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Health & Fitness

Pilot physics class at Henry Sibley empowers students to conduct original research

When Henry Sibley physics teacher Peter Bohacek attended a virtual conference last year, he asked a group of college physics professors a simple question: Which better prepares students for success in college — a high score on an AP test, or experience conducting original research? Unanimously, the professors replied that original research was better. Combining that testimony with the district's charge to prepare students for the 21st century, Bohacek designed an independent study course where students drove their own academic achievement through scientific research, curiosity and ingenuity — and produced impressive conclusions. 

The six students who participated in the independent study class designed original research questions, developed methods, conducted research, and prepared presentations about their findings. Bohacek advised and supported the students throughout the process.

“As I watched and worked with the students, they consistently exceeded my expectations,” Bohacek said. “They worked independently and creatively, teaching themselves as they worked.” 

The students’ research covered a range of topics. Ben Sather and Travis Neuman measured the flex and potential engery stored in a hockey stick during a slapshot and analyzed the speed of the resulting shot. Bin Guo and Mica Saucedo analyzed collisions between two rolling spheres to determine the forces acting on the balls, the amount of deformation, and more. Aaron Thomas and Connor O’Leary researched how the distribution of mass within an object rolling on a curved surface affects the point at which the object loses contact with the surface.  

Throughout their projects, the students pushed the boundaries of traditional high school research projects, and even secured outside support for their work. Neumann and Sather worked with the Reebok/Bauer and Montreal Hockey companies, which contributed several thousand dollars worth of carbon fiber hockey sticks to the students’ project. Guo and Saucedo collaborated with faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Stout and Iowa State University as part of their research. Thomas and O’Leary used high-speed video technology and computer modeling to study the complex details of their project.

To conclude their research projects, the students presented their reports at an April meeting of the Minnesota chapter of the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT). The Sibley students were the only high school students presenting their research projects at the meeting; all the other presenters were college students and professors. At the meeting, Neumann and Sather’s project, “Carbon Fiber Hockey Sticks: Does Flex Rating Affect Slapshot Speed?”, won the award for Best Student Poster out of a field of several advanced college students.

The six students involved in the class graduated in spring 2013. While the independent study class is not being offered during the 2013-14 school year, the Henry Sibley science department is working to incorporate original research and student-led inquiry into other courses. 

Furthermore, Bohacek's independent-study physics course aligns with the goals of the recently updated School District 197 Strategic Framework — specifically in transforming teaching and learning through the innovative use of technology and other nontraditional methods and media. 

"Preparing kids to be career and college ready in the 21st century requires looking at things differently and changing the way we think about instruction," said Cari Jo Kiffmeyer, the district's director of curriculum, instruction and assessment. "We're very proud of Mr. Bohacek and his students and see this as an example of classroom innovation that we hope to continue building upon throughout the district."

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