Mar 28, 2024  
2012-2013 Official General Catalog 
    
2012-2013 Official General Catalog [Archived Catalog]

PHS 117 - Exploring Everyday Phenomena


This course uses activities that engage the students in hands-on learning of common physical concepts by experimentation.  The course will improve students’ perspectives and comfort with science while promoting scientific literacy.  There will be no distinction between lab and lecture since the activities are an integral part of the teaching and learning process in the course.  The methods and ideas of the course will usually be based on the use of commonly available materials.  Group-based activities include observations and measurements, solids, liquids, gases, heat, simple machines, magnets, static electricity and electrical devices.  Appropriate for Elementary Education and Early Childhood majors.

Credits: 4
Hours
3 Class Hours; 3 Laboratory Hours
Course Profile
Learning Outcomes of the Course:

Upon successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

1.  Make length, area, and volume measurements using standard metric units.
2.  Understand and be able to find the density of various types of materials.
3.  Understand and give evidence for the idea that matter consists of tiny particles called atoms.
4.  Understand the basic properties of solids, liquids, and gases.
5.  Understand that energy comes in many forms, is conserved, and may be converted from one form to another, but that the conversion will involve some losses in useful energy.
6.  Describe methods of heat transfer:  conduction, convection and radiation.
7.  Describe the operation of and the work, force, distance relationships involved in simple machines.
8.  Understand the results of simple experiments in electrostatics and magnetism.
9.  Understand the components of electrical circuits and be able to wire simple circuits.