In early December, some members of our team were able to spend some time with a class at Colorado Early Colleges, which happens to be one of Colorado’s first schools to utilize the Physics in a Box Program.
Danielle Springston is an educator who is passionate about ensuring her students have a high level of engagement in their learning. After beginning to use the program, Mrs. Springston said that she has even stopped using the textbook this semester because Physics in a Box has allowed her to teach with a more hands-on approach that has students grasping concepts easier than before.
During our time observing the students, we were able to see a high level of confidence when they were experimenting with the box. Not only were they more confident in their work but they showed genuine enthusiasm and excitement for the process. During our interview with the students, they spoke of how physics has become significantly more enjoyable since the use of the boxes in their classrooms.
It isn’t just the students and teachers who are finding the boxes to be beneficial, but higher-level educators as well. After concluding our time with the class, we were able to speak to the academic dean and head of school to get their take on the implementation of the program. Both were very positive and optimistic about how Physics in a Box would leave a lasting impact on students and push them to new levels of math and science understanding.
Jennifer Dougherty, a 5th year head of school, spoke not only about the benefits to students now, but to how these newly acquired skills students have will be vital for future career paths. This was huge because not only are we trying to teach physics as they do in Europe and Asia but we are also trying to create a better economic future for America by having more American’s take on jobs in the STEM field.
Colorado Early Colleges was one of the first schools to implement the physics in a box program but as we move forward into the new year, we are confident that we will see this program be applied in more and more districts
