2014

STAV/AIP

Physics Teachers Conference

It is wrong to think that the task of physics is to find out how Nature is. Physics concerns what we say about Nature. Niels Bohr

Where do I sit?

Please sit at the Table Number on your Name Tag

To foster networking, the others at your table are teachers from nearby schools.

Program ChangesSessions cancelled:

A9, A14 B9, B13, B15, C6, C7, C13, C15, C16 D8, D14E6, E11F2G3

.

The more success the quantum theory has, the sillier it looks. Albert Einstein - 1912

Workshop A16: Synchrotron Tour

Car Pooling?

To: Those who have booked A16,

if you wish to car pool, meet at the lectern

after the discussion session.

Where are the new Physics Labs?

The old 1st Year Physics Labs have gone. The new ones are on the ground floor of Building 27.

The entrances are off the lobby to the S5 lecture theatre.

Check the map on the back of the program for directions.

Wireless AccessConnect to SSID: guest-wireless

Username: ext-stavphy

Password: physics2014

The number of users online is limited, so please log off when finished.

Laptop locker keys: Available at Registration.

Sessions: C12 & E8Chief Assessor’s Report

Please Note: The purpose of this session to provide feedback to teachers on how their students performed on last year’s exam.

It is not the place for comment on the exam or specific questions. Such concerns should be directed to the Examinations Branch, VCAA.

What’s in your folder?

AIP Newsletter

• Events for students and teachers

• What does the Committee do?

• Map of website vicphysics.org

Notepad and Evaluation slips

AIP Travelling Scholarship

• The AIP Education Committee is offering a scholarship to support one teacher to attend an international Physics Teachers Conference during 2014 and January 2015.

• The scholarship is worth up to $2000.

• Applications to AIP Ed Comm by 2nd May.

• Check www.vicphysics.org/scholarship.html for further details and possible conferences.

AIP Support for Beginning Physics Teachers

Support for:• First Year Outs• Those returning to Physics teaching• Those asked to take on a Physics class

Two Programs:1. In-Service Program2. Mentor Scheme

AIP Support of Beginning Physics Teachers

1. In-Service Program

• Day in-service: Monday 7th April

• Venue: Brunswick Secondary College.

• Cost: None; Travel support for country participants.

• To apply: www.vicphysics.org/support.html

One does not, by knowing all the physical laws as we know them today, …

AIP Support of Beginning Physics Teachers

2. Mentor Scheme• The AIP Education Committee will fund several retired

teachers to work with ‘beginning physics teachers’.

• They will be available for one meeting during each of Terms 1, 2, 3 and 4 and be available for regular phone and email contact.

• To apply www.vicphysics.org/support.html

… immediately obtain an understanding of anything much.- Richard Feynman

Physics Equipment GrantsThe AIP (Vic Branch) Education Committee plans to use some of its funds to provide essential physics equipment to under-resourced schools with negligible equipment budgets.

Schools will need to apply by the last Friday of Term 1.

Grants will be made later in the year.

Check the handout for more details.

Victorian Young Physicists’ Tournament (VYPT)

For: Year 10 and 11 students, in teams of three.

What do they do?

• conduct three open-ended experimental investigations,

• prepare reports, and ..

Victorian Young Physicists’ Tournament (VYPT)

Then in competition in December…

• They describe and defend their methods, results and analysis,

• They challenge the reports of other teams.

Victorian Young Physicists’ Tournament (VYPT)

Topics for 2014

1.Conductivity of pencil lines: The lines, drawn by so-called ‘lead’ pencils, conduct electricity. Investigate the factors that determine the resistance of the line.

2. Bouncing ball If you hold a Ping-Pong ball above the ground and release it, it bounces. The nature of the collision changes if the ball contains liquid. Investigate how the nature of the collision depends on the amount of liquid inside the ball and other relevant parameters.

3. Rubber motor A twisted rubber band stores energy and can be used to power a model aircraft, for example. Investigate the properties of such an energy source and how its power output changes with time.

AIP 2014 Photo Contest

• Open to students only,

• Students may enter more than one photo,

• Prize pool: up to $1000,

• Closing date: First day Term 4,

• Judging by panel.

AIP 2014 Video Contest

• Open to students in Victorian schools.• Topic: Students are encouraged to video a discussion

between two or more students regarding Climate Change in which some students ask FAQs and the other students answer the questions explaining the Science involved with or without visual aid, à la Veritasium

• Max: Three minutes of video• Prize pool: up to $1000 per category• Closing date: First Day of Term 4

If this sticker is blue, you're driving too fast

Physics Days at Luna ParkThe dates for 2014 are: Tues 4th March (FULL)Weds 5th March (FULL) and Thurs 6th March (FULL). Cost $23.95 per student. Open from 10:30am until 2:30pm.Worksheets / videos are available

www.vicphysics.org/lunaworksheets.html Special Features:• RAAF Roulettes Aerobatics Display on each day at 10:00.00am

on nearby St Kilda beach, • Synchrotron Tour before or after.

BOOKINGS CLOSED

Using Satellite Data in the ClassroomMorning Tea offering:

Paul Butler has used FUNcube data in the classroom. The data can be easily accessed by an iPad.

To find out more, see Paul at Table 4 during Morning Tea. Handouts available.

Physics Manual for Lab TechsThe Laboratory Technicians Association of Victoria (LTAV) has produced a book of advice on physics equipment for lab techs, 75 pages in length.

It can be purchased from LTAV for $23 for the CD and black and white hard copy.

Check out http://www.ltav.org.au/

Joining the AIPAssociate membership: $103 per year

Benefits:

• Physics Teachers’ Conference discount

• ‘Australian Physics’ magazine, 6 per year.

• Reciprocal membership with Institute of Physics (UK) among others (reduced rate for joint membership).

http://www.aip.org.au/info/

AIP Education CommitteeWho are they?

A committee of physics teachers, teacher educators and academics.

When & where do they meet?Next at University High School, 11th March, 5pm–7pm.Teachers are encouraged to attend meetings, contact Sue Grant, the chairperson at susanmgrant1@bigpond.com

AIP Education CommitteeWhat do they do?

• Liaise with VCAA on curriculum matters,• Distribute an email newsletter to physics teachers

several times each term,• Administer a website of resources for teachers:

www.vicphysics.org ,• Prepare a detailed review of the VCE Physics Exam,• Plan this STAV/AIP Physics Teachers Conference, and

other PD activities,• Organise physics activities for students, such as the

Competitions and Physics Days at Luna Park.

AIP Education CommitteeWho comes to meetings?

Gary Bass Retired

Theo Hughes Monash University

Chris Bowen Caulfield Grammar (WH)

Barbara McKinnon John Monash Sci S

Keith Burrows Retired

Shane McLean St Margaret’s School

Milorad Cerovac King David School Oscar Menuel St Michael’s GS

Neil Champion Buckley Park SC Bronwyn Quint Hoppers Crossing SC

Gary Cohen Retired Dan O'Keeffe Retired

Paul Cuthbert University High School Alan Reynolds Retired

Jonathan de Booy Aust Synchrotron Frances Sidari Lakeview SC

Russell Downie PLC Dianne Wilkinson Box Hill HS

Sue Grant Box Hill Institute and you?

Colin Hopkins Bialik College

AIP Education CommitteePhysics News by Email

An electronic newsletter is sent to over 1000 physics teachers about once a fortnight.

To be a recipient, email the AIP at danok@bigpond.com

Useful resources from previous emails are at www.vicphysics.org/news.html

Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible. Lord Kelvin

Radio has no future. - Lord Kelvin

Physics: Know your world to change your world

My goal is simple. It is complete understanding of the universe, why it is as it is and why it exists at all. - Stephen Hawking

X-rays will prove to be a hoax. Lord Kelvin

Physics is like sex, it produces valuable results, but that is not why we do it. - Richard Feynman

Physics is great - 40 orders of magnitude can’t be wrong

Stand on the shoulders of giants - get a physics degree