Summer PTRA Workshop for High School Physics

Teachers Teresa Burns

Coastal Carolina University

AAPT Spring 2003

Also Starring:

• Louis Keiner• Jim Nelson• Richard Borst• Nina Morley-Daye• Don Franklin• Larry Badar

Physics Teachers Resource Agents: • TO DEVELOP WORKSHOP LEADER'S

MANUALS.These manuals are designed to serve as a resource for the workshop leader and for the practicing teachers who attend PTRA workshops.

• TO DO OUTREACH WORKSHOPSat local or regional sites. This is the PTRA way of spreading the excitement of teaching and learning physics.

• TO ESTABLISH A SYSTEM FOR THE LONG TERM CONTINUATIONof the PTRA workshops without relying on a continuing infusion of direct federal funding.

Coastal chosen as Rural Initiative Site:• Centrally located to many

rural school districts

Co PI’s: Larry Badar, Northwestern University

Jim Nelson, Seminole County School District, Florida

Continuing Funding from the National Science Foundation.

Logistics:

• Identify and contact school districts • Room and board for the

participants; PTRA pays• Provide logistical support during the

workshop

Workshop Goals:• Teach participants physics concepts

in a PTRA workshop environment• Forge connections between

teachers in the rural school districts• Identify potential future PTRA’s

Workshop Organization:

• 3 sets of workshops over a 4 day period– Organized around

Threads of Knowledge

• Lead by PTRA’s– Remain constant at

a site

• Extensive written take home materials

• Make and Take demo equipment • Professional development credits

several ways:– Graduate credit through CCU, – Prof. Dev. credits through the AAPT– Through school district directly

Connections between participants: • Participants were encouraged to

eat lunch together on campus• Organized Social evening• Snacks during breaks• Ample time to hang out and talk

• Horry• Georgetown• Marion• Dillon• Williamsburg• Florence (rural sd’s)• Berkeley• Charleston• Darlington• Orangeburg• Lexington

43 participants from 11 South Carolina counties:

How did the participants like the workshop?

- Time was well-used-  Activities were relevant

and appropriate- Instructors were great- Nice materials that will

be helpful in my classroom

- Pace was good

I was surprised at what I discovered after having experienced what my students experience when working with different personalities in your group! Probably something we all should realize!

Our Challenges: •Three-year cycle

•Only very limited number of repeaters

•Two workshops during the school year

•Teachers find it hard to participate

•Interest low in national PTRA program

Our Offer!• Stipend that grows with hours in program• Room and Board• Travel Reimbursements• Classroom supplies• Calculator and Computer-based training• Follow-ups (count toward stipend) • Graduate Credit

BUT• Three-year commitment with attendance

during the year

Interested?

Contact Teresa or LouisPick up flyer and

application at registration table

Visit our website:http://kingfish.coastal.edu/physics/

Thank you for your attention!