Hi Ho! It's Off to School We Go!

PROGRAM: Hi Ho! It's Off to School We Go! is a multi-dimensional project in which each student is asked to analyze their daily trip to school using kinematic formulas, distance-time graphs, and scaled vector diagrams. This project was designed to incorporate and extend the principles of kinematics and vectors included in the New York State Regents Physics Curriculum. This project also enables students to recognize connections between physics and real world applications. The project is interdisciplinary using mathematical ideas and techniques such as scaling, metric conversions, and protractor use. Some activities include timing a daily trip to school, using maps to find distance and direction and graphically representing data. Most activi ties are done as the academic material is taught and reviewed in the classroom. The final product is a compilation of information presented in either a written (report) or visual (poster) format. The project should be completed over a two week period with time provided in class for working with the maps and clarification questions.

THE STUDENTS: Approximately ninety 10th and 12th grade students of various ability levels enrolled in a Regents Physics class participated in this program. The program could be modified for lower grades by simplifying some of the mathematical and vector aspects or by letting the entire class work on the project together.

THE STAFF: Anne Pater Uglum has taught science and math for the past four years and is currently teaching Regents Physics. She has developed an integrated science program for use with alternative education students in Cupertino, CA, and was published in the San Jose Tech Museum of Innovators. This is her first year teaching Regents Physics in New York.

MATERIALS: Protractors, rulers, graph paper, large maps (with scales) of the local area, poster paper, stopwatches/timers and a calculator are required to complete the calculations and draw the necessary vector diagrams. Class sets of the materials are recommended with students encouraged to perform timing activities as homework.

OUTSIDE RESOURCES: None were used, but the cooperation of a mathematics teacher would be helpful.

OVERALL VALUE: Hi Ho! It's Off to School We Go! is an effective and fun way to provide a real-world and hands-on experience with a topic that is often difficult for students to understand. Students are also able to tie together various components of physics and see the connections between them.

RECOMMENDED FUNDING: Approximately $100 will cover the cost of a class set of rulers, protractors, graph paper, a sufficient number of stopwatches. The large maps can be found in local bookstores and prices will vary.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

DEVELOPER: Anne Pater Uglum

SCHOOL:

New Rochelle High School
265 Clove Road
New Rochelle, NY 10801
(914) 576-4500

PRINCIPAL: Donald Baughman

DISTRICT: New Rochelle City School District

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