ERIC Number: EJ943476
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Oct
Pages: 4
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0031-921X
EISSN: N/A
Physics Myth Busting: A Lab-Centered Course for Non-Science Students
Madsen, Martin John
Physics Teacher, v49 n7 p448-451 Oct 2011
There is ongoing interest in how and what we teach in physics courses for non-science students, so-called "physics for poets" courses. Art Hobson has effectively argued that teaching science literacy should be a key ingredient in these courses. Hobson uses Jon Millers definition of science literacy, which has two components: first, "a basic knowledge of key scientific concepts," and second, "an understanding of the process of science." In preparing to teach our course for non-science students, I found that the majority of textbooks and courses focus on the first component. However, I wanted a lab-centered course that would give students hands-on practice doing science. I describe in this article a course I designed and implemented at Wabash College that focused on teaching students "the process of science." The course was titled "Adventures in Physics: Mythbusters" and was based loosely on the popular Discovery Channel show "MythBusters."
Descriptors: Physics, Scientific Concepts, Science Process Skills, Scientific Literacy, Misconceptions, Nonmajors, Science Instruction, Science Laboratories, College Science, Creative Teaching, Student Motivation
American Association of Physics Teachers. One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740. Tel: 301-209-3300; Fax: 301-209-0845; e-mail: pubs@aapt.org; Web site: http://scitation.aip.org/tpt
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A