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C O N F E R E N C E 12 May - 14 May 2011 |
Workshops
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John Atherton |
Building Bridges: Making the connection between Physics and Engineering |
"Textbooks have problems that relate to engineering; the problem with most of them is that they have solutions! The challenges presented in this session will relate to real world design and inquiry and each having the possibility of extension to a build and test project. Using whiteboards, participants will work in groups through a variety of design challenges: Car Crash Investigation Riding the Wall of Death The James Webb Telescope Space Station - Mars Wind turbine Bridge Building Trebuchet I will also be sharing resources that support trips to Wonderland and taking students flying. All resources will be made available to participants. " |
John Atherton gradated in Mechanical Engineering from Leeds University in the UK and immediately rolled up his sleeves and started working on large steam turbines as a commissioning engineer. Using this experience, he became a corporate boiler and machinery underwriter for many years which saw him visit many steel, pulp and paper mills across Canada. Not surprising then that his physics teaching has a strong connection with engineering. He has taught in the UK, Nigeria, Italy, British Columbia, Yellowknife and Toronto and spent the last 3 years as an Instructional Leader for the TDSB with a physics speciality. He now works at a new alternative high school noted by one its founders as "the only school like it in the world". He loves how the learning of physics can develop thinking skills which go way beyond the subject itself. In 2011 he received the Premier's Award of Excellence in Leadership |
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