Indicates a research-demonstrated benefit

Physical Science and Everyday Thinking

Overview

PSET is a one semester, guided-inquiry physical science course that incorporates extensive small group and whole class discussion and Laboratory work to help students develop a deep conceptual understanding of big ideas in physical science (including Newton's Second Law, the Law of Conservation of Energy and Atomic-Molecular Theory). PSET also incorporates specific activities that focus on the nature of science and the nature of learning.

	Type of Method	Full curriculum
	Level	Designed for: Teacher Preparation Can be adapted for: Teacher Professional Development
	Setting	Designed for: Studio, Lecture - Small (<30 students) Can be adapted for: Lab
	Coverage	Few topics with great depth
	Topics	Mechanics, Electricity / Magnetism, Thermal / Statistical
	Instructor Effort	Medium
	Resource Needs	Projector in class, Computers for student use in class, Computers for student use outside of class, Lab equipment for student use - professional, Cost for students, Tables arranged for group work
	Skills	Designed for: Conceptual understanding of physics content, Reflecting on one's own learning Can be adapted for: Think like a scientist, Understanding how physics relates to the real world, Enjoyment of physics, Representing knowledge in multiple ways
	Research Validation	Based on research into: how students learn, student ideas about specific topics Demonstrated to improve: scores on multiple choice conceptual tests, beliefs about physics Studied using: conceptual pre/post exams, beliefs pre/post exams, video of students
	Compatible Methods	PhET, JiTT, Physlets, SCALE-UP, OSP, LA Program, CPU
	Similar Methods	PBI, PET, LEPS
	Developer(s)	Fred Goldberg, Rebecca Kruse, Steve Robinson, Valerie Otero and Nephi Thompson
	Website	http://cpucips.sdsu.edu/web/pset/