Age of Silicon Workshop Resources
Click Here for this year's Workshop
details
Why has electronics and solid-state physics been treated
as after-thoughts in the physics curriculum? We found after
a brief survey of teachers round the Sydney area that few
teachers are taking up the option “Age of Silicon” due
to the combination of a lack of personal knowledge of the
subject area and a limited array of resources available
for the classroom.
This seems a shame as computer hardware and electrical engineering
are growth industries providing high starting salaries and
almost a 100% full-time employment rate for graduates. Preparing
students for study in these areas and other related fields
such as Optoelectronics, Communication Technology and Photonics,
can give students the edge in further physics study and the
foundation for a broad and interesting career.
So what is available for teacher professional development?
Macquarie University Information and Communication Sciences
Electronics Department is surveying Physics teachers to identify
the kinds of topics teachers need help with to encourage
them to take up the “Age of Silicon” option.
Dr. Rein Vesilo will conduct a weekend teacher workshop
based on the requirements teachers outline in the survey
feedback form.
It is a broad area to cover therefore it is required to
narrow the topics down to a short list to identify the areas
that most teachers need covered. Such as:
- Voltage/current/resistance
- Other and more complex circuit components - capacitors and relays
- Silicon technology, transistors and amplifier circuits
- Circuits with feedback
- Logic circuits
22-23
March: Age of Silicon Cost: $275 (inc. lunch)
This workshop addresses the needs of teachers who are interested
in the option "Age of Silicon". All teaching notes will
be provided, including hands-on activities.
Limited to 20 places only. Bookings Ph: 9850 9101
Enquiries: Vic Farrell 9850 9108
All notes, extra reading
material and full list of electronic components required
are available in a lever-arch folder
ready to study and teach from. We can mail you a copy of
this formidable resource for just $55.00 to cover postage,
printing and preparation. TO ORDER: Contact Vic Farrell Email: vfarrell@ics.mq.edu.au Ph: (02) 9850 9108.
Make out cheques/money orders to “Macquarie University”.
Fax to (02) 9850 9502 or Send to:
Victoria Farrell
High School Liaison
Division of Information and Communication Sciences
Ph:(02) 9850 9108
Fax(02) 9850 9502
vfarrell@ics.mq.edu.au
Workshop Details
The "Age of Silicon" option in the HSC Physics
curriculum is not familiar to many physics teachers and as
a consequence the option is often not taught in schools.
Nor, is there any assistance in the Excel Series HSC Physics
book. The aim of this workshop is to fill this gap and provide
teachers with assistance in this option. It aims to increase
knowledge of the option topics and provide activities and
resources which can be used for teaching and, so, increase
confidence in teaching the option.
We will cover most of the basic electronics concepts in
the HSC Physics "Age of Silicon" option in the workshop.
It will have a strong interactive and practical focus.
What workshop participants will get from this workshop will
include:
- Practical experience in understanding electronics concepts.
- Coverage of all major components in "Age of
Silicon" curriculum.
- An interactive environment to discuss practical teaching
approaches and equipment.
- A comprehensive Cookbook of resources for the entire
option topic.
From our survey of teachers' backgrounds in electronics,
some teachers have not been involved in Electronics
teaching or study since their university or college
days. Others
have had a piecemeal approach learning on the job
or as a hobby.
As many teachers have only a little knowledge, our
first aim is build up core knowledge and expertise
in the relevant
electronics areas. At times this will refresh what
was learnt earlier and at times new knowledge will
be covered.
If you
have never done electronics before the combination
of practical work, discussion and mixing with others
is
a good way to
get started. For those who have more experience
we hope it will refine what you already know and help
provide
useful resources and activities which you can use. Confirm your place in the workshop by contacting:
Victoria Farrell
High School Liaison
Ph:(02) 9850 9108
Fax(02) 9850 9502
vfarrell@ics.mq.edu.au
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