Teachers Learning Together Pays Off
Archimedes and Bernoulli would be proud to know that physics students in the East Baton Rouge Parish Public School System are putting their principles to the test in a not so traditional way.

Physics students from four high schools will be setting sail at 11:00 a.m. from the Baton Rouge Beach on the LSU Lakes today, January 24, 2005, racing their way to the finish line as part of the Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta. In an attempt to apply the concepts they have been studying in their physics classes, the boats—entirely created by the students as part of the project—must be made of only cardboard and tape, and must be able to support one to two people. Themes are encouraged.

The idea was first implemented by physics teacher Amber Brown, Tara High School, when her students challenged each other to a competition last school year. Thanks to an opportunity offered by the Academic Distinction Fund (ADF), EBR’s only Local Education Fund, physics teachers from across the district have become part of a learning community through Teachers Networking Together (TNT). In doing so, Amber was able to share her idea with other physics teachers within the school district, and this year three more schools are joining Tara High in this innovative activity.

The schools represented are as follows: Lee High (Jason Jones, teacher), Istrouma High (Wilson Doucet, teacher), Belaire High (Holly Richards, teacher), and Tara High (Amber Brown, teacher).

For more information, please contact Jen LoPiccolo, ADF Program Director, 924-4560 OR Amber Brown, Tara High Physics Teachers, 326-9088.