Using Active Learning Techniques combined with Service Learning to Teach a Physics I Course

During the Fall semesters of 2016 and 2017, one section of a calculus based Physics I course was taught using several active learning techniques. A peer teaching technique used involved the demonstrations presented during the normal course of instruction. Instead of the instructor presenting the demonstrations, the students in the class, in groups of three or four, presented the demonstrations. The individual groups of students were provided a skeleton power point presentation and met with the instructor to learn how do perform the demonstration. After enhancing the presentation and becoming comfortable with the demonstration, they presented it to the rest of the class. As a service learning component of the class, the students organized a ``Day of Science'', which included a period where the students performed the demonstrations for seventh and eighth grade students from local schools.