A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Audience High school students who are taking a beginning physics course at any level.

Description The CASTLE curriculum emphasizes small-group, hands-on investigations and discussion of electric circuits which students construct themselves. It is unique among instructional materials in electricity because of its use of capacitors and transient bulb lighting. Circuits are constructed with components contained in student equipment kits; the investigations are guided by a student manual, which is duplicated and distributed in the classroom. The experiments developed in the curriculum provide varying levels of investigation: concrete experiences that challenge battery-centered misconceptions in electricity; sensory experiences that stimulate construction of a visualizable model of current propulsion; and experiments that reveal the anomalous presence of distant action in circuits in order to provoke model criticism and foster revision toward a complete expert model. A teacher resource manual provides homework and quizzes for each section, visual aids and supplementary activities as well as information about misconceptions, classroom management, equipment issues, cognitive research, history of concepts, and mathematical representation. Management activities are minimal: assigning activities in the student manual, tracking equipment kits, and supplying replacement batteries and light bulbs. CASTLE addresses National Educational Goals 3 and 5.

Evidence of Effectiveness Four claims of effectiveness were evaluated using multiple choice diagnostic pre- and post-tests that focused on conceptual questions. The diagnostic was administered to classes of three groups of teachers: those who developed the curriculum; those who were trained in the use of the curriculum; and "control" teachers who used the traditional electricity curriculum. Scores for the three groups were compared. Results showed that the curriculum improved understanding of and confidence with circuit concepts significantly more than traditional instruction; dramatically improved the confidence of females with circuit concepts; and could be implemented without significant loss of effectiveness to teachers who did not participate in its development.

Requirements A three-day teacher training workshop is required for successful adoption of the program. Training workshops are scheduled periodically around the nation.

Costs Costs for training workshops vary. Teachers must purchase the curriculum guide ($40), and the CASTLE equipment kits are necessary for student laboratory work. For optimum effectiveness, one equipment kit ($56) is required for every two students. Annual operating costs are $10 per student for batteries, light bulbs and duplication of the student manual. Equipment kits, curriculum guide, and auxiliary apparatus are purchased through PASCO Scientific, Roseville, CA.

Services Awareness materials are supplied without cost. Different levels of staff development training are available upon consultation.

Contact

Melvin S. Steinberg, Physics Department, Smith College, Northampton, MA 01063. (413) 585-3884, FAX (413) 585-3786. Camille L. Wainwright, Director of Teacher Education, Pacific University, Forest Grove, OR 97116. (503) 359-2205, FAX (503) 359-2907.

Developmental Funding: National Science Foundation
PEP No. 94-07 (4/1/94)

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