On Friday, I was so pleased to be able to return to one of my favorite days of the year, High-Interest Day at Brookfield Elementary School. This is a day where I have been able to bring the concepts of physics to k-5 graders. You may be asking yourself, "Elementary students doing physics?" YES! Not just experimenting, but understanding the concepts behind the physics of electricity and sound. This is a very special day I have had the opportunity to be involved in since 2017. So, how are we able to bring the concepts of electricity and sound traditionally taught to high school 11th and 12th graders to the elementary level? There are a few keys 1) make it a hands-on experience 2) remove the mathematical calculations and make it practical. In the past, I had the luck of bringing a handful of my physics students with me to guide the elementary students through the concepts that they had learned over the course of the year. But in my new role as a Teaching and Learning Speciali
"Examples of gender inequity are abundant in school texts and children’s books and movies, classroom experiences, exposure to science toys, and other science-related experiences." - The Franklin Institute I've been a Star Wars fan for a long time. In fact, it was my first movie experience I can remember. Darth Vader entering the Tantive IV. So it was with great pleasure that I really liked The Force Awakens. After seeing the film, I felt the need to write about it. But not about the Physics of the Starkiller Base, but something much more real world. The part of the film that brought me the greatest joy was seeing a the Return of the Heroine to Star Wars. Rey (last name? Skywalker? Solo? Episode VIII you're my only hope) is the type of hero boys have been getting for ages. Heroes who have no problems fending for themselves, learning new skills on their own, and demonstrating these skills. Think James Bond, Indiana Jones, Robert Langdon, the act