Chair: J. Wylie, OAPT Executive, Toronto French School
The methods and results of an interesting student research project will be discussed. Using a crumb-sized magnet affixed to the body of a cockroach, the insect's heartbeat was detected by sensing a change in magnetic field as the body shifted several microns during each beat. A brief overview of insect anatomy will be given to explain their use as experimental subjects. Results of the research will then be discussed, including several interesting manipulations of the heartbeat pattern by variations in temperature and stress. The ease of incorporating components of this experiment into a high school level physics environment will be given particular mention.
It is difficult to get to the top two levels of Bloom's Taxonomy (Synthesis
and Evaluation) through ordinary teaching methods. Some examples of the
use of creative synthesis in order to do this will be given.
An old-fashioned summer programme leading to a radioactive opening day (both ancient and modern!) setting the tone for the most interesting, inspiring O.A.C. course in your school.