Physics for the Next Generation: The Patterns Approach

High school physics often presents challenges, particularly in fostering mathematical connections and scientific practices, which can hinder student engagement and understanding of the subject. This course equips educators with an innovative approach to teaching physics, integrating storylines, project-based learning, modeling, and spreadsheet coding. Centered around the question, “How do we find and utilize patterns in nature to predict the future, make data-informed decisions, and understand the past?,” the curriculum focuses on utilizing science’s big ideas to explain phenomena and solve problems. Participants will explore design principles and curricular examples that guide students to embody the roles of both scientists and engineers, emphasizing the use of mathematical and phenomenological patterns to predict and understand, in alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Participants will learn strategies to authentically engage students in math and science practices, fostering mathematical reasoning and problem-solving skills, ultimately enhancing their understanding of physics and science overall.

Highlights

• Learn to incorporate real-world problems and storylines into physics courses
• Explore strategies that guide students in identifying and making sense of the common mathematical and graphical patterns in nature
• Contrast low-evidence predictions (wild guesses) with data-informed predictions to help students learn the value of evidence-based reasoning
• Learn strategies for using technology, student talk, and claim-evidence-reasoning style arguments (CERs) to support engagement and success of every student in physics

Associated Workshops
Exploring the Science Practice of Mathematical Thinking to Deepen Physics Understanding