This Website is Nat Woodruff's final project for EDUC647M: Making and Makerspaces in Education.
The Benefits of Integrating Maker (Engineering) Projects into Physics Classrooms
Traditionally physics classes tend towards being very theoretical, there is little time devoted toward engineering design projects apart from the occasional egg drop or mousetrap car competition. However, very few students from high school physics classes go on to study theoretical physics; therefore, most of these students would benefit from physics being taught with a more practical approach-- where student use physics concepts to solve engineering challenges. This approach has the added benefit that students learn the engineering design process and gain "building' confidence (confidence that they can design and build things). Learning to design and build is a 21st century core competency that US students need to be successful in the modern world. Maybe more importantly, integrating engineering projects into physics courses keeps the courses fun and engaging. This website presents a rationale for a practical approach to teaching physics and provides examples for how to integrate engineering design projects into your physics classes-- so let's get started and MAKE it happen.
Contact Nat Woodruff at nwoodruff@umass.edu to get more information on the project