Top Teachers
Saturday, August 30, 1997
Name: Gheri Fouts
Position: Physics and physical science teacher, Sacred Hearts Academy
Education: Indiana University, University of Calgary
Pastimes: Paddling with Lokahi
Gheri Fouts couldn't wait to get back to school this semester. A physics teacher at Sacred Hearts, Fouts agrees her subject can be boring. But over the summer, Fouts learned a new method that makes terminal velocity, displacement and kinematics understandable and fun. She's got fun down to a science
She attended a National Science Foundation-funded course at Arizona State University that showed high-school physics teachers how to motivate students using an innovative, computer-based method called modeling. Tests have shown students taught this way learn and retain more.
Instead of the teacher being the "sage on stage," Fouts will turn over the planning of experiments to her students. After conducting the work, groups then explain their results to the class.
"Modeling attempts to match the way people learn," Fouts explained. Instead of memorizing formulas, the emphasis is on problem solving and critical thinking.
Sacred Hearts' physics classroom also has eight new computers to run lab equipment. "The data collected with these will be very accurate," said Fouts. "Gone are the days of throwing a ball out the window and timing it with your wristwatch. The vagueness of previous data was holding back learning."
With the new school year under way, Fouts said she can't wait to see the results in her classes. "I'm excited," she said. "It will be an interesting year."
Alice Keesing, Special to the Star-Bulletin
