Helping Students Prepare for Success in the Physical Sciences James Friedrichsen Physical Sciences Faculty Coach Cohort 2 ( ) with some help from Pete Wehner, Chris Cavalli, and Jim Heath (Physical Sciences Department Chair) 1

Stellar astronomy students preparing to gather data at RRC Observatory deck Using the data to construct a star chart What are the Physical Sciences? 2

Robot project in Introduction to Engineering ACC students at NASA for Community College Aerospace Scholars Program What are the Physical Sciences? 3

Students working with maps and coordinate systems What are the Physical Sciences? Studying igneous and metamorphic rocks in the field 4

Austin Space Aces doing physics microgravity project at NASA What are the Physical Sciences? Physics students taking and analyzing data in lab 5

PRELIMINARY PHYSICAL SCIENCE BRAIN-STORMING SESSION ( ) Physical Sciences Faculty brainstorming session to: Define student success qualitatively Define student success qualitatively Define student success quantitatively Define student success quantitatively Compile list of student-related factors that influence student success Compile list of student-related factors that influence student success Compile list of faculty-related factors that influence student success Compile list of faculty-related factors that influence student success 6

OUTCOME of Session: Compile List of Testable Hypotheses for ……….. Test the impact of the following on student’s successfully completing Physics courses: Prior knowledge/college preparation Prior knowledge/college preparation Prerequisites Prerequisites Attendance Attendance Math courses previously taken Math courses previously taken Grades in previously-taken math courses Grades in previously-taken math courses Completion of homework assignments Completion of homework assignments 7

Testable Hypotheses 8

PHYSICS ASSESSMENT MEETING to Develop/Refine Hypotheses ( ) Hypotheses to be tested with The Information Portal System (TIPS) data: ■ The level of a math class a student has successfully completed influences their grade in a physics class. ■ The grade in a student's highest level math class influences their grade in a physics class. ■ A student’s grade in Physics 1 influences their grade in Physics 2. 9

10 Testing Some Hypotheses The level of math class a student has successfully completed influences their grade in a physics class.

11 Prerequisite (College Algebra MATH 1314) Above prerequisite (Trigonometry MATH 1316) Below prerequisite (Intermediate Algebra MATD 0390) The level of math class a student has successfully completed influences their grade in a physics class. Showing more detail in the grades for three math levels. Testing Some Hypotheses

Comparing grades earned in previously-taken College Algebra (MATH 1314) to final grade earned in General Physics (PHYS 1401) Testing Some Hypotheses The grade in a student's highest level math class influences their grade in a physics class. 12

13 A student’s grade in PHYS 1401 influences their grade in PHYS 1402 Testing Some Hypotheses General Physics

14 A student’s grade in PHYS 2425 influences their grade in PHYS 2426 Engineering Physics Testing Some Hypotheses

Hypotheses to be tested with ACC data or testing: Students who successfully transfer physics classes to other institutions graduate. Students who successfully transfer physics classes to other institutions graduate. The level of a student's prior science knowledge influences their grade in a physics class. The level of a student's prior science knowledge influences their grade in a physics class. 15

Hypotheses requiring action on the part of the faculty: Students who successfully complete a physics course will show proficiency in problem-solving. Students who successfully complete a physics course will show proficiency in problem-solving. Student’s attendance record influences their success in physics courses. Student’s attendance record influences their success in physics courses. Student's performance on homework assignments influences their performance in a physics class. Student's performance on homework assignments influences their performance in a physics class. 16

ASSESSMENT & INSTRUCTIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERVICES MEETING ( ) Develop data entry portal for Physical Science faculty to input the data needed to test our hypotheses. Develop data entry portal for Physical Science faculty to input the data needed to test our hypotheses. Continue data analysis using TIPS information. Continue data analysis using TIPS information. 17

Develop the Science and Math Skills & Knowledge Assessment Tool Review the Texas College Readiness Standards to identify appropriate topics for developing assessment questions. Review the Texas College Readiness Standards to identify appropriate topics for developing assessment questions. Planned future efforts: Correlate final grades in physical science courses to the score on the basic skills & knowledge assessment tool. Correlate final grades in physical science courses to the score on the basic skills & knowledge assessment tool. Provide this data to future students taking the assessment so they can weigh their success in the course. Provide this data to future students taking the assessment so they can weigh their success in the course. Science Standards Texas College and Career Readiness Standards 18

Develop Science and Math Learning Modules Coordinate with other science disciplines and math to consolidate resources on development of single Science and Math Skills & Knowledge assessment tool that will help address student success across the sciences. Coordinate with other science disciplines and math to consolidate resources on development of single Science and Math Skills & Knowledge assessment tool that will help address student success across the sciences. Once specific topics/skills are identified, IDS Staff will assist in developing modules for students needing to “brush up” on basic science or math skills & concepts. Once specific topics/skills are identified, IDS Staff will assist in developing modules for students needing to “brush up” on basic science or math skills & concepts. 19

Ongoing Activities and Near-term Goals Beta Testing data entry portal with data taken by Physics faculty during ACC Summer Sessions Beta Testing data entry portal with data taken by Physics faculty during ACC Summer Sessions Develop assessment hypotheses for Geology, Astronomy, and Engineering Develop assessment hypotheses for Geology, Astronomy, and Engineering 20