Bright beams of light stream from light-boxes, striking white paper on the tables. Mirrors are moved into the beams. The reflected beams also strike the paper. Lines are drawn along the beams. Angles are measured with protractors.
Pens quickly glide across pages.
Mirrors are moved and the process repeats. A perceptibly high energy level permeates the classroom. While this scenario would be quite unusual for a traditional physics course, it definitely captures a typical Physics 160 class. Physics professor, John Christopher, and methods professor, Ron Atwood, spearheaded reform efforts and changes in the elementary education program. Working with a chemistry professor, a geology professor, and two elementary classroom teachers, they designed two new courses, Physics 160 and Geology 160, specifically for elementary preservice teachers.