Curriculum
The VIBES curriculum materials are built using the research-based Legacy Cycle. This design uses a contextually based "Challenge" followed by a sequence of instruction in which students first offer initial predictions ("Generate Ideas") and then gather information from multiple sources ("Multiple Perspectives"). This is followed by "Research and Revise" as students integrate and extend their knowledge through a variety of learning activities. The cycle concludes with formative ("Test Your Mettle") and summative ("Go Public") assessments that lead the student towards answering the Challenge question. The VIBES curriculum units are designed for high school physics, biology, and anatomy & physiology classrooms.
Teachers who are interested in using one of these units in their classroom must attend a VIBES training workshop. Once a teacher is licensed to use a unit, they have full rights to reproduce all student handouts for their students.
There are currently 13 different curriculum units offered:
For Physics:
Iron Cross (torque)
Balance (Newton's Laws and free body diagrams)
Long Jump Kinematics (kinematics)
Volleyball (convservation of momentum and energy)
For Physics and Anatomy & Physiology:
Electrocardiogram (electric fields, circuits, cardiac A&P)
LASIK/Optics(optics, eye A&P)
Hemodynamics (fluid dynamics, cardiovascular A&P)
Medical Imaging (cell A&P, waves, some nuclear physics)
Skin Elasticity (skin A&P, stress and strain)
For Biology and Anatomy & Physiology
Swimming (specficity of training, cellular respiration)
For Chemistry:
Toothpaste (formula naming and writing)
Blood Oxygen (LeChatelier's principle)
For 7th Grade Science:
Artificial Blood Vessel (diffusion and engineering design process)
