Intended Audience

PRISMS Project
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0150

We believe that an appropriate level of physics should be taught to students in grades ten through twelve who have completed at least one year of algebra. The PRISMS program would be especially appropriate for the above students who are not highly motivated to take a college preparatory course in physics and who do not exhibit fully formal reasoning characteristics. Often only the most capable students are encouraged to enroll in physics. This program seeks to make physics accessible to a greater number of students, including minorities and women to enable them to have better access to science related careers. This expanded audience is also important to move the United States toward the National Education Goals 2000 of having our students be first in science achievement at the international level by the turn of the century.

This program is also appropriate for upper level and advanced placement students taking physics so they can see the application of concepts of physics related to many of their experiences. To understand science/physics means to be involved in constructing understandings from observations which is the essence of science. It is important for gifted students to also become involved in more open inquiry laboratory experiences if they are to understand the kind of intellectual interests that are associated with scientific work which cannot be experienced in textbook driven courses.

The PRISMS guide is designed to be useful to inexperienced physics teachers as well as those with more background and experience in physics instruction. There are teaching notes that give teachers assistance in understanding and communicating the significant concepts in physics. All teachers find it helpful to have guidance in how lessons are to be taught to optimize the potential to develop reasoning and science process skills.

PRISMS | College of Natural Sciences | University of Northern Iowa | cns-computing-support

Copyright © 1997 College of Natural Sciences. All Rights Reserved.
Last Modified 1/15/97