A TIME for PHYSICS FIRST

Academy for Teachers - Inquiry and
Modeling Experiences for Physics First

Year 2 - Summer 2007

Introduction |  Academy Curriculum |  Selection Guidelines |  Contact Information |  Participant Benefits |  Participant Commitments |  District Benefits |  District Commitments |  Application Procedure | Immunization Info

2007 Forms and Info:
2007 Renewal Application form for Summer 2006 Participants
2007 Protege Flyer       2007 Application to become a Protege
Math Teacher Application 2007       Admin Application 2007
MU Mandatory Immunization form

Introduction

A TIME for Physics First is a program funded by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education through a Math-Science Partnership grant. This program consists of curriculum development of a yearlong physics course at the 9th grade level, related professional development, support for classroom implementation and student evaluation. This collaboration is led by Columbia Public Schools and the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Summer academies will be held in 2006, 2007 and 2008 at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Academy participants will be supported during the school year by 4 daylong follow-up sessions held on Saturdays, site visits from coach-mentors and meetings of Professional Learning Teams. Math teachers and administrators from partner districts will attend parts of each academy. Up to 75 9th grade science teachers from Missouri schools will be selected, with priority given to those from partner districts (listed on website). The 3-year cohort began the academy in 2006. A 2-year cohort of proteges will be recruited for summer 2007.

Academy instruction will be provided by Profs. Meera Chandrasekhar and Dorina Kosztin (MU Physics), Prof. Kandiah Manivannan (MSU Physics), Profs. Mark Volkmann and James Tarr (MU Education) and Sara Torres (CPS), peer teachers, teaching assistants and consultants.

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Academy Curriculum

For 2006 participants, the three-year series of summer academies, each 3 weeks long, will focus on the following content:

Summer 2006: Force and Motion
Summer 2007: Motion in 2D, Energy and Electricity (June 11-29, 2007)
Summer 2008: Electromagnetism, Light, Heat and Waves

For proteges. the two-year series of summer academies, each 4 weeks long, will focus on the following content:

Summer 2007: Force, Motion, 2D Motion and Energy (June 4-29, 2007)
Summer 2008: Electricity, Electromagnetism, Light, Heat and Waves

All content will:

• Align with Missouri Grade Level Expectations (GLEs)
• Include assessment suitable for 9th grade
• Utilize hands-on materials to match a diverse mix of students
• Employ modeling and inquiry strategies interwoven with content and modeled in the teaching.

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Selection Guidelines

• Preference is given to partner districts and districts of current participants
• Districts must show strong commitment to Physics First curriculum (see District Commitments/Benefits)
• Districts and individuals must commit to take part in the program for 3 years (2 years for proteges)
• Participant must intend to teach yearlong 9th grade physics, in 2006-07 year and beyond
• Preference will be given to teams (two or more teachers from the same district)
• Proteges will be selected by defined guidelines

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Contact Information

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Participant Benefits

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Participant Commitments

• Participate for 3 years (proteges 2 years)
• 2006 participants attend 3-week summer academies at MU (15 days, 6 hrs/day). 2007 proteges attend 4-week summer academy at MU (20 days, 6 hrs/day). All attend 4 follow-up Saturdays annually. Two follow-ups may be held at STOM or Interface, or by video conference.
• Participate in Professional Learning Teams (PLTs) during school year: 2-4 week lesson-study and monthly meetings (20 hours)
• Meet 8 times / year with Coach-Mentor
• Teach at least half the content from the academy during the school year, report students' pre/post-tests, document changes in cognition and provide scores to the evaluator
• Submit journal writings via website for science education credit
• Pay MU student incidental fees (~ $130 / year). The school district may opt to pay this fee.
• In Years 2 & 3 , participants may submit a proposal to present Physics First activities at a professional conference.

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District Benefits

• Curriculum development for yearlong 9th grade physics course
• Professional development for 9th grade science teachers
• Support for implementation of yearlong Physics First course during academic year
• Assessment of students to evaluate program.

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District Commitments

• Participate in program for entire 3 years (2 years if only a protege district)
• Implement yearlong 9th grade Physics First (PF) course in the 2006-07 school year
• Submit a District Commitment Form signed by administrator, which is part of the application form
• Designate a district contact person who is responsible for communication between the PF team and district participants, recruitment and paperwork, including collection of videotape and test consent forms
• Provide support for Professional Learning Teams (PLTs)
• Permit classroom visits by coach mentors 8 times each school year
• Recruit a math teacher to attend summer academy for 5 days
• Recruit administrator to attend summer academy for 2 days
• Appoint science teacher or administrator to serve on either the Curriculum Committee or Advisory Board; those meetings held on Saturdays
• Offer in-service credit, where appropriate, to math teachers and administrators who attend academy
• Offer in-service credit, where appropriate, for members of the Curriculum Committee and the Advisory Board
• Collaborate with external evaluators to support program goals and ensure quality of delivery

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Application Procedure

The following items must be included in the application packet:

• A completed year 2 application form (link below), which includes
  1. Information about participant
  2. Participant Commitment Form, signed by applicant
  3. District Commitment Form, signed by a district administrator
• Partnership form, only if your district is not already a partner
• Forms are available for both 2006 participants (deadline Feb 1, 2006) and for proteges

Please mail application material to:

Sarah Hill
Dept. of Physics and Astronomy
223 Physics Bldg.
University of Missouri
Columbia , MO 65211

Immunization Information

Federal and State regulations require all students to have certain immunizations (waived for semester 1, but not thereafter). Guidelines are described in MU's Mandatory Immunization form. Note that ALL students are required to have immunizations in Part I of the form; students living in residence halls - Part II; Part III is required for some people; and Part IV is recommended but not required. All Physics First participants are required to complete this form and send it to Sarah Hill.

Proteges will be notified after March 1, 2007
2006 participants will be notified within 2-3 weeks of application.

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E-mail: meerac@missouri.edu
Phone: (573) 882-2619
Address: University of Missouri - Columbia