Teaching Modern Physics - QuarkNet - Fermilab

II. Intended Activities and Approximate Timeline
A. Introduce project to students (< 1 period).
1. Teacher introduces SkyServer website.
2. Teacher shows students (via projection) the types of projects available.
3. While quickly advancing through possible projects, teacher identifies physics already
studied including: spectral lines, stars, galaxies, rotations, Doppler shift, etc.
4. Explain final product to students:
a. Work in groups of two.
b. Select project topic:
1. Looking for project on the order of 4-5 hours of “estimated time” to complete.
2. Show students how they can find estimated time by looking to the teacher
information.
B. Show students suggestions for shortening longer projects to the 4-5 hour time
frame, also found within teacher information.
5. Students form groups of two.
B. Explain expectations for student product (< 1 period).
1. Students will document all work in a scientific lab book. Lab book entries will
include:
a. Notes from introductory materials.
b. Work from all exercises completed in lab book including:
1. Data tables
2. Sketches
3. Calculations
4. All questions from project written in lab book
5. Student responses to each question
6. Printouts of all Excel spreadsheets and graphs glued into lab book
c. List of items still confusing to student following completion of activity.
2. Grading rubric: See Section III.
C. Student groups work in computer lab to complete project (~3-4 periods).
D. Groups prepare to share ONE interesting item from their project (< 1 period).
E. Groups share their item with the class (~1 period).
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