STEM Education Institute Tuesday Seminar
“Active Physics”
Arthur Eisenkraft
Graduate College of Education, University of Massachusetts Boston
Active Physics is an inquiry based curriculum that uses a problem based learning model. In Active Physics, students are presented with a challenge such as build an improved safety device for a car, create a light and sound show to entertain their friends, design a roller coaster for select populations, or make a model for a museum exhibit highlighting the atom and nucleus. They then work on a series of activities which help them to learn the content. After the completion of 8-10 activities, students then transfer their newly acquired knowledge to complete the chapter challenge. The activities follow a 7E instructional model where activity always precedes content. Active Physics bridges research and practice by creating curriculum materials based on the research that have been tested in the school.