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Less Physics Mo Problems

Why am I writing this personal entry? Well, it is not an attempt to gain any sympathy. It attempts to show what is possible if a clear intention and goal serve the learner's needs.  In May of 2022 just near the end of another fantastic school year, I do not remember what happened. But, I was unable to finish the school year and was unable to teach the following year.  Why? On May 21st, 2022, I fell down a flight of 16 stairs (luckily carpeted) from the 2nd to 1st story of our home.  I was found at the bottom of the stairs. I was found foaming at the mouth. This would lead to a 2-month hospital stay which included an induced coma because my seizures would not stop, several rounds of lumbar punctures, and relearning basic physical movements like something as simple as being able to roll in the hospital bed. Simply put, when I was admitted to the hospital, I was diagnosed as being “critically ill.” Please take a moment and read those words: critically ill. They are not terms...

This Is How We Kick It Off!



 As I write this, NFL Kickoff Week is about to begin.  The NFL know how to stage an event to get people excited for the 5 month season ahead.  It’s a journey millions of people tune in for and have been waiting all year for.  









This is the type of enthusiasm educators hope to generate in their students.  Incorporating a project based approach is one way I’m hoping to bring this enthusiasm into my physics classroom.  Sometime this kick-off event can be called an entry event. It is meant to generate thought not simply increase student engagement.  Entry events can take many different forms from field trips to a teacher presenting the class with a reading, statistic, or problem that elicits a reaction and curiosity.

The driving question for our first term project asks students “How can I use physics to hack sports?”  Students will consider personal athletic events or sporting events that they enjoy.  They will examine 1 technique and examine the physics behind the successful execution of the technique for high school athletes and sportsmen. Then, they will take the role of a coach to improve technique or prevent injury.

When looking at Gold Standard PBL elements, one key element that we are hoping to bring in with our kickoff event is authenticity. To this end, we have designed an entry event which will bring in athletic professionals from the state to speak to our students.

Our great professional were

Jeremy Jacobs from Milwaukee Barbell




Matt Gifford from NX Level Athletics





Sharif Chambliss UWM Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach




Eric Johnson  Swimming Coach and Badger swimming star




Jackie Friesen UW-Madison Assistant Women’s Hockey Coach




Jake Venes Sports Performance Trainer for Froedtert Hospital





What follows is a video summary of the event.





It was great to have so many professionals take in interest in our students and show them the connections between athletics and physics.  

Comments

  1. Love the authenticity of bringing in experts! Not only does it add validity to what you are doing, but what a way to engage teenagers! So fun! Can't wait to follow how your semester goes!
    ~Angela & Kate
    Team Togetherness

    ReplyDelete
  2. So encouraged by this approach. Was in the room when this happened and loved how you collaborated with Joel Nellis in the PE dept!

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a great idea to collaborate and bring Physics to life for the kiddos to be able to relate to! You have definitely grabbed their attention and interest.

    ReplyDelete

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