Who owns a new science course once it has been developed? If teachers teach a course in their own way, does this transformation improve or deform it? The development of "Advancing Physics" provokes some fresh thought about these questions. (Author/MM)

Trickshot! is an exploratory environment that allows learners to experiment with various physical properties to develop an intuitive understanding of the behavior of objects in physical systems. The software is geared to secondary students with little exposure to pool or physics. When used in conjunction with meaningful class activities, such an…

An Australian secondary school physics course utilizing an electronic programmable calculator and computer is described. Calculation techniques and functions, programming techniques, and simulation of physical systems are detailed. A summary of student responses to the program is included. (BT)

Enumerates characteristics of the physics curriculum at a high school designed for gifted students in science. Details areas of concern, observed changes, and particular management strategies in teaching physics to a very large number of students. (CS)

The author describes, in a highly personal manner, physics teaching in a rural school. Topics detailed include: program descriptions, teaching methods, textbook selection and adoption procedures, teaching load, and the problems associated with teaching in a school district with limited funds. (BT)

Describes a physics classroom in Briarcliff High School, Briarcliff Manor, New Jersey. Over 50 percent of the student body studies at least a year of physics before graduating, but less than 15 percent take a computer course. The physics programs discussed illustrate five different computer applications. (MP)

Discusses problems related to the lack of mathematical competence in school physics, the contribution of modern math to the teaching of school physics, and the lack of cooperation between physics and math teachers. Presents a promising model to create a satisfactory liaison between math and science in the schools. (GS)

Describes a long-term in-service training program for physics teachers grades 7-12 designed to enhance teachers' subject matter and pedagogical content knowledge. Teachers' opinions of the program were examined using a survey. Results suggest that the courses and activities that were most valuable for day-to-day teaching were those in which…

Describes an individualized Physical Science Study Committee (PSSC) physics program which follows the Personalized System of Instruction (PSI) format. The program has a variable-credit option, to provide flexibility to meet students' needs and interest. (GA)

Described is the development and initial assessment of a forgiveable loan program designed to attract qualified students into a teacher education program to prepare for teaching mathematics in middle or high schools. The program was established in 1983 at Austin College by the King Foundation. Five qualified students a year may be awarded a King…

Focusing on long-term arms-race education, discusses what physicists can do to help provide students and the public with technical information needed to understand issues involved in the nuclear cold war. Suggestions provided focus on public programs, media, publications, education of physicists, arms-race courses, "enrichment in physics courses,"…

Describes the Career Oriented Pre-Technical Physics (COPP) curriculum. This curriculum, comprising 29 modules, uses a hands-on, practical, nature to stress the career-vocational aspects of physics. Students design their personal curricula and proceed at their own pace. Evaluative information, comparing this program with other physics curricula, is…

A Monash University (Australia) program to enhance the chemistry and physics preparation of secondary school graduates entering engineering in higher education offers one-semester intensive courses. The first four years of the program have produced encouraging results. Coordination of practical work and theory is seen as crucial to learning. (MSE)

Some of the projects designed to increase girls' uptake of physics are surveyed and some aspects of teaching physics in a girl-friendly way are presented. Possible reasons for the underrepresentation of girls in high school physics are discussed. The Girls into Science and Technology (GIST) and the Girls' Education in Mathematics, Science and…

Discussed is whether high school students of teachers trained in the use of open-ended historical experiments dealing with light and sound perceive physics in a more favorable light. The effect of the training on the participants' classrooms on both teachers and students (n=130) is investigated. (KR)