Implementing Units 1 & 2 of the new Study Design in 2003

Unit 1: Current Situation Already started with Sight & Light Sight & Light always takes more time than planned for (8 instead of 6 weeks) Radioactivity & Nuclear Energy done in 3 – 4 weeks. Heating & Cooling is then limited to 3 – 4 weeks, with some content not covered.

Unit 1: Strategy Don’t bother with Heating and Cooling Look for a Detailed Study close to current course Work out how to cover the expanded and more complex Light section

Choice of Detailed Study The new Area of Study “Nuclear and radioactivity physics” is quite short (about 2 weeks) The Detailed Study “Energy from the Nucleus” picks up the Nuclear Energy aspects of the old R & N Area of Study. It also extends this to Fusion reactions and a descriptive treatment of nuclear forces.

Choice of Detailed Study The whole lot could be covered in about 4 – 5 weeks It is supported by the current text books

Managing Light Comments There is a lot of content in this new area of study There are many diverse concepts to cover There seems too much work to do in one continuous sitting.

Managing Light Strategy Break the topic into two sections, one to be done at the beginning of the semester, the other to be done at the end of the semester. Continue as in current course with the ray model of light, and stop when its limitations are reached. Begin the second section with explaining the limitations, and introduce the wave and particle models, going on to the remaining light phenomena.

Managing Light Week 1 Sources of light. Speed of light. Straight line path for light rays Ray paths that enable sight. Week 2 Law of Reflection. Images and Plane Mirrors. Week 3 Images in Curved Mirrors Week 4 Refraction Refractive Index, Snell's Law Total Internal Reflection Critical Angle Week 5 Images and Lenses

Managing Light Week 11 Limitations of ray model Particle and wave models Velocity ratio Week 12 Properties of waves Types of waves Polarisation Week 13 Frequency and colour EM spectrum Week 14 Dispersion and other colour effects

Doing Light in 2004 Questions to consider: How much will students recall of Light from Years 9 & 10? Can “Light as a Wave” be a starting point for the year?

Implementing Units 1 & 2 of the new Study Design in 2003 Unit 2 Current Situation The current course is nicely spaced The content seems to be largely unchanged A Detailed Study has been added. Strategy Look for a Detailed Study that easily fits in to the current course

Choice of Detailed Study The Detailed Study “Investigations: Alternative energy sources” seems an obvious replacement for the Energy Investigation. Consider investigation topics that link the electrical power to the mechanical power. Such an investigation could be an effective way to finish the semester.

Possible Topics for Investigation Solar powered DC motor used to lift a mass Battery driven car Solar powered boat Solar powered car

Scientific Literacy Being Scientific Literate means being aware that Science is a process of seeking better explanations, Experimental investigations are used to test and extend explanations, Investigations require the analysis of data by graphical and mathematical means

Scientific Literacy Aspects Science is a process of seeking better explanations by an experimental method requiring graphical and mathematical skills. For students to be aware of these aspects means that they need to do them, which the courses allow.