Electricity and magnetism were the topics of instruction for high school physics teachers for a weeklong workshop held at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Dr. Al Adams, the instructor for Sparking Interest in High School Physics Laboratories, increased teacher-conceptual understanding of the principles of electricity and magnetism by utilizing 10 laboratory exercises. The content of the exercises included skills from the Arkansas Department of Education Science Frameworks for Physics. Teachers participated in hands-on laboratory inquiry using state-of-the-art computer measurement systems. The tools for the workshop included Vernier software and a variety of electric, magnetic, and electronic sensors. Guest speakers throughout the week provided information on career opportunities in Arkansas related to physics.
Dr. Adams modeled instruction for the inquiry learning environment as the teachers participated as students. One physics teacher was very enthusiastic about taking the lessons back to his students. He credited the value of the workshop experience to Dr. Adams by stating “he’s shown us how to not let the technology hide the physics.”
Along with receiving lesson plans and supporting material, the participating teachers were awarded funds to purchase lab equipment for their classrooms. The teachers will meet again with Dr. Adams during the school year for follow-up activities.
The workshop was funded by the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation through the STEM Professional Development program at the Arkansas Science & Technology Authority.