Physics First Time Line


The timeline below was provided at the time the supporting website was launched.  It detailed the efforts to implement Physics First at an urban Catholic High School of 1100 students.
===================================
Date(s)
Activity relating to Science Sequence

13.6 Billion BCE
Birth of Physics from the initial “Big Bang”with high temperatures, density and relativistic speeds (based on standard model & background radiation readings.)

13.7 Billion BCE
Birth of chemistry and estimated time of the formation of the atom (mostly Hydrogen based on simulations using the standard model of early universe) and the birth of Chemistry.

3.5 Billion BCE
Birth of Biology from estimated time of simple single cell organisms called prokaryotes (from earliest fossil evidence).

1893 
Committee of Ten determines and states optimal instructional order of sciences in United States Secondary schools to be Biology, Chemistry and then Physics

1903
Photoelectric Effect paper by Einstein lays groundwork for physics explaining chemistry, electron ejection energies and spectral analysis.

1906
American Societies for Experimental Biology formed to advance the sciences of bio-chemistry and molecular biology using experimental method.

1975-1982
“Inquiry Physical Science” (IPS) program for MT freshman) appeared associated with achievement (Presidential Scholars) as indicated by Mr. Bill Lee, former principal of McGill-Toolen High School

1984
The Physics Teacher journal publishes "Physics before Chemistry" article proposing high school science sequence (Haber-Schaim)

4/4/06
Exploration 1:  “Physics First” mentioned in meeting with Principal (M.Haas) and President (Fr.Shields) who agreed change could go through appropriate channels.

11/18/06
New building designed to serve projected Physics First course sequence.  Architect describes science building plan with one physics lab.  One more room for physics requested based on projected new curriculum.

12/13/07
Exploration 2:  MT President, Principal, Teacher, Science Co-Chair & Curriculum Supervisor discuss feasibility of science curriculum change at MT to “Physics First.”

12/13-15/07
Exposure:  Email to staff specifically describes new sequence of Physics First. Personal discussion.  Websites and research notations provided.

1/2/07
Formal Research Presentation I: Presentation of research to science staff and counselors. “Physics First” curriculum (PFC) with emphasis on experience (at local schools), research (in journals) and on a school implementing PFC similar to MT (Clayton High, MO).  Open Discussion

1/8/07
Formal Presentation II:  Presentation of research to science staff after school (some chose to attend differentiated learning session.)  Presentation focused on research from journals and opponent views of  “Physics First Sequence”.  Open Discussion

1/24/07
Final Presentation & Staff Vote: Formal presentation of research to science staff, administrative staff (Chair of Mathematics) and counselors. Counselor Ellen Falzini presented expected student routing through the curriculum proposed.  Open Discussion provided & Vote by Science Staff Only:                                              
Physics Freshman Level Course?                         Yes:12    No:0
Year to Start?                                           07-08:4    08-09:8    09-10:0
Committee Implementation?                                Yes:10     No:1
Implementation Timing:                              Immediate:8    Phased:3
Sequence (All levels=Ph-Ch-Bio)                        Full:10    Partial:1

1/31/07
Research New Sequence "Burn In":  Science teacher provides analysis of subject by level enrollment over for the 4-year implementation period . 

2/9/07
Selection II: Principal directs Co-Chairs to plan assignment changes & training given inverted sequence projections.  

2/10/07
Architect Liason: Informed of new sequence (with expected student load changes.)  Physics labs increased to 3 of 8 rooms in new building (was 1 of 8).

2/16/07
Central Office: curriculum supervisor advised about timeline, state course of study, projected plans for new sequence mailed and emailed

3/1/07
Teachers Recruited: Teachers volunteer as freshman physics teachers committed to summer training in 2007-8  + implementation duties.

5/16/07
Final Training Budgets planned with curricular supervisor  for summer training over a 3 weeks in Physics content and methodology.  Teachers provided expenses (to be reimbursed.)

5/18/07
Training commitments:  One teacher agrees to 3 weeks of modeling training.  One staff member elects to complete Masters Degree (BS) 3rd staff member declines to go based on payment reimbursement arrangements.

6/7-7/1/07
Teacher Trained: Teacher trained in content and pedagogy appropriate to high school freshman for a minimum of 3 weeks during the summer of 2007 (ASU)

8-12/07
Curriculum & Textbook Selection: Physics First Teachers discuss textbooks. Highest rating goes to “Physics: A First Course” published by CPO Science

10/22/07
Publicity Charge:  Science staff wants information regarding “Physics First” getting to parents and community. Articles, brochure & website

11/27/07
Brochure: “McGill-Toolen Physics First” brochure designed over three week period by input of staff & final version approved by Fr. Shields.  Sent of for printing by Development office.

1/10/08
Central Office Requests: Principal contact by central office informed that approval still pending: (1) state course alignment (2) national standards alignment  (3) more detailed curriculum description (4) detailed text ratings (5) course description

1/11/08
Response to Central Office: Science Co-Chair mails out (1) state course alignment with new course in tabular format (2) national standards alignment with new course in tabular format (3) detailed curriculum description provided using modeling units from kinematics through modern physics  (4) detailed information by staff &category of textbook ratings for all texts considered (5) exact course description provided

1/15/08
Science Department Meeting:  Science staff members strongly confirm (without dissent) 2008-9 first year implementation of science sequence change 

1/24/08
Central Office Approval: Principal phoned by central office staff and informed that approval was granted for the new sequence & course

1/25/08
*”McGill-Toolen Physics First”brochures mailed to feeder school and leadership, newsletter (Winter 2008) and "Physics First" sequence description mailed out to all parents, staff, coaches & supporters. “Course Description” of freshman physics course released to guidance for new course description booklet & upcoming registration

2/16/08
Training commitment in Modeling One staff member to ASU in June (DM) 6/16-7/3/08. Second staff member to Briarwood Academy in Birmingham (DB) 6/16-7/2/08.  All do week modeling  at McGill-Toolen 7/7-11/08

3/16/08
Physics First Website put on line detailing history of implementation at McGill-Toolen Catholic High School in Mobile, Alabama

8/16/08
Freshman class begins new science course sequence: All students take Physics as freshman, Chemistry as sophomores, Biology as juniors and an elective science as seniors

11/27/17
Progress noted using school wide average ACT Scores at McGill-Toolen Catholic High School (3 year rolling average):
                          Pre Physics First (2006,'07,'08)       Post Physics First (2015,'16,'17)
English                            22.8                                                      25.1
Math                                20.7                                                      21.9
Reading                           22.8                                                      24.8
Science                             21.7                                                      23.3
Composite                       22.2                                                       23.9

Progress noted using school Advanced Placement Performance (AP) in AP Sciences
Count of students making a passing score of 3 or higher.
                              Pre Physics First (2007)       Post Physics First (2017)
Biology                                   5                                            40
Chemistry                              1                                              2
Computer Science                 0                                            41   
Environmental Science         0                                            11
Physics (B & C)                     3                                              6
All AP Science Qualified      9                                           100       

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