A Laboratory Based Physical
Science Course
James F. Sullivan, Department of
Physics, University of Cincinnati.
Amber Pleiman, Department of
Chemistry, University of Cincinnati
15 TCSI 607
Modeling and Applications in Physical Sciences
and Teaching Lab
4 credit hours
Target Audience(s): present and future teachers
in middle schools through high schools
Weekly Schedule
Mondays: 1:00 – 3:00 PM (2 h)
Tuesdays: 1:00 – 3:00 PM (2 h)
Wednesdays: 1:00 – 3:00 PM (2 h)
Thursdays: 1:00 – 5:00 PM (4 h)
Fridays: 1:00 – 3:00 PM (2h)
10 h per week
Planned Time Frame
First Session: Monday July 2, 2012
Holiday: Wednesday July 4, 2012
Last Session: Friday August 3, 2012
24 meetings, 58 contact hours
Participants Are From Two Programs
Cincinnati Engineering Enhanced Math and
Science Program (CEEMS)
Woodrow Wilson Scholars Program (WW)
Four Rooms Were Reserved
Class Room: Room 309 Braunstein Hall
Computer Room: Room 303 GeologyPhysics Building
Chemistry Laboratory: Room 522
Rieveschl Hall
Physics Laboratory: Room 340
Braunstein Hall
(Abbreviated) Planned Schedule
All topics had a relationship with Energy
•Most accurate and precise equipment (Densities), 4 h
•Straight-line kinematics, mechanical energies ,10 h
•Calorimetry, Enthalpy, 8 h
•Absolute zero, 2h
•Basic Electrical Energy, 6 h
•Solar Cells, 4 h
•Fuel Cells, 4 h
•Wind Turbines, 4 h
•Color & Spectroscopy, 6 h
•Student Presentations , 6 h
•Exams, 4 h
During the course each student
received
•Flash drive
•Scientific calculator
•Digital Multi Meter
•Safety Goggles
•Notebook
•Small solar cell kit
•Hand-held Spectroscope
Instructional Format
Traditional lectures were necessary in
some basic topics (e.g., kinematics,
mechanical energy, etc.).
As the course progressed student
teams were formed to investigate
specific topics (e.g., solar cells, wind
turbines, fuel cells, etc.).
Instructional duties
The topics were basically split
between the Chemistry and the
Physics professors. Each professor
attempted to attend all sessions of
the course (the only exceptions were
for medical commitments). Each
professor was responsible for
preparing and grading all materials in
his/her field.
Presentations
Each student submitted an abstract
early in the course. After some
revisions the abstracts were
compiled into a single booklet and
each student gave a presentation at
the end of the course. The
presentation was open to members
of the university community.
Examinations
Two examinations were given – one
in the middle of the course and the
other at the end. Each exam dealt
with the materials covered in that
section of the course and each was
half chemistry and half physics. Each
professor graded the material on
each exam from his/her field.
Submitted Materials
•Written reports (as requested)
•Electronic files were periodically
submitted. These consisted of
written discussions as well as
spreadsheets containing data and
analysis for laboratory work.
•Homework assignments
Grading
•First examination 25% *
•Second examination 25% *
•Presentation 25%
•All other materials 25%
* These were altered to the following: Lower exam score
20%, Higher exam score 30%.
Visits to Physics Research
Laboratories
Three such visits occurred during the
course. Each was approximately 30
minutes long and included a
discussion by the Research Professor
and observations of the project.
•Low Temperatures.
•Nanostructured Materials.
•Optical Properties of Semiconductors.
Problems
• This course was quite intense (12 h /week)
and students were taking several such courses
simultaneously. Since there are only 168 h in
a week, significant amounts of homework was
not an option.
• The programs did not adequately inform the
Faculty of special events in the programs that
caused class cancellations. This caused a
shortening of two final projects.
Student Response
The results of the student evaluation
forms have not yet been returned to us.
•In general we have much positive
responses from students: some students
are currently using the materials and ideas
in their classes. Many told us the course
was extremely helpful.
•The negative responses seemed to center
about the amount of work required by the
entire programs.
Grant Information
The Cincinnati Engineering Enhanced
math and Science program (CEEMS)
is sponsored by the National Science
Foundation grant # 1102990.
The Woodrow Wilson Program is
sponsored by WW-COF grant number
10084020.
Thank You
Questions?