1. Implementing Physics First at El Dorado High School Earl Legleiter

2. Early ’90 Course Sequence Principle of Technology EMS Integrated Science Biology Ecology Physics Chemistry

3. Modeling Method at ASU ’95 & ’96 Students design their own experimental procedures Students must justify their interpretations of data in teacher-guided Socratic dialogs Models created from experimental interpretations are deployed in carefully selected problems, each of which is designed to illustrate aspects of the model Solutions are presented by students to the entire class on whiteboards

4. The model is distributed over multiple representations

5. Multiple Representations a particle moving at constant velocity with explicit statements describing relationships

6. ’98 Curriculum Problem  Principles of Technology Was not challenging our best students Out of field teacher  Biology major  Proposed Solution Invert the curriculum Offer Modeling Physics to freshman

7. Barriers to Implementation Convince the district curriculum committee Status quo of physics last Physics is too hard State Assessments

8. Why physics first  Build knowledge of science and the concurrent use of mathematics following the hierarchical nature of science as it has unfolded over the past century  More students take advanced science  Improved college entrance exam scores

9. Physics Needed for Chemistry  Particle Model Mass Kinematics Behavior Force Charge Energy  Particle Interactions

10. Physics Needed for Chemistry  Systems and Surroundings  Energy Thermodynamics Conservation of energy  Process Skills Experimental Design Data Analysis

11. Chemistry Needed for Biology  Carbon chemistry  Covalent bonding  Polar molecules  Catalyst

12. Changes in Chemistry  Used learning-cycle materials from the University of Oklahoma M. R. Abraham J. W. Renner E. Marek  Adapted to a Modeling Approach  Collaborative Action Research team Experienced teacher from neighboring school Dr. Ed Marek

13. Current EHS Science Sequence Con. PhysicsInt. Science Chemistry Biology EMS Ecology Adv. Biology Physics

14. Physics First Evaluation  Force Concept Inventory  Worlds of Fun – Physics Olympics  Kansas State Science Assessment Scores

15. FCI  Test conceptual understanding of mechanics  30 multiple choice questions  Developed at ASU  Used as the standard in physics education research  Average gain nation-wide is 26% - 42%

16. Freshman FCI Scores School YearFCI Post-test Scores ’99 – ’0037.4% ’00 – ’0143.5% ’01 – ’0243.5% ’02 – ’0354.0%

17. World of Fun Physics Olympics  Measurement on rides and a one hour multiple choice test  Physics students from a four state area compete  A. P. Students are included  First time freshman students enter the event

18. Physics Olympics Results  One freshman group earned honorable mention recognition  All groups scored above the average

19. State Assessment Scores