Connie Wells
Connie Wells has a Master of Science Degree in Physics from The University of Kansas and is currently an adjunct instructor of physics at Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri. She has taught Physics, AP Physics B, AP Physics C and AP Physics 2 at the high school level for over twenty five years. She has been active in test scoring and development for The College Board since 1995, serving on the AP Physics B and C Test Development Committee from 1997-2001. In 2006, Connie was appointed to the AP Physics Redesign Commission and served as Co-Chair of the AP Physics 1 and 2 Curriculum Development and Assessment Committee; she became co-chair of the AP Physics 2 Development Committee from the time it formed until 2015. As a workshop leader and College Board institute consultant, she has presented teacher training institutes throughout the United States and abroad—including Edmonton (AB, Canada), Hawaii, Saipan (Northern Marianas Islands), Barranquilla (Colombia), Bangkok, Skopje (Macedonia), Shanghai, Tokyo, Harbin (China), Taipei (Taiwan), Hangzhou (China),
Beijing, and most recently in Pudong, Shanghai. In August, 2015, she was named Woman Physicist of the Month by the American Physical Society.
Course Description
Participants in this summer institute will have the opportunity to meet and learn from others who are developing Advanced Placement Physics programs in their schools. Current and aspiring AP Physics 1 and/or AP Physics 2 teachers will strengthen their knowledge of the subject, become familiar with the AP Physics program and its changing scope and sequence, and develop laboratory and demonstration materials for use in their own classrooms. They will come away from the institute with many materials, including the College Board AP Physics packet, tests and solutions from past years, sample course syllabi, and the solutions to the 2020 exams. Time will be spent working on problem solving techniques and discussing approaches to teaching AP Physics —including the role of vertical teaming, development of a course syllabus, and designing labs and assessments that address higher order thinking skills. Participants will be given the opportunity to work in small groups to model inquiry-based laboratory design increasingly emphasized by the AP Physics courses, selecting the lab work from a variety of options that best fit the teacher’s course needs. As time permits, new AP teachers will be given guidance in preparing a course syllabus. Participants should bring a calculator, notebook and a few optional items such as a laptop or ipad, handout or favorite demonstration to share, and simple tools (scissors, pliers, screwdrivers).
Agenda
Five-day Course July 12-16, 2021
Day 1: MONDAY, JULY 12 (All times Pacific Daylight Time)
8:30am-10:00am Morning Meeting Session I (Via Zoom)
Introductions
Overview of the Week and Expectations
The AP 1 and 2 Courses and Course Materials
10:00-10:15am Break
10:15am-11:15pm Morning Meeting Session II (Via Zoom)
College Board Required Overview of AP Materials
Courses and Exam Descriptions
11:15-12:15pm Lunch
12:15pm-1:45pm Afternoon Meeting Session III (Via Zoom and Breakout Rooms)
Small Group Work on most recent available Exams
Small Group Production of Problem Presentations
2:00pm-4:30pm Afternoon Meeting Session IV
Meet briefly at 2:00 to set up individual assignments
Asynchronous: Work through individually or with your breakout group the solutions to the latest available Free Response Exams
Review the CB powerpoint on YouTube Quick Start
Day 2: TUESDAY, JULY 13
8:30am-10:00am Morning Meeting Session I (Via Zoom)
Continue Overview of College Board Materials
10:00-10:15am Break
10:15am-11:15pm Morning Meeting Session II (Via Zoom)
Problem Presentations
11:15-12:15pm Lunch
12:15pm-1:45pm Afternoon Meeting Session III (Via Zoom)
Laboratory Work
Start Presentations
2:00pm-4:30pm Afternoon Meeting (Via Zoom and Breakout Rooms)
Asynchronous Work: Complete the group FR presentations
Review the CB ppt Instructional Planning Report
Start working on the 2+-unit syllabus for your course
Day 3: WEDNESDAY, JULY 14
8:30am-10:00am Morning Meeting (Via Zoom)
Review & Discuss Homework
Daily Lesson
10:00-10:15am Break
10:15am-11:15pm Individual Activities (Via Zoom)
Readings & APSI Workbook Activities
Discussion Boards
11:15-12:15pm Lunch
12:15pm-1:45pm Afternoon Meeting Session III (Via Zoom and Breakout Rooms)
Small Group Work on 2019 and 2020 Exams
Small Group Production of Problem Presentations
2:00pm-4:30pm Afternoon Meeting Session IV
Meet briefly at 3:00 to set up individual assignments
Asynchronous (individually and with small group):
Start working on the Unit Syllabus (2 units minimum)
Starting Solving 2019 M.C.
Work on AP Classroom
Design at least two experiments in your group
Day 4: THURSDAY, JULY 15
8:30am-10:00am Morning Meeting (Via Zoom)
Review & Discuss Homework
Daily Lesson
10:00-10:15am Break
10:15am-11:15pm Breakout Discussions (Via Zoom and Breakout Rooms)
Small Group Discussions
Small Group Activities
11:15-12:15pm Lunch
12:15pm-1:45pm Afternoon Meeting Session III (Via Zoom and Breakout Rooms)
Presentation of Pivot Interactives for Virtual Labs
Group Work on 2019 Multiple Choice Samples
2:00pm-4:30pm Afternoon Meeting Session IV
Meet briefly at 3:00 to set up individual assignments
Asynchronous:
Complete your two unit syllabus
Develop a best practice presentation for tomorrow
Day 5: FRIDAY, JULY 16
8:30am-10:00pm Morning Meeting Session I (Via Zoom)
Best Practice Presentations
10:00-10:15am Break
10:15am-10:45am Morning Meeting Session II (Via Zoom)
Finish Discussion of Multiple Choice Question Types and 2019
Samples
10:45-11:00 Break
11:00am-12:00pm Meeting/Wrap Up (Via Zoom)
Wrap-Up/Q and A
REMINDER: Make sure your complete contact information has been filled in on Google Docs to receive prize entries, coupons, etc., and maintain group connections
NOTE: If you are taking the institute for course credit, the assigned work you need to present to me includes the following in addition to anything required by the accrediting institution:
- Completed syllabus for two units of your choice, following the guidelines presented during the session
- A laboratory write-up for one lab of your choice, from labs presented during the session, and following the guidelines in the Laboratory Journal document.
- A set of photos or one brief 1-2 minute video for use with your students of a lab segment or demonstration of your choice.
This course will be assessed a $35 lab fee