time and resources, and lead activities and discussions pertaining to their research. By the end of
the workshop everyone has some familiarity with the other groups’ work, in addition to his or her
own.
What a fun element for me, as a workshop leader, to facilitate the growth of the leadership
skills of others!!! We need leaders in science education! The physics teachers in local high
schools are typically well respected and highly educated. They can make a tremendous impact
within their zone of influence.
The presentation phase of this workshop provides an opportunity for teachers to explore
their leadership potential in a controlled manner. Many participants from previous workshops have
gone on to lead other Modeling Workshops, write Eisenhower grants for teacher workshops in
their districts, and provide training for the “teacher in the next room.”Each of these activities
meets a need that we face in science education today. The teachers gain valuable experience and
confidence, in their role as leaders in the educational community.
I have included in the handout a copy of the presentation rubric that is used for grading and
feedback purposes. At this time more than 600 physics teachers have participated in the Modeling
Program and approximately 250 have been involved in the second semester content workshops
similar to the one I have described today. In the five second semester workshops I have been
fortunate to facilitate, I have worked with 92 teachers from across the country, some of whom are
in this room today.
As we face the challenges of the age of accountability, I think we are in an enviable
position. At what other time in history has there been a climate where change was more needed,
and more possible? We should abandon the top down model of teacher preparation (where
teachers are told what to do) andinstead embrace a model that more actively engages the teachers
in the education process. By doing so we can more than satisfy our critics; we can silence their
accusations and effectively get their frivolous law suit thrown out of court. It would be gratifying
to hear “case dismissed” for a change of pace!

MODELING INSTRUCTION in HIGH SCHOOL PHYSICS
PHS 594: Course Description and Syllabus

The Modeling Workshop is an intensive 4-week course with the following goals:
To train lead teachers in the use of a model-centered, constructivist method of teaching high
school physics.
To help participants integrate computer courseware effectively into the physics curriculum.
To provide teachers professional development through action research team engagement.
To help participants establish local institutional support and the means for diffusion of physics
education reform.

1.

2.
3.
4.

Syllabus/Agenda for second semester Modeling Workshop

Week 1

Wed
6/7
Day 1

(am)Welcome, introduction of participants, paperwork, schedules, distribution
of materials. FCI Testing. Brainstorm '99-00 school year results.
(pm) MBTtest. Go over class results.
Whiteboard first semester's results unit by unit.

Thu
6/8
Day 2

(am) Final wrap-up for 1st semester results. Preview second semester. Review
models and modeling. D. Hestenes speaks on models and modeling.
(pm)Goals, grading, objectives for workshop in detail. Break into groups and
begin organization,elect leaders and coordinators.

Fri
6/9
Day 3

(am) ACTION RESEARCH TEAM TIME
(pm) ACTION RESEARCH TEAM TIME

Week 2

Mon
6/12
Day 4

(am) ACTION RESEARCH TEAM TIME
(pm) ACTION RESEARCH TEAM TIME

Tues
6/13
Day 5

(am)ACTION RESEARCH TEAM TIME
(pm) ACTION RESEARCH TEAM TIME
Team leaders’ updates

Wed
6/14
Day 6

(am) ACTION RESEARCH TEAM TIME
(pm) ACTION RESEARCH TEAM TIME

Thu
6/15
Day 7

(am) ACTION RESEARCH TEAM TIME
(pm) ACTION RESEARCH TEAM TIME

Fri
6/16
Day 8

(am)ACTION RESEARCH TEAM TIME
Team leaders’ updates

Week 3

Mon
7/19
Day 9

(am)ACTION RESEARCH TEAM TIME
(pm)ACTION RESEARCH TEAM TIME,
Discusson of local physics alliance, school inservices, leadership.

Tue
7/20
Day 10

(am)ACTION RESEARCH TEAM TIME
(pm) ACTION RESEARCH TEAM TIME,
Improving your local physics alliance. Team leaders’ final updates.

Wed
6/21
Day 11

(am) ACTION RESEARCH WRAP-UP.
(pm)ART 1Presentations

Thu
6/22
Day 12

(am)ART 1Presentations
(pm)ART 1Presentations

Fri
6/23
Day 13

(am)

ART 1Comments and Critique

Week 4

Mon
6/26
Day 14

(am)ART 2Presentations
(pm)ART 2Presentations

Tues
6/27
Day 15

(am)ART 2Presentations
(pm)ART 2Comments and Critique

Wed
6/28
Day 16

(am)ART 3Presentations
(pm)ART 3Presentations

Thu
6/29
Day 17

(am)ART 3Presentations
(pm)ART 3Comments and Critique

Fri 6/30
Day 18

(am)Rewrite materials, organize and distribute. Consolidate and copy materials-
organize and distribute. Wrap-up, closing remarks

Two follow-up Saturdays in January.

Note: Action Research Teams (ARTs) are selected by participants. ARTs have focused on
CASTLE, microscopic models in electricity, models of light, models of waves and sound, and
underpinnings.