The WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy
and the School of Education present
Fred Goldberg
February 4 and 5, 2002
Fred Goldberg is a nationally known science educator and is the director of the Constructing Physics Understanding (CPU) project at the Center for Research in Science and Mathematics Education at San Diego State University.  CPU is a modular curriculum in which students create, test and refine scientific theories through a carefully sequenced series of experiments, powerful simulators and discussion.  The curriculum was developed specifically for preserve teachers and fosters a better understanding of the process of science, improves science confidence, and models active, hands-on instruction in science.  The materials have been used for K-12 instruction as well, as they are closely aligned with national Science Standards.  This successful model is being built upon in the Constructing Ideas in Physical Science (CIPS), an inquiry-based, year long physical science course that engages middle school students in constructing meaningful understanding of important physical science concepts.

Fred Goldberg will give three presentations while at WKU.  One is the regular Department of Physics and Astronomy colloquium, to which interested faculty and students from the School of Education will be invited to attend.  Monday evening he will give a public talk to which the entire university community, local educators, and any other interested members of the public are invited.  Tuesday morning he will present a two-hour workshop on the CPU curriculum

Colloquium:
How Computer Simulators Can Provide a Bridge Between Students' Initial Models and Target Instructional Models of Physics Phenomena
Monday February 4, 4 pm, Thompson Central Wing, room 251 (refreshments before in TCCW 368).
Computer simulations, coupled with hands-on laboratory experiments, can play an important role in helping students develop robust models of phenomena in physics.  In this talk I will show how special features of computer software seem particularly useful in providing a conceptual bridge between students initial models of physics phenomena and the target models.  I will use examples from a Light and Color simulator and from a Static Electricity simulator, both having been developed as part of the Constructing Physics Understanding (CPU) Project, supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation.  In the CPU lens simulator, students can easily manipulate a spray of light rays to help promote the idea that image formation is a  point-to-point mapping between object and corresponding image points.  In the CPU static electricity simulator, students manipulate charged insulators and conductors.

Public Lecture:
Constructing Physics Understanding:  Designing a Pedagogy, a Carefully Sequenced set of Hands-on Experiments, and Powerful Computer Software to Promote Meaningful Learning of Physics
Monday, February 4, 7 pm, Tate Page Hall, Room 132
The Constructing Physics Understanding (CPU) Project, supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation, has developed a pedagogy, curriculum materials and computer simulators to help students working individually, in small groups, and as a whole class to develop physics ideas that are valid and robust. The computer software (simulations) play a special role. They were designed to provide myriad ways to help students to develop and test their own ideas. They are used to provide: phenomenological evidence that could extend and complement hands-on laboratory experiments; model-based evidence to help students test conceptual models of phenomena; multiple representations of abstract ideas; and on-screen visual entities that students can manipulate and refer to in their discussions. In this talk I will describe some interesting features of the CPU pedagogy and then focus on the role of the computer software to support learning.

Workshop:
Constructing Physics Understanding Workshop
Tuesday, February 5, 9 am -11 am, Tate Page Hall, Room 215
Participants will work with simulators and materials from the CPU curriculum.  The learning cycle and pedagogy will also be discussed.
Space is limited.  Please reserve a space by signing up in the Department of Physics and Astronomy office or by contacting Susan Livesay, 745-4357.

For more information, contact Scott Bonham, 745-6196.