TeacherTECH Science Series-Newton's Laws and Gravity: From the Terrestrial to the Celestial -Thursday, October 22, 2009, 5:00pm- 7:00pm

Elementary School, Middle School
, and High School Teachers are invited to attend our October TeacherTECH Technology Tools Series 

focused on
 Newton's Laws of Gravity. 

Thursday, October 22, 2009

5:00pm- 7:00pm


San Diego Supercomputer Center


Auditorium

University of California, San Diego


Workshop Description

 How can you effectively teach Newton's laws? By having students discover them for themselves!

Are astronauts in Earth orbit really "weightless"? Have you and your students ever felt weightlessness? (The answer is YES!).

Can a feather and a hammer both fall at the same rate? Understanding Newton's laws and its consequences on Earth and in space can be a challenge for students, as well as for teachers who do not have a strong physics background. However, the basic ideas worked out by Galileo, Newton and others can be made accessible and engaging with a combination of in-class experiments, "thought experiments" realized by animations, and selected video clips from our recent but rich history of space exploration.

Participants will receive a CD-ROM filled with video clips and take-away activities that will be ready to implement in your classroom.

This workshop is divided into two parts.

Part 1: Newton's laws - done the right way! With some cheap and easy demonstrations, you can expose and confront students'  misconceptions about Newton's laws while demonstrating that the scientific method is little more than "child's play".

Part 2: From apples to orbits - understanding gravity on Earth and in space. Recent educational research has shown that many college students suffer from the same misconceptions about gravity and motion that were common 600 years ago! By building on Newton's laws of motion we shall examine the role of the gravitational force in our daily lives. Then we shall show how Newton was able to synthesize the terrestrial with the celestial - which paved the way for the "space age" which awaits the next generation of scientists and explorers. 

Please join us for an exciting and informative session of hands-on learning presented by Dr. Philip Blanco, Astronomy & Physics Professor, Grossmont College & Coordinator for  Project ASTRO, San Diego State University. 

Please note that this workshop will be recorded for broadcast by UCSD-TV for nationwide distribution. All attendees will be asked to complete a UCSD Media Release Form.

Registration is free.  Refreshments will be served.  Space is 
limited. Please contact Ange Mason at 858-534-5064 or 
 amason@ucsd.edu to reserve your space.


CLICK HERE for additional information on other TeacherTECH programs.