Expert: Philip Stahl - 12/30/2004

Question
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Follow up To

Hello.

I would be most willing to assist in providing some questions, [Thank you!] but first need to know several items:

i) What guidelines (e.g. syllabus-relevant or other, e.g. mathematical level) exist for such questions? [See next point]
ii)What specific *subjects* in the 'outer atmospheric' category constitute suitable material for questions?

Follow-up: We designed a framework, but can not send it through this e-mail channel due to space problems due to the fact that it is in diagram format. We focus on "Gateway" subjects and the approach is
1. The Mathematics of ... [Space "Maths"]
2. The Chemistry of ... [Space "MChemistry"]
3. The Physics of ... [Space "MPhysics"]
4. Tha Biology of ... [Space "Biology"]
5. The Economics of ... [Space "Economics"]
6. The Informatics of ... [Space "Informatics"]
Levels: Junior School, Middle School, Senior School, Grade 13 level.
[There is some information available on ourweb site www.nydt.org
iv) What level for understanding physics is required (O-level, A-level)?
In South Africawe have a problem with the low standardof Scienceteaching at school . See on the Internet  "Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), 2003". [International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA)]. South African Students came last in an international science survey in which 34 countries participated


iii) What is the exact nature of the questions sought, e.g. short answers (with working); inquiry, or multiple choice?
It is my belief that it should be
1. Monkey puzzle for the most junior group
2. Short answers for the junior groups
3. Longer answers for the senior group.
 
Students do a Practical Problem Solving Exercise project during the year and there are 10 criteria in total:


10 Criteria for the Assessment of Gateway PPSE Projects

Item   Score %
Task   1   Approach / System / Strategy    Any score between 10 and 100%
Task   2   Concise Defining of:
„X   Problem
„X   Synopsis
„X   Hypothesis   Any score between 10 and 100%
Task   3   Handling of 6 Gateway Subjects:
„X   Mathematics
„X   Chemistry
„X   Physics
„X   Biology
„X   Economics
„X   Informatics   Any score between 10 and 100%
Event   4   Gateway Science Olympiad   Any score between 10 and 100%
Event   5   Mock Commission of Investigation   Any score between 10 and 100%
Event   6   Mock Press Conference   Any score between 10 and 100%
Task   7   Final Report    Any score between 10 and 100%
Task   8   Portfolio   Any score between 10 and 100%
Task   9   Team Work   Any score between 10 and 100%
Task   10   Discovery / Contribution to Science   Any score between 10 and 100%
Total   Out of 100%


When I have these answers, I can more tell you to what extent I can participate in your program.
I hope this will give you more clarity.


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Dear Mr Stahl
My organisation [NYDT] set up the Africa Space School for schools in [Southern] Africa. We have an Aviation [Inner Atmospheric] and Space Science [Outer Atmospheric] Olympiad scheduled for July 15, 2005, which will be the first in Africa and unique in the Southern Hemisphere. I hope you will be willing to help us design questions for the Olympiad, to establish a credible Question paper.

At S Meyer
nydt@mweb.co.za
www.nydt.org

Answer
Hello.

After examining your materials, responses, I think that what's needed is to go to existing teachers - e.g. in the U.S. or other systems- and have them formulate questions to apropos standards.

This pretty well looks like a full time task and far beyond the scope of my time constraints right now. (Even apart from the fact I've been out of secondary school teaching for more than 15 years now)

I used to assist in exam, syllabus development for the Caribbean Examinations Council, and we usually prepared tests or other (lab) questions (e.g. in space science, physics) by convening a workshop (of paid volunteers, given a per diem allowance) wherin many people were assembled, and there were numerous "test trials" and the like.

Also a great deal of exhaustive vetting of the questions- not to mention re-writing.

More specifically, I believe what you need is a person specially hired for the purpose of preparing these questions, and who is prepared to fully familiarize him/herself with the levels and varieties of materials needed. Since Space Science is already taught in many schools - e.g. in the NYPS - I am sure that an appropriate ad or flyer should more than receive an adequate response.

Having said that, I am perfectly willing to refine whatever rough questions there may be - preferably in the more advanced settings - and offer advice to enhancing questions. Also, to offer a few of the more advanced variety culled say, from my own collection of CXC past papers.

But, I would prefer not to be engaged in what appears to be a full time project at this time.

If you are interested in corresponding via e-mail, along the lines suggested,  you can reach me at: jpstahl@msn.com.