TOPS Staff Development Program 

The TOPS Physics Program is supported through a generous grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.  We will not offer a TOPS Physics Workshop in Summer 2009.  Current teachers will still have access to Lending Kits.

The program is divided into three phases: 


Phase I: Staff Development Workshop

This is a full time, one week professional development program to familiarize teachers with equipment to support activities in mechanics, optics, wave motion, electrostatics, and circuits.  In this hands-on workshop, teachers will discuss and plan inquiry-based, framework-specific experiments along with the safety and classroom management skills needed to utilize computer-driven equipment and hands-on activities in the classroom.  Teachers who participate will receive a stipend of $1000 and access to the TOPS-Physics equipment during the academic year.

Only five grant funded spots are available for Phases I and II during the 2008-09 school year.

Requirements: High School Classroom Physics Teacher 
Schedule: not scheduled.

Cost:                                                              

Application 
 

Phase II: Van Visits - Co-Facilitated Laboratory Activities  

Recognizing that a one week workshop is insufficient to build confidence with new equipment and an obligation to maintain the equipment for continued use by all TOPS participants, the TOPS program provides mentored access to technological equipment with van visits.

These visits will enable the trained teacher to carry out the TOPS labs with their students, with the assistance of an experienced high school resource teacher. On-going staff development in laboratory management and equipment usage in the classroom environment will also be provided by the TOPS Resource Teacher.  Working with the TOPS staff, teachers will schedule up to three van visits; two day periods when TOPS-Physics equipment will be brought to their classroom for student use.  

Up to five classes may participate with the TOPS trained teacher. An experienced, mentor teacher will remain throughout the day to assist with equipment use, data collection and analysis, and pedagogy. Each teacher may select two labs per semester.

Requirements: Completion of the Summer Staff Development Workshop 
Schools within 25 miles (40 km) of Occidental College 
Schedule: not scheduled. 

Phase III: Lending Kits 

After the first year of mentored participation, the TOPS program makes available a lending kit, which provides the specialized equipment for each of the labs.  These are scheduled with the TOPS staff, delivered to the classroom, and remain for approximately one week for student use. The TOPS resource teacher remains available for assistance and consultation, but is not in the classroom on a regular basis.  There is currently a $700 fee to participate in Phase III.

Prerequisites: Completion of TOPS Physics Phases I and II 
Schedule: To be arranged, September 14, 2009 through June 11, 2010.

Cost: $700 per teacher.   
Application: To request lending kits, click here.