ZAK AND
MELISSAÕS STRATEGIES TO RECRUIT PHYSICS STUDENTS.
Compiled by Jane
Jackson, from Zak and MelissaÕs workshop at ASU on Nov. 4, 2017.
Zachary
Kovach teaches at La
Joya Community High School in Avondale. He grew physics from 2 sections to 13
sections in three years. Zachary recruits students by starting with WHY. *
WHY: He
tells them that "I CAN HELP
YOU SEE OUR WORLD FOR THE AMAZING PLACE IT IS, UNLOCK THE MYSTERIES OF THE
UNIVERSE, AND LEARN SKILLS THAT WILL BENEFIT YOUR FUTURE NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO.
HOW: Do cool projects, build things, go
outside, do hands-on labs, work together to solve problems, have fun.
WHAT: By
the way, this course is called physics!
-------------------------------------
* TED talk of Simon Sinek. Also, Simon Sinek's book: START WITH
WHY.
Melissa
Girmscheid teaches at
Centennial HS in Peoria. She doubled her physics enrollment.
MELISSA
GIRMSCHEID's recruitment strategies:
* Engage your students in highly visible
projects – invite other classes to watch.
* Use the studentsÕ tools – social
media – to advertise your class.
* Be an active participant on your
campus.
* Get to know the CTE teachers –
physics is highly applicable to their programs.
* Get to know the coaches – physics
is beneficial to athletes.
* Communicate with guidance counselors
– get them involved in your activities.
* Meet with other physics teachers in
your area – collaborate and band together.
* Educate curriculum department on the
importance of physics.
* Volunteer to help with curriculum and
professional development.
* Be a visible presence in the district.
* Above all, be yourself.
ZAK KOVACH's
recruitment strategies:
* Always carry a
physics toy (e.g., a singing rod)...
* Recruit in cafeteria...before school, during lunch, after school
* Do demos when subbing other classes
* Elective fair
* Recruit when walking around campus
* Do lab/activities where others can see.
* Give in-class presentations to all
science classes (you or students).
* Get in good with yearbook/photo
teacher.
* Schedule meeting with all guidance
counselors before or after school.
* Invite other teachers, counselors,
admin to see cool stuff we do.
* Do stupid things in pep assemblies.
* Sponsor a club / coach a sport.
* Get in good with the district media
person.
* Be weird, be yourself.
* Present at professional development.
* Live your philosophy.
Also, Zak calls
& e-mails local newspapers and TV stations; that led to 2 news stories in
2017.