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
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
Sharif Chambliss UWM Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach
Jackie Friesen UW-Madison Assistant Women’s Hockey Coach
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.
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!
ReplyDelete~Angela & Kate
Team Togetherness
So encouraged by this approach. Was in the room when this happened and loved how you collaborated with Joel Nellis in the PE dept!
ReplyDeleteWhat 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.
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