Metroplex Mini-CAST 2014: Full Schedule

10:00am CST

Rotational Motion I – Torque and Energy

Part two of three. Designed to teach the content necessary for the new AP1 curriculum that will be replacing PreAP Physics in most districts, this presentation will include lecture, problems, hand-outs, and hands-on demos (from actual class labs). Participants will gain conceptual and mathematical understanding of torque and rotational energy (which is more complex than linear). Content: Basic Torque; moment arm (advanced torque); rotational energy (including advanced calculations).

Speakers

Steve Murray

Sponsors

Grapevine High School

Saturday February 1, 2014 10:00am - 11:00am CST
213

Educator Presentation, Physics-Physical Science | High School, Physics-Physical Science

11:15am CST

Released AP Physics Questions as a Resource for Developing Physics Labs

The AP Physics exams include one or more lab based questions which regularly show up as weak areas for students. This session will focus on effective development of labs for Pre-AP Physics, AP Physics B (soon to be AP Physics 1 & 2), and AP Physics C using released free response questions. Emphasis will be placed on experimental design, data analysis, and error analysis.

Speakers

Megan Burns

Holley Mosley

Sponsors

Liberty High School

Saturday February 1, 2014 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
619

Educator Presentation, Physics-Physical Science | High School, Physics-Physical Science

11:15am CST

TeacherGeek STEM : Alternative Energy Make ‘n Take

Put the fun back in physics and the “E” in your STEM curriculum with TeacherGeek Windlifts! Build and test your own wind lift to model transformation of wind energy into mechanical energy that can lift a load! Integrates energy concepts with engineering practices, including design improvement. FREE kit to all participants.

Speakers

Raul Perez

Sponsors

Frisco ISD

Saturday February 1, 2014 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
423

Educator Presentation, Physics-Physical Science | Middle School, Physics-Physical Science

11:15am CST

THe Fluid Filled Accelerometer

Would you like to be able to help your students understand motion and force? This short course based on the Operation Physics program uses a novel Fluid Field Accelerometer to help participants gain a deep understanding of motion and force. Participants will use and receive instructions to make their own FFA. This is a unique opportunity for teachers. While focused on the middle grades the concepts presented are valuable to HS teachers.

Speakers

Joel Palmer

Sponsors

Mesquite ISD

Saturday February 1, 2014 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
803

Educator Presentation, Physics-Physical Science | Middle School, Physics-Physical Science | High School, Physics-Physical Science

1:30pm CST

Truly En'Light'ening

Learn how to teach physical science in an en"light"ening and hands on way. Engage your students with activities that will keep them wanting more! Activities include: Lasertag, Super Circuit Challenge, and many more!

Speakers

Kassie Gaines

Stephanie Shaw

Sponsors

Corsicana ISD

Saturday February 1, 2014 1:30pm - 2:30pm CST
419

Educator Presentation, Physics-Physical Science | Elementary, Physics-Physical Science

1:30pm CST

TeacherGeek STEM: Rubber Band Racer Make ‘n Take

Build, race and engineer a vehicle while applying the science concepts of energy, simple machines and friction. This activity comes with components required to construct a vehicle powered by the stored energy of a simple rubber band. Classroom-ready STEM lesson exploring force, motion, and energy. FREE kit and activity to all participants.

Speakers

Raul Perez

Sponsors

Frisco ISD

Saturday February 1, 2014 1:30pm - 2:30pm CST
423

Educator Presentation, Physics-Physical Science | Elementary, Physics-Physical Science | Middle School, Physics-Physical Science | High School, Physics-Physical Science

1:30pm CST

Building Connections between Math and Physics

Have you ever wondered why your students just can't seem to solve F=ma? How many different ways can you teach velocity graphs before the students understand? Have you considered that it might be because physics and math teachers use different vocabulary and strategies for teaching the same concepts? Learn how to approach your administration and math departments to identify common areas that cause confusion and increase cross-curricular integration.

Speakers

Anna Lamb

Clay Stanfield

Teacher, RISD

Physics Teacher

Sponsors

Richardson High School

Saturday February 1, 2014 1:30pm - 2:30pm CST
806

Educator Presentation, Physics-Physical Science | High School, Physics-Physical Science

1:30pm CST

Flipping the Physics Classroom

In this workshop, we will use an eBook to demonstrate the ease of filling the physics classroom. We will use a topic that is occurs in the spring semester and the materials will be yours to take back and use in your classroom. With this information you will be able to try the process of flipping the classroom. Everyone should bring their own laptop with a cord incase you need to plug into an outlet.

Speakers

Beverly Trina Cannon

Sponsors

Gilliam Collegiate Academy

Saturday February 1, 2014 1:30pm - 2:30pm CST
801

Educator Presentation, Physics-Physical Science | High School, Physics-Physical Science

1:30pm CST

Understanding Electricity

This short course based on the Operation Physics program uses a participant created Home Brewed Electrophorus and a simple Leyden Jar to investigate the nature of electricity. Participants will learn how to separate and store electrical charges. Participants will investigate both static and current electricity. Participants will leave with a functional Electrophorus and Leyden Jar and a deep understanding of electricity.

Speakers

Joel Palmer

Sponsors

Mesquite ISD

Saturday February 1, 2014 1:30pm - 2:30pm CST
803

Educator Presentation, Physics-Physical Science | Middle School, Physics-Physical Science | High School, Physics-Physical Science

2:45pm CST

Hollywood Physics

Looking for more engaging examples for you physics classroom? In this session, we will break down scenes from movies like Back to the Future, The A-Team, Gone in 60 Seconds, Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter and more! Using these movie scenes, students will use physics concepts like Kinematics, Projectile Motion, Force, and Momentum while trying to answer the age old movie question “is that really possible?” Participants will receive information on where to find each movie clip for easy use in the classroom.

Speakers

Kenric Davies

Lead Physics Teacher, Sherman High School

I obtained a Bachelor's of Arts in Physics from Texas A&M University where I was also a part of the aggieTEACH program. After graduating in 2010, I went to work for Sherman High School and have been teaching Physics, Pre-AP Physics, AP Physics B (now AP Physics 1 & 2), and Astronomy... Read More →

Sponsors

Sherman High School

Saturday February 1, 2014 2:45pm - 3:45pm CST
801

Educator Presentation, Physics-Physical Science | High School, Physics-Physical Science

2:45pm CST

Ranking Tasks for Today's Physics

Formative and summative assessment continue to drive the planning for our classes. Use of the ranking tasks can be a part of the assessment process. The ranking tasks will help students to use the relationships established in physics and identify some of the misconceptions within the physics concepts the students have maintained. The use of the ranking tasks will help build student confidence in the work and decision-making. Packets of ranking tasks for the entire year will be distributed and books with ranking tasks will be given to the first 20 through the door.

Speakers

Beverly Trina Cannon

Sponsors

Gilliam Collegiate Academy

Saturday February 1, 2014 2:45pm - 3:45pm CST
613

Educator Presentation, Physics-Physical Science | High School, Physics-Physical Science

2:45pm CST

Acceleration, get you students up to speed

This is a hands on lab with a short introductory ppt. The lab is focused on describing acceleration conceptually but includes analytical calculations as well. The lab includes using CPO ramps, modeling acceleration using dot cars, and providing alternative tactile acceleration activity to use with your students.

Speakers

Barbara McCoy

Sponsors

Garland ISD

Webb MS

Saturday February 1, 2014 2:45pm - 3:45pm CST
414

Educator Presentation, Physics-Physical Science | Middle School, Physics-Physical Science

2:45pm CST

Motion Graphs and You! Teaching and learning motion graphs conceptually

Students often struggle with describing motion from a graph. In this workshop, participants will be presented with a conceptual, hands-on method of creating and interpreting kinematics graphs, using toy cars and ticker tape. Participants will receive student worksheets, keys, and a card sort activity. Skills presented are applicable for regular middle school through honors/AP high school physics students. For a more in-depth, numerical data analysis workshop, please attend Georgia Stuart's session, Science Data and You!

Speakers