Secondary Science:A Proposed Change:

A Logical, Coherent & Effective Sequencethat has Physics First

Dr. Timothy C. Burgess

McGill-Toolen High School

Mobile, Alabama

Committee of TenNational Education Association

1892Recommendations Regarding Physics:

• The study of chemistry should precede the study of physics.

• The study of physics should be pursued the last year of high school.

Reasons for Traditional Biology-Chemistry-PhysicsSequence at Turn of Century

Start with biology because:1. Relied mostly on memorization2. Required almost no mathematics

Reasons for Traditional Biology-Chemistry-PhysicsSequence at Turn of Century

Follow with chemistry because:1. Relied mostly on memorization and

detailed experimental procedures2. Required only modest amounts of

mathematics

Reasons for Traditional Biology-Chemistry-PhysicsSequence at Turn of Century

Make physics last because:1. Required greater mathematical

fluency2. Relied heavily on problem solving,

analysis, and critical thinking

Final Reasoning for Traditional Biology-Chemistry-Physics

Sequence at Turn of Century in US

Make physics last because:1. Prior to 1930’s only students going to

college were around in senior year and physics was seen as an “egg head” topic

2. Many students in 9th grade were farmers/hunters in 1880’s who could use biology in practical ways

Physics First: Not a New Idea• Physics and the High School Sophomore (Hamilton, 1970)• Physics in the Tenth Grade (Sousanis, 1971)• The Illogic of Teaching Biology Before Chemistry and Physics

(Palombi, 1971)• Take Physics to Ninth Graders With Budget Savers (TPT,

1974)• High School Physics Should be Taught Before Chemistry and

Biology (Haber-Schaim, 1984)• Physics Before Chemistry (Bolton, 1987)• A Case for a Better High School Science Sequence in the 21st

Century (Myers, 1987)• Freshman Physics (Hickman, 1990)• Effect of Ninth Grade Physics (Glasser, 1999)

Haber-Schaim Article

• Average of 23 Chemistry Prerequisites in Biology Textbooks

• Average of 31 Physics Prerequisites in Chemistry Textbooks

• No Biology Prerequisites in Physics Textbooks

• Average of 2 Chemistry Prerequisites in Physics Textbooks

Nobel Winner on current Secondary Science Sequence:

A 19th century person would be overwhelmed by the changes in transport, every technology and in

every aspect of life. The only place largely unchanged is in the

Science Sequence of our Secondary Schools! -Dr.

Leon Letterman

[Note: Numerous Nobel winners have signed on to encourage a “Physics 1st” secondary science sequence in US]

Journal of Chemical Educationon present Secondary Science Sequence:

“…biology and then chemistry prior to physics is a curriculum sequence that teaches

without understanding, that lends itself to memorization without meaning, and that

slows the understanding of biological concepts that require a solid foundation in

physics and chemistry.“

Dr. Diana Mason- Chemistry Professor

Biology Teacher Chuck Collison Biology before and after “Physics

First”:

“this new sequence is fabulous…juniors are much better prepared to deal with biology at

the molecular level”

Note: Rex Rice reports that Biology teachers “initially resisted the change in sequence “

- reported at http://modeling.asu.edu/listserv/Physics1st-ClaytonHS2_03.pdf

OUR FOCUS:

What is the best we can do for our students at

McGill-Toolen Catholic High School?

Advantages of TeachingPhysics to Freshmen

(Hickman, 1990)

• Freshmen are enthusiastic and motivated

• Algebra is current in student minds

• Science sequence is coherent and sequential

• Increased interest in quantitative applications

• Enrollment increases in A.P. Sciences

• Performance in all A.P. sciences improve

• AP Biology can be the first biology course if physics and chemistry have been studied

Disadvantages of TeachingPhysics to Freshmen

(Hickman, 1990)

• Requires versatile science teachers for transition years• Opposition to change from “proven” sequence by

parents, teachers, administrators, school boards• Freshmen are more active, noisier, less coordinated• Measurement and estimation skills are not good• Trigonometry has not been studied• Problems of transition of from middle school to high

school level course• Lack of problem solving and test taking skills

Implementing “Physics First” at McGill-Toolen High School

• A ¼ Physics class is already in place foreshadowing the concerns about needing physics

• Strong biological sciences tradition• A fourth year of required science in recent years• Variety of biology related sciences concurrent with

senior level Physics• Strong business/industry support for shift to

quantitative physical sciences• Best students largely ready for Physics-Chemistry-

Biology sequence

Does 9th grade PhysicsReplace Physics in the

Senior Year?• No! Not the same the goals!• Physics in Freshman year is foundation of Science

curriculum generating interest & experiences• Physics in the Senior year is improved and can now

explore a broader range of topics.• Physics enrollment in Senior year typically averages

about 20 to 25% of the student body.• All students get some physics in 9th grade! -reported by staff of Clayton High School, MO

Results

• Freshman physics makes chemistry more meaningful/understandable

• Biology teachers ecstatic about changes • 100% enrollment in Physics• Students, Teachers, Parents, and School Board are

happy with the change. • A.P. Physics “worked” as a one-year course since

students entered with a physics background.• More students took two or more A.P. science

courses since many were able to take A.P. Biology as a first-year course

- Rice (1998 at Clayton HS, Missouri)

Research & BroadlyVerified Results

• Students study more science and take more challenging science courses

• Improved scores on standardized tests including AP, SAT II

• Improved mathematics understanding and achievement

• Enrollments that are more balanced by gender and race

• Increased student interest for careers in science, technology, and engineering

-reported by Ewald, Hickman & Myers (2005)

McGill-Toolen High SchoolChallenges

• The ONLY Catholic high school in district• About 1000 students in grades 9-12• Mixed socioeconomic population• Mixed academic preparations• Regional vocational and professional

opportunities in flux• New science facilities coming on line (the

perfect time for a change?)

KEYS TO SUCCESS& OPPORTUNITIES

• Teachers formally prepared, trained and confident are required

• Exposure of the staff to successful programs

• Unique opportunity to match new sequence with capital improvement!

• Unique opportunity to correlate topics in theology with science curriculum

Brother Mathias (McGill-Toolen physics teacher in 1980’s) had something right with his experiment based class:

All students are served by a year filled with experiences and opportunities for physical analysis.

This proposal is meant to honor that firm belief.

The Senior year science course will be a course of interest that requires the use of higher level cognitive skills and reasoning.

McGill-Toolen Catholic is in a position toseize opportunities with new facilities

and to ALSO be a regional leaderin the reordering of the science curriculum.