Statement+on+Physics+First


 * __Statement on “Physics First – Biology Last” Curriculum__**

In order to create more coherence in the Science Curriculum, the sequence of courses has been rearranged to reflect the natural hierarchy and learning order of the traditional disciplines of Science: Physics, Chemistry and Biology. This approach, depicted below, has been championed by Physics Nobel Laureate Leon Lederman in the American Renaissance in Science Education (ARISE) project, the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), and the BSCS report, “The Cornerstone-to-Capstone Approach: Creating Coherence in High School Science (2006).” The Science Department believes that this sequence will allow for the logical and appropriate connections within and between disciplines.
 * __Rationale:__**

1. The traditional sequence (B-C-P) originated from “The Committee of Ten” in 1894 and is now out-dated. 2. Chemistry has been known as the “central science,” bridging physics and biology. 3. Modern Biology is increasingly molecular requiring chemistry (approx 1/3 of typical text). a) The following terms are from two popular HS Bio texts: nding, conservation of energy, half-life, photosynthesis, absorption spectra b) The following sentence was taken from a popular HS Bio text: - “The transmission of sodium and potassium positive through cell membranes is crucial to the functioning of nerve impulses.” 4. Creating more coherence in the science curriculum improves student learning. 5. A kinesthetic science like physics is the proper introduction to HS science. 6. Physics is the foundation of all science. 7. Physics gives students their opportunities to apply mathematical skills to real situations. 8. Physics deals with phenomena that directly relate to students’ world. 9. Physics provides concrete science experiences. 10. Physics first improves problem-solving skills. 11. The PCB sequence is brain-based and research-based. 12. Physics is hands-on and conceptually appropriate for 9th grade science.
 * __Key Points:__**

Physics First Schools: by 2005 (8% of Private schools with only 57% doing PCB; and 3% of Public with only 37% doing PCB. This nearly doubles the number of students that normally take Physics in Private schools (from 57-100%... Loyola?)

NPR Townhall Interview 2010 on Physics First
media type="file" key="Loyola Physics First on NPR 2010 2.m4a" width="300" height="50"

__**Video Presentation on IMPACT on SAT Math Scores at LHS**__
http://mentor.lmu.edu:8080/ess/echo/presentation/9c4a8a73-1237-4fac-977c-7f36088ef3cc

__**AAPT PF Resources**__
http://www.aapt.org/Resources/physicsfirst.cfm

__**Jesuit Secondary Schools with PF**__
St. Peter's Prep (New Jersey) http://www.stpetersprep.org/ Colegio San Ignacio (San Juan, Puerto Rica) http://www.colegiosanignacio.org/ Portland Jesuit (Portland, Oregon) http://www.jesuitportland.org/ Seattle Prep (Seattle, WA) (Physics - Bio - Chem) http://www.seaprep.org

Academy of the Holy Names (Tampa, FL) PF since 1990! Archer School for Girls (Los Angeles, CA) Baltimore SD Bedford High School (Bedford, MA) Boston SD (MASS) Brentwood High School (Los Angeles, CA) Bryn Mawr School (Baltimore, MD)

**Rachel Zabierek  IS STUDYING ATTITUDES IN THE PF PROGRAM**
Beaverton School District Clark Magnet, Glendale, CA http://www.clarkmagnet.net/ Carroll SD Cambridge SD (Mass) Cape Elizabeth High School (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) The Cate School (Carpenteria, CA) http://www.cate.org/upl/Flash/CurriculumGuide/curriculum_guide/index.html

Colegio San Ignacio de Loyola, Puerto Rico. (JESUIT SCHOOL) Cranston West High School (Cranston, RI) Deerfield High School, Illinios Convent of the Sacred Heart, Greenwich, CT duPont Manual High School, Louisville, KY. http://www.dupontmanual.com/ East Greenwich, RI (new pilot program via KRamon) East Providence High School (East Providence, RI)

Harker School - San Jose, CA http://www.harker.org/page.cfm?p=540 Haverford School (Haverford PA) High Tech High School (San Diego, CA) Jesuit High School (Portland, OR) Justin-Sienna (Napa, CA) PF = PBC @http://www.justin-siena.org/s/353/justinsiena.aspx?sid=353&gid=1&pgid=2018 Garces HS (Bakersfield, CA) http://www.garces.org/ Germantown Friends (PA) - see Glasser 2013 Greensboro Day School (Greensboro, NC) Lakes Community HS (Lake Villa, IL) Lexington Christian Academy (Boston, MA) Lincoln High School (Lincoln, RI) Littlerock SD (AR) Loyola High School (Los Angeles, CA)

McGill-Toolen Catholic High School - "The Impact of a Model-Based Inquiry Freshman Physics Course" (2013) Author: Tim Burgess, Ph.D. http://home.comcast.net/~physicsfirst/site/?/page/Research%2FExperience) Menlo School (Atherton, CA)  Missouri (http://www.physicsfirstmo.org/about/partners.php)  Moanalua High School (Honolulu, HI)  Mount Pleasant HIgh School (Providence, RI)  North Hunterton HS, New Jersey  Pope John Paul II High School (Hendersonville, TN)  Prince George County (MD)

River Dell High School in Oradell, NJ. Rocky Hill (RI) Sacred Heart (SFO, CA) - http://www.shcp.edu/departments/science

San Ignacio, Colegio de Loyola, Puerto Rico. St. Peter's Prep in NJ (http://www.stpetersprep.org/Science) Steele Canyon HS in Spring Valley, CA St. Mary's Academy, Portland, Oregon (P-sophs=conceptual; C-juniors; B-seniors) http://www.stmaryspdx.org/

Webb School in Claremont (with Modeling Instruction) Westminster High School (Westminster, MA) Winward School (West Los Angeles, CA) Woonsocket High School (Woonsocket, RI) "a few LA Charters" (Jane Jackson at ASU) Univ of MO http://www.physicsfirstmo.org/ "A Charter School in Fresno" (contact Brenda Royce via Jane Jackson) Loretto HS, Sacramento (contact Colleen Megowan via Jane Jackson)

__States__ on the move
Rhode Island Missouri

=Presentation copy= = = =Important Docs=



Deerfield High School

Lectures/Harvard http://www.npr.org/2012/01/01/144550920/physicists-seek-to-lose-the-lecture-as-teaching-tool?ft=1&f=1001&sc=tw&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter