![](https://www.physport.org/images/guides/mop_cover_small.jpg)
Minds-On Physics
Developed by: William J. Gerace, Jose P. Mestre, Robert J. Dufresne, and William J. Leonard
Level
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middle schoolhigh schoolintro collegeinter-mediateupper levelgrad school other
![Intro College Calculus-based](../images/methods/icons/3.png)
calc based
![Intro College Algebra-based](../images/methods/icons/4.png)
alg based
![Intro College Conceptual](../images/methods/icons/5.png)
conceptual
![](../images/methods/blueLeftCap.png)
![](../images/methods/blueMainBar.png)
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![](../images/methods/grayRightCap.png)
![](../images/methods/blueLeftCap.png)
![](../images/methods/blueRightCap.png)
middle schoolhigh schoolintro collegeinter-mediateupper levelgrad school other
![Intro College Calculus-based](../images/methods/icons/3.png)
calc based
![Intro College Algebra-based](../images/methods/icons/4.png)
alg based
![Intro College Conceptual](../images/methods/icons/5.png)
conceptual
Topics
![Mechanics](../images/methods/icons/50.png)
![Electricity / Magnetism](../images/methods/icons/51.png)
![Waves / Optics](../images/methods/icons/52.png)
![Thermal / Statistical](../images/methods/icons/53.png)
![Mechanics](../images/methods/icons/50.png)
![Electricity / Magnetism](../images/methods/icons/51.png)
![Waves / Optics](../images/methods/icons/52.png)
![Thermal / Statistical](../images/methods/icons/53.png)
Setting
![Lecture - Large (30+ students)](../images/methods/icons/10.png)
![Lecture - Small (<30 students)](../images/methods/icons/14.png)
![Recitation/Discussion Session](../images/methods/icons/11.png)
![Lab](../images/methods/icons/12.png)
![Lecture - Large (30+ students)](../images/methods/icons/10.png)
![Lecture - Small (<30 students)](../images/methods/icons/14.png)
![Recitation/Discussion Session](../images/methods/icons/11.png)
![Lab](../images/methods/icons/12.png)
Overview
What? Activity-based curriculum for high school physics. Helps students to explore basic concepts, hone and link concepts, develop analysis and reasoning skills, learn to apply concepts in problem-solving situations and avoid rote procedures, and organize knowledge so that it is generally useful.
Student skills developed
Designed for:
- Conceptual understanding
- Problem-solving skills
- Using multiple representations
- Metacognition
Can be adapted for:
- Lab skills
- Making real-world connections
- Designing experiments
Instructor effort required
- Medium
Resources required
- Simple lab equipment
- Tables for group work
Resources
Developer's website: Minds-On Physics
Research
RESEARCH VALIDATION
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This is the third highest level of research validation, corresponding to:
- at least 1 of the "based on" categories
- at least 1 of the "demonstrated to improve" categories
- at least 1 of the "studied using" categories
Research Validation Summary
Based on Research Into:
- theories of how students learn
- student ideas about specific topics
Demonstrated to Improve:
- conceptual understanding
- problem-solving skills
- lab skills
- beliefs and attitudes
- attendance
- retention of students
- success of underrepresented groups
- performance in subsequent classes
Studied using:
- cycle of research and redevelopment
- student interviews
- classroom observations
- analysis of written work
- research at multiple institutions
- research by multiple groups
- peer-reviewed publication