Teaching Physics Through Concept Contests

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Teaching Physics Through Concept Contests
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Physics_at_Mac

• Online Physics Contest
• http//www.science.mcmaster.ca/macsci/outreach/phy
  sics-astronomy/physicsmac-online-physics-competiti
  on.html
• Video Contest
• http//www.science.mcmaster.ca/macsci/outreach/phy
  sics-astronomy/physics-video-contest.html

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Online Physics Contest Statistics

• 262 teams (462 students), 24 schools
• 6 Grade 9-10, 36 Grade 11, 58 Grade 12
• Average Score 5 , Average Completion Time lt 50
  mins
• 294 teams (501 students), 21 schools
• 9 Grade 10, 44 Grade 11, 47 Grade 12
• Average Score 4, Average Completion Time lt 50
  mins
• 341 teams (566 students), 34 schools
• 3 Grade 10, 52 Grade 11, 45 Grade 12
• Average Score 5, Average Completion Time lt 50
  mins

2009 2010 2011
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Online Physics Contest - Feedback

• The kids really enjoyed the "doability" of the
  contest! PhysicsTeacher, TDSB
• This is a contest we would do again because all
  grade levels can do it to some level of
  proficiency and they have fun doing it. Physics
  Teacher, TDSB
• The students really did seem to like the contest.
   They were quite engaged with the questions,
  which really got them thinking.  What I liked the
  most about it was the discussion and sharing of
  opinions on the questions which took place.  Even
  some students who didn't sign up for the contest
  wanted to know what the questions were.  Physics
  Teacher HWDSB

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Online Physics Contest - Feedback

• We did this contest during class time today and
  it was very well received.  Students were
  enthusiastically discussing the possible
  solutions (and sometimes falling for the
  "foils"!), but still staying on task and having
  fun.   Physics Teacher, HWDSB
•  
• Thanks for running this contest for the students
  again.  It is really a fun one. Physics Teacher,
  TDSB
•  
•  Thank you for running this contest!  It's a
  wonderful opportunity for students to get
  involved!  Physics Teacher, YRDSB

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Online Physics Contest - Feedback

• There was very rich discussion amongst each team
  and a focus on critical thinking rather than
  number crunching and formula memorizing. Physics
  Teacher YRDSB
• Your approach makes perfect sense to me. A focus
  on understanding rather than formula-plugging is
  what we strive for, and it is a tough fight.
  Physics Teacher, TDSB
• I was a bit surprised to notice some of the
  misconceptions that the students argued for quite
  vigorously!  This could potentially give me a
  great new route to "get at" some of these
  misconceptions. Physics Teacher, HWDSB

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Online Physics Contest - Feedback

• It was intriguing to watch them work in their
  pairs, articulating their reasoning for
  solutions. That was very informative and
  valuable. Good stuff. Physics Teacher, YRDSB
• It's really interesting to see the way they
  discuss the things they have learned and try to
  apply their knowledge to new or slightly
  different situations. Physics Teacher, HWDSB
• Do you have explanations to all of the
  questions?  They're very good conceptual
  questions to ask on tests. Physics Teacher,
  HWCDSB
•  

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Video Contest

• Spring 2010
• Concept Electrical Potential Explain It To your
  Friends
• Eight good videos
• Fall 2010
• Concept Optics in Your Everyday Life
• Ten good videos
• Statistics/Trends
• Participation from 6 school boards
• 69 receiving Prizes or Honourable Mention were
  girls.

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McMasters Physics Astronomy Outreachwww.physic
s.mcmaster.ca, Outreach

• Community of Physics Teachers Meetings
• Physical Sciences_at_Mac Activities
• Engineering Science Olympics
• Physics_at_Mac Online Physics Contest
• Physics_at_Mac Video Contest
• Planetarium Shows
• 3D Theatre
• Origins Institute Public Lectures