Experts in unfreezing the introductory physics curriculum

Ruth Chabay, NC State

Ruth, co-author of Matter and Interactions, presented at AAPT 2012-02-07. Says different sequence requires different pedagogical approach to each topic, and M&I requires different-from-others assessments.

Charlie Holbrow

author of Modern Introductory Physics.

Don Holcomb, Cornell U.

Don calls for 'thawing the frozen curriculum.' A principal in IUPP in the 90s, worked with Colgate U and others to try.

Bruce Sherwood, NC State

co-author of Matter and Interactions, has trained several high school teachers who use M&I in AP C courses, or private schools.

Thomas Moore, Pomona College

Tom wrote the six-volume textbook Six Ideas that Shaped Physics, which can be used in different orders. See photos from AAPT 2012-02. Not just an author, Tom stresses the importance of course design.

Mark P. Haugan, Purdue U.

Starting in 2000 Purdue started using Matter and Interactions by Chabay and Sherwood with physics majors. Purdue physics has also converted engineering courses. The physics department is a leader, inspiring all Purdue STEM fields to rethink their introductory courses away from their traditional lectures.

Marcos (Daniel) Caballero, UC Colorado Boulder

Daniel studies the use of Matter and Interactions at Georgia Tech since 2006. See, for example, Comparing the Matter and Interactions Curriculum with a Traditional Physics Curriculum: A Think Aloud Study. http://arxiv.org/abs/1011.5449

Benjamin L. Brown, Marquette U. Milwaukee, WI.

Formerly at Principia, has used Six Ideas That Shaped Physics at both. Six Ideas is credited for greatly increasing enrollment at both Principia and Marquette. Using Six Ideas freshman year has helped raise the level of the sophomore level class, and helped prepare more students to do undergraduate research as juniors and seniors.

Catherine Mader, Hope College

Tom Moore recommends Cathy as someone who is doing a lot to convert Six Ideas That Shaped Physics for an algebra-based course for colleges.

Alex Robinson, Thornapple Kellogg High School

Alex teaches Energy, momentum, forces by interaction, dynamics forces/acceleration, kinematics, motion.

Donald Smith, Guilford College

Smith teaches an introductory course that begins with modern physics, building and falsifying models, following 20th century developments. One student of Don's said something like "It felt like I was discovering quarks right alongside the original discoverers."