitute. If you are a seasoned Physics teacher, would you please pass this information on to a teacher you think might benefit from the workshops? If you would like to participate, please contact Valerie Michael at:vlfmich@gmail.com
September 11, 2010: Refresher Physics/New Teachers Workshop II
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Place: Washington University, (room to be announced)
Contact: Valerie Michael to RSVP: vlfmich@gmail.com
----Space is filling up fast for this --- signup to ensure your spot -- even if only on the waiting list! This workshop is a continuation of part 1 (see above) If you would like to participate, please contact Valerie Michael at vlfmich@gmail.com
October 9, 2010: Six Flags Workshop for Teachers
Time: 9:30 am
Location and Host: Six Flags St. Louis
Cost: Free for you and one guest!
RSVP to Leanne Creek, LCreek@sftp.com with "Physics Workshop" in the subject line and you and your guest's name in the body of the note.
Presenters: Rex Rice, Bill Brinkhorst
Physics Day at Six Flags is better than ever! Six Flags has supported SLAPT’s development of a comprehensive educational component for Physics Day and has now made Physics Day separate from Math and Science Day, giving students more time on the rides and reducing lines. In fact, the staff at Six Flags St. Louis received recognition from their corporate office for their exemplary promotion and management of Physics Day. Mark your calendar now for Physics Day 2010, scheduled for April 29.
To learn more about how to include amusement park physics into your classroom, join us (and bring a guest) for a free workshop at Six Flags on October 9rd. We'll begin with a behind-the-scenes tour of the engineering that makes the rides work. Next, we'll provide an overview of the resources available to use with students in preparation for Physics Day and to use at Physics Day. (You'll also get a CD of the materials.) Finally, we'll strap on our wireless data collection devices and ride, ride, ride!
RSVP to Leanne Creek, LCreek@sftp.com with "Physics Workshop" in the subject line and you and your guest's name in the body of the note.
November 13, 2010: Video Analysis Workshop
Time:8:30 am
Location: Parkway Central High School
Cost: Free
Video analysis is an effective tool for teaching concepts from constant velocity to Coulomb's Law. In this workshop we will practice using Vernier's Logger-Pro to analyze videos both graphically and mathematically. You will also learn methods for integrating video analysis into your classroom. Participants will take a video, analyze the video, and share results with each other using white boards and modeling methods. Flip cameras and computers will be provided, but feel free to bring your own equipment. Participants will receive a CD of resources. The workshop will take place in Parkway Central's brand new science wing (hopefully it will be complete:) Tours will be conducted if you are interested!
ContactJennifer Meyer, for further information at: jmeyer@pkwy.k12.mo.us
2010-2011 SLAPT President's Welcome
Jennifer Meyer, President – Saint Louis Area Physics Teachers
I would like to welcome you to the St. Louis Area Physics Teachers’ website and to an exciting year for the organization. Please check out the exciting workshops and activities that we have planned for teachers and prospective teachers, which include two workshops funded by a grant from AAPT, make-and-takes, and a Six Flags physics workshop. The workshops are conducted by area physics teachers and are practical and useful for physics teachers. I learn something new every time I attend a meeting. They all prove to contain many learning experiences and allow for collaboration with other physics teachers.
We have made some changes to the site in an attempt to utilize the ever-changing technology. I think that you will like what you find when you explore!
I look forward to seeing you at SLAPT workshops this year!
-Jen Meyer
Join the American Association of Physics Teachers
Why should you become a member? It's easy, and there are nice tangible benefits: you will receive both Physics Today and either the Physics Teacher or the American Journal of Physics (your choice) in addition to online access to the magazines. AAPT sponsors contests, awards, pre-college and college teacher training programs, programs for physics students, two national meetings each year, facilitates collaborations between all sorts of physics teachers, and provides grants to sections.
Perhaps more importantly, though less tangibly, is that AAPT is our professional organization, and that membership is a professional responsibility. AAPT supports what we do, recruits and trains new teachers, voices our concerns to legislators, and boosts the prestige of our profession.
Additionally, our new AAPT section status gives SLAPT greater visibility and recognition in the national physics teacher community. Our involvement in AAPT through membership and participation in national meetings will further boost the strength and quality of service SLAPT provides to our members.
Click HERE to go to AAPT's online registration site.
Workshops and meetings planned for the remainder of the 2010-2011 school year --- Many dates are TENTATIVE -- this website will be updated as they become firm.
December 4, 2010: Vernier Workshop at Francis Howell High School
January 15, 2011: Waves Workshop - place to be determined
February 12, 2011: PVC Musical Instrument Workshop - Parkway Central High School - 8-12
February or March: Thermodynamics with Chemistry workshop: UMSL
April 16, 2011: Follow the Grid teacher field trip --- Hosted by AmerenUE - A great way to learn about how electricity is routed and monitored in an urban area
April 29, 2011: Physics Day at Six Flags --- The best field lab for basic physics your students can experience...Click HERE for info
April or May: Annual Physics contest for your students
May 2011: SLAPT planning meeting for 2011-2012 school year
West Point Bridge Design Contest-2011 version
The St. Louis Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has held in the past a local contest in conjunction with the national West Point Bridge Design contest. Information from the 2010 contest is available here: 2010 West Point Bridge Design Contest. Links to any 2011 contest information will be posted here as it becomes available. You could also contact Niel Palmer at nielsennegr@charter.net
Check back here in the coming weeks for updates to the 2010-2011 school year SLAPT Activities
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