When: 8AM-11:30AM
Presenter and Host: Val Michael
Where:   Parkway Central High School Room 1006

Why:   Consider what you have learned so far in the workshops.   One of the overriding concepts is that students must develop mental models to relate ideas that explain the physical world.   Next consider your through lines.   I have two lines that I promote through the year.   The first is there is a model that describes motion that uses particles which are smaller than the path they travel.   Next I emphasize that energy transfer can be described using the particle model or the wave model.   Both concepts require the students develop a robust mental model of particles and waves.   Now ask yourself how do students visual all the complex wave structures involved in sound and light.   I submit that my students have benefited in their mental gymnastics from time spent viewing wave concepts in a ripple tank.   I am the proud user of six extremely old wave tanks that take me hours to set up.   I also have one new, fancy tank that still takes time to set up but is somewhat more reasonable.   I have found that working with students on the single tank is just as mentally stimulating as the full class set up.   So come to Central and we will work through the concepts that will develop mental models.   We will work multiple activities from the PTRA manual on ripple tanks.   Finally, I will demonstrate a simple make and take ripple tank for your perusal.   If you like it, we will set another workshop to do the make and take.   The cost of the workshop is $15 which will be submitted to AAPT for the cost of the manual.   Please let me know you are coming by calling 314-415-5957 or email vmichael@pkwy.k12.mo.us .   Got questions?   Call Val.

Directions:   Take I270 to Ladue Road west.   Stay on Ladue Rd. until the light at Ladue and 141.   Turn north on 141.   Turn into the school at the next light.   Drive to the front of the high school by turning left at the stop sign.   Park anywhere in front.   Come to the front doors and follow the signs to room 1006.