Packing Slip 
item |
Energy and Thermodynamics (2000-2001 SyRIS Module) |
contact |
Karen Conzelman (Glendale Community College) karen.ann.conzelman@gcmail.maricopa.edu |
credits |
Cheryl Dellai (Physics) Lisa Diebolt (Chemistry) Bronwen Steele (Biology) |
college(s) |
Glendale Community College |
discipline(s) |
Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
summary |
A hands-on module designed to enable biology, chemistry, and physics students to construct the fundamental concepts of thermodynamics from concrete experiences. |
details |
Energy is a difficult topic for most non-science majors, at least in part, because it is not something tangible. Many non-science majors at the community college are still at Piaget's concrete level of reasoning, and consequently mathematical analyses, which help abstract thinkers to understand these concepts, are virtually meaningless to these students. The goal of this module is to develop the central concepts of thermodynamics using a constructivist approach that incorporates hands on activities in both classroom and laboratory components of a course. Since thermodynamics is a topic central to all scientific disciplines, this module, although designed with the non-science major in mind, should be adaptable to a wide variety of courses including those intended for majors. Such a module has the potential to help concrete thinkers better understand some fairly abstract concepts. It may also provide instructional materials that would increase the confidence and effectiveness of faculty in teaching these concepts. This module uses simple hands-on activities (e.g., rolling marbles up and down hills, shaking containers of sand) to give students concrete experiences of fundamental thermodynamic concepts. From these first hand experiences, central concepts are developed and articulated in an accompanying inquiry-based dialogue. The associated laboratory exercise allows students to use a simple calorimetric device to explore the caloric content of various foods. These data are compared to the foods' nutritional calorimetric values and compositions. Questions in the laboratory exercise encourage students to make connections between their laboratory work and the concepts of thermodynamics developed in the classroom. Note! As a professional courtesy to the owner of this package, if you use some aspect of this package or have some thoughts about it, please share your feedback via the comments form below. |
web links |
http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/syris/ http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/syris/modules/index.php?yr=0001&id=4 |
supplements |
Energy and Thermodynamics: Student Materials, Exercises, and Exeriments (document) Energy and Thermodynamics: Instructor Notes (document) Bronwen Steele demonstrates entropy concept with styrofoam cups (image) Note! As a professional courtesy to the owner of this package, if you use some aspect of this package or have some thoughts about it, please share your feedback below. |
shareback |
A "Shareback" cites the places on the web that mention, reference, or use this MLX package, and "shares" that information back here (more about shareback...) Sharebacks can be generated automatically by weblog tools. |
extra |
Last modified: Nov-06-2002 Date created: Nov-06-2002 Visitor count: 5177 Dublin Core Metadata record  This package is included in the Systemic Reform In Science (SyRIS) Modules special collection. |
Maricopa Learning eXchange
http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/mlx/slip.php?item=401
