ERIC Number: EJ1046192
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014-Nov
Pages: 6
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0047-231X
EISSN: N/A
Case Study: Rocket Mail--Using Historic Articles as Case Studies in Physics and Engineering
Brown, Todd; Brown, Katrina
Journal of College Science Teaching, v44 n2 p64-69 Nov 2014
In the early 1900s science magazines were published with a goal of interesting and exciting the public about science and technology. Articles described technology that was possible and perhaps even tested, but never embraced because of practical limitations. Articles were written in an effort to instill creativity in the reader and to stimulate the reader to experiment. These approaches to exploring and analyzing figures and articles from old science magazines form the basis of case studies. These cases can be used as a supplement to the material normally covered in an introductory-level course. The case studies are developed and used so that students can apply material learned in the classroom to sometimes ill-defined problems, allowing them to see that the world is not idealized. The evaluation of the figures and articles not only involves the use of physics, but also requires students to critically analyze the plausibility of the engineering that would be used. The cases give them an opportunity to integrate the material they have been taught in class and compel them to consider the consequences of non-ideal, messy, real-world scenarios. Viewing the articles and figures through the perspective of the historical evolution of science adds interest to the story and helps them realize that science is not static.
Descriptors: Physics, Case Studies, Engineering Education, Teaching Methods, Science Education History, Intellectual History, Journal Articles, Scientific and Technical Information, Publications, Information Sources, Educational Resources, Instructional Materials, Educational Practices, College Science
National Science Teachers Association. 1840 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201-3000. Tel: 800-722-6782; Fax: 703-243-3924; e-mail: membership@nsta.org; Web site: http://www.nsta.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Pennsylvania
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A