Talk Title: Powering Clean Power Generation in the Physics Classroom
Summary
Carbon emissions from electrical power plants are responsible for a large part of our anthropogenic greenhouse gasses. To promote and educate students about clean energy, David recently responded to a call by The Physics Teacher for articles related to “Climate Change and Sustainability in the Intro Physics Classes”. David wrote an article titled “Wind and Sun” which was published in September, 2023. In this article, David describes several low cost and hands-on activities he uses in his high school classroom to help students to better understand clean power generation and how to make this topic relevant and interesting. In this talk, David will expand on this article and give some additional insights, activities and student experiences. David will also discuss some strategies he uses to increase student engagement and motivation. Those who attend will walk away with several activities and projects they can use immediately. All are invited to contribute by asking questions or sharing their own thoughts and ideas on how to teach this interesting and relevant topic.
Bio
David Wirth is a high school physics teacher at Millennium High School in Goodyear, AZ and has taught for 32 years. David attended Arizona State University where he received his bachelors and then several years later a masters degree with an emphasis on physics modeling pedagogy. David continues to work towards creating an environment in his classroom that is friendly, thought provoking, hands on and challenging. He’s written several grants in order to obtain the technology and tools that allow his students to be successful in the physics lab. David also strives to get his students involved in activities outside of the classroom that are relevant to physics. He co-founded a district wide STEM competition and showcase which has now run successfully for 14 years. David started a Science Olympiad Club and a Rocket Club on his campus and has his students compete in the AAPT Quiz Bowl and Photo Contest annually.
David is presently a ASAP STEM Fellow in Arizona with the intent of promoting STEM in Arizona. . David was the National PhysTEC teacher of the year in 2021 and the Arizona GCOI teacher of the year in 2023. David and his wife Beckie had the opportunity to raise 6 beautiful children and now enjoy visiting them in various parts of the world. They also love spending time with their grandchildren and teaching them about the joys of physics.