Centre for Learning Technology - Synchrotron Investigations

This project, Synchrotron Investigations - connecting science and mathematics aims to create connections between mathematics and science using the context of a synchrotron. The Australian Synchrotron, an exciting, cutting-edge research facility has just opened in Melbourne, Victoria. This project was developed by Western Australian science and maths teachers in conjunction with research scientists and educationalists at the University of Western Australia.

This comprehensive resource has been designed to highlight the importance of integrating maths and science in Australian Schools using a synchrotron as a context.

This resource package is made up of four different elements.
These are:
- teacher notes,
- student activities,
- video clips, and
- multimedia resources (digital learning objects and PowerPoint presentations).

The resources are available in two formats. As PDF documents or as Word documents. The Word documents are available so that teachers can make any necessary changes to allow for tailoring for the specific needs of their classes. Resources can be downloaded as entire chapters (all of chapter 3) or can be downloaded as individual segments (ie 3.1, 3.2, 3.3). Alternatively the entire resource manual (not including video, Powerpoint or interactive activities) can be downloaded at once here (PDF 12.7MB)

Introduction

All (PDF)

Introduction (PDF)
Table of contents (PDF)
How to use this resource (PDF)
Contacts (PDF)

1. Setting the Scene

All (PDF) and
1.1 Dr Tim St Pierre – video (View video)

1.0 Cover (PDF|Word)
1.1 Dr Tim St Pierre – setting the scene (PDF|Word)
1.1 Dr Tim St Pierre – video (View video)

2. The Synchrotron

All (PDF) and
2.1a complete presentation - Introduction to synchrotrons (Powerpoint)

2.1 Introduction to synchrotrons (PDF|Word)
2.1b) Segment 1 - What is a synchrotron.ppt (Powerpoint)
2.1c) Segment 2 - The history of synchrotrons (Powerpoint)
2.1d) Segment 3 - What are synchrotrons used for? (Powerpoint)
2.2 What is a synchrotron? - Teachers (PDF|Word)
2.3 The Synchrotron - Student (PDF|Word)
2.4 The Synchrotron - answers to student worksheet (PDF|Word)

3. The Electromagnetic Spectrum

All (PDF)

3.1 Electromagnetic spectrum explorer - An online learning object for students (link)
3.2 Investigating the electromagnetic spectrum - Information for teachers (PDF|Word)
3.3 Investigating the electromagnetic spectrum - Worksheet containing activities for students (PDF|Word)
3.4 Interaction with Matter - Information for students (PDF|Word)

4. Radiation

All (PDF)

4.1 Detecting invisible radiation - Background information for teachers (PDF|Word)
4.2 Detecting invisible radiation - Worksheet containing experiment instructions and focus questions for students (PDF|Word)
4.3 Building a beamline - Background information for teachers (PDF|Word)
4.4 Building a beamline - Worksheet containing experiment instructions and focus questions for students (PDF|Word)

5. Modelling X-ray Diffraction

All (PDF)

5.1 Modelling X-ray diffraction in the classroom - Background information for teachers (PDF|Word)
5.2 Modelling X-ray diffraction in the classroom - Worksheet containing experiment instructions and focus questions for students (PDF|Word)

6. Wavelengths and Trigonometric Graphs

All (PDF)

6.1 Wavelengths and trig graphs - Background information for teachers (PDF|Word)
6.2 The mathematics of the sine function - Worksheet containing activity instructions and focus questions for students (PDF|Word)
6.3 The mathematics of the sine function - Answers to student worksheet 6.2 (PDF|Word)
6.4 The maths/science interface - Worksheets containing exercises for students (PDF|Word)

7. Metric Units Trail

All (PDF)

7.1 Metric units trail - Background information for teachers including assumed student skills (PDF|Word)
7.2 Measurement using interference effects - Background information for teachers (PDF|Word)
7.3 Mass Worksheet containing activity instructions and focus questions for students (PDF|Word)
7.4 Time Worksheet containing activity instructions and focus questions for students (PDF|Word)
7.5 Length Worksheet containing activity instructions and focus questions for students (PDF|Word)

8. Synchrotron Research Case Studies

All (PDF)

8.1 Task information - Background information for teachers (PDF|Word)
8.2 Case study 1 - Study of respiration and tracheal function in insects (PDF|Word)
8.3 Case study 2 - Did heavy metal kill Beethoven? (PDF|Word)
8.4 Case study 3 - Ancient warriors and the origin of chinese purple (PDF|Word)
8.5 Case study 4 - Revealing the molecular origins of life (PDF|Word)
8.6 Case study 5 - Corrosion (PDF|Word)

9. Light Intensity

All (PDF)

9.1 Light intensity - Background information for teachers including assumed student skills and example experiment (PDF|Word)
9.2 Linearising to find rules - Worksheet containing activity instructions and exercises for students (PDF|Word)
9.3 Linearising to find rules - answers to student worksheet 9.2 (PDF|Word)
9.4 Light intensity explorer - An online learning object for students (link)
9.5 Light intensity sample experiment - Sample experiment for teachers use (PDF|Word)
9.6 Light intensity data set - Data set for teachers who don’t complete light intensity activity in class (PDF|Word)
9.7 Light intensity experiment - Worksheet containing background information, experiment instructions and focus questions for students (PDF|Word)

10. Waves

All (PDF)

10.1 Standing waves explorer - An online learning object for students (link)
10.2 Microwave experiments - Background information for teachers (PDF|Word)
10.3 The efficiency of a microwave oven - Worksheet containing experiment instructions and focus questions for students (PDF|Word)
10.4 Using a microwave oven to measure the speed of light - Worksheet containing background information, experiment instructions and focus questions for students (PDF|Word)

11. Polygonal Paths

All (PDF)

11.1 Polygonal paths – electrons and polygons - Background information for teachers including assumed student skills (PDF|Word)
11.2 In the path of the electron - Worksheet containing exercises and focus questions for students (PDF|Word)
11.3 In the path of the electron - Answers to student worksheet 11.2 (PDF|Word)
11.4 So what is this thing called pi? - Worksheet containing exercises and focus questions for students (PDF|Word)
11.5 So what is this thing called pi? - Answers to student worksheet 11.4 (PDF|Word)
11.6 Polygonal paths explorer - An online learning object for students (link)
11.7 Relativistic effects on the electron - Worksheet containing exercises and focus questions for students (PDF|Word)
11.8 Relativistic effects on the electron - answers to student worksheet 11.7 (PDF|Word)

12. High Level Reading Comprehension

All (PDF)

12.1 The Australian Synchrotron reading comprehension - Reading comprehension for students containing information on the Australian Synchrotron followed by assessment questions (PDF|Word)
12.2 The Australian Synchrotron reading comprehension - Answers to student worksheet 12.1 (PDF|Word)
12.3 Australian Synchrotron light: X-ray diffraction reading comprehension Reading comprehension for students containing information on synchrotron light followed by assessment questions (PDF|Word)
12.4 Australian Synchrotron light: X-ray diffraction reading comprehension answers to student worksheet 12.3 (PDF|Word)

13. Acknowledgments

13.1 Acknowledgements (PDF|Word)

Additional Resources

The Australian Synchrotron: The Science Show, ABC Radio National (MP3 audio)
The Australian Synchrotron (part 2): The Science Show, ABC Radio National (MP3 audio)