Creating a Performance-Based Physics Program for Introductory Physics and Astronomy Classes Using the SCALE-UP Model of Teaching Physics

该项目的目标是实施北卡罗莱纳州立大学开发的以学生为中心的大型招生大学项目（SCALE-UP）。目标是提高学生对物理学和天文学的概念理解，解决问题的能力，以及对物理学和科学本质的理解。过去15年的物理教育研究表明，与传统的教学模式相比，学生在积极的学习环境中学习和记住的东西要多得多，尤其是与传统的礼堂讲座相比。SCALE-UP项目在提高学生对物理的概念理解、对科学本质的欣赏、解决问题的能力和提高记忆力方面取得了成功。SCALE-UP为小型和大型招生课程提供了一种以工作室物理格式教授入门物理和天文学课程的方法。这一努力与学院的使命宣言，人文与科学学院的战略计划，以及物理系的使命和目标是一致的。该项目正在使用各种已经开发的物理和天文学材料，并建立一个SCALE-UP物理和天文学设施。它使用并开发了阅读测验、讨论问题、小型调查和实验的组合。目前正在与“扩大规模”项目的开发人员密切合作编写教材，以便将新教材纳入“扩大规模”在线课程数据库。该项目的结果是开发了扩展SCALE-UP的教学材料，包括入门天文学。该项目的智力价值在于，它显著改善了最重要的入门级物理和天文学教学，并通过实施SCALE-UP技术，为天文学教育研究领域做出了重大贡献。整个物理和天文学院都在参与实施这个计划。这个项目更广泛的影响是增加了学生对物理和天文学的概念理解，解决问题的能力，以及对科学本质的理解。此外，通过采用优于传统材料的主动学习材料，课程材料正在促进教师的发展。这些方法也被证明可以增加保留代表性不足的群体，包括妇女和少数民族。该项目的成果将提高非理工科学生的科学素养，为建设科学素养更高的社会做出贡献。

The goal of this project is to implement the Student Centered Activities for Large Enrollment University Programs (SCALE-UP) developed at North Carolina State University. The objectives are to increase students' conceptual understanding of physics and astronomy, problem solving abilities, and understanding of the nature of physics and of science in general. The past fifteen years of Physics Education Research has shown that students learn and retain significantly more in active learning environments when compared to traditional models of teaching, particularly to the traditional lecture in an auditorium. The SCALE-UP program has demonstrated success at increasing students' conceptual understanding of physics, appreciation for the nature of science, problem solving abilities, and increasing retention. SCALE-UP offers a way of teaching introductory physics and astronomy classes in a studio physics format for both small and large-enrollment courses. This effort is consistent with the College's mission statement, the strategic plan of the School of Humanities and Sciences, and the mission and goals of the Physics Department.The project is using a variety of physics and astronomy materials already developed and building a SCALE-UP physics and astronomy facility. It is using and developing a combination of Reading Quizzes, Discussion Questions, Mini-Investigations, and Experiments. Development of materials is being done in close collaboration with the SCALE-UP developers to facilitate the inclusion of new materials in the SCALE-UP online curriculum database. A result of the project is the development of instructional materials extending SCALE-UP to include introductory astronomy. The intellectual merit of this project is that it significantly improves physics and astronomy instruction at the introductory level where it matters the most, and makes significant contributions to the field of Astronomy Education Research by implementing SCALE-UP techniques. The entire physics and astronomy faculty is participating in implementing the plan. The broader impact of this project is an increase in students' conceptual understanding of physics and astronomy, problem solving ability, and understanding of the nature of science. Additionally, curriculum materials are enhancing faculty development through the adoption of active learning materials that are superior to traditional materials. These methods have also been shown to increase retention of underrepresented groups, including women and minorities. The results of this project lead to an increase in the science literacy of non-science majors, contributing to a more science literate society.