FIG. 3.5 Sample high school mini-lessons.
SUBJECT: Science/Physics GRADE: High School, 11 or 12LESSON AIM: Can “something” be both “mass” and “energy”?
CONCEPT(S): Change of state, complexity, multiple perspectives, physical properties of
matter.
MATERIALS: Hot plate, beaker, water and ice; headline on overhead projector.
INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITY:
A) Project headline: “Room in the Universe for Ancient Beliefs and Modern Physics.” Ex-
plain that the article claims that traditional Buddhist philosophy makes it easier for Japa-
nese scientists to understand complicated physical principles such as duality and transfor-
mation. Can someone give me an example of something that is a duality? What makes
something a duality? How do things transform?
B) Boil water. Insert ice cube. What happens to the ice? the water? Which is really “wa-
ter”—solid, liquid, or gas?
TRANSITION: Why does water appear to have three very different forms? Can anyone
suggest other examples of physical dualities and transformations? Can anyone suggest
other simple experiments that demonstrate duality and transformation?
ASSESSMENT: Was I comfortable and fluid in front of the class? Was I able to respond to
student questions? Did the depth and breadth of student participation in discussion dem-
onstrate interest in and understanding of the subject matter?PLANNING 99
Excerpt from The New York Times,June 9, 1998, F.4.Room in the Universe for Ancient Beliefs and Modern Physics
by Malcolm W. BrownHilda Village, Japan, June 7—Everywhere in this restored 17th century village, old way-
side shrines remind visitors of the belief that Buddha could assume several manifestations,
each representing one of the deep tenets of Buddhist teaching.
Barely a mile away from the old wood houses of this village is the modern provincial
town of Takayama, where trailblazing physics is coming to light at an international confer-
ence on neutrino particles.
Despite the contrast between the carefully tended icons of Hilda (which bespeaks an-
cient religious mysticism) and the research that has been unveiled nearby during the past
week, many Asian scientists view the two worlds as complimentary rather than conflicting.
“We say that the Buddhist tradition makes it easier for us to grasp the dualities and
transformations of particle physics,” said one of the Japanese scientists here, who spoke
on the condition he not be identified.
“For example, the duality of particles and waves manifested in all the ingredients of
matter has long been known, but although everyone accepts this duality intellectually, the
idea may be hard to feel in your heart unless you are Asian,” he said.
The announcement last Friday that a coalition of Japanese and American scientists had
found strong evidence that neutrinos undergo transformation from one type to another
(and therefore have mass) also evokes comparisons with Buddhist traditions.