Designing Activities for Applying Calculus Topics in Calculus-Based Intro Physics

Prior Physics Education Research (PER) literature has focused primarily on improving conceptual understanding in the calculus-based sequence, and less so on the development of calculus skills. As part of a collaborative project to increase the coverage of calculus in calculus-based Intro Physics, we observed selected class periods to note how derivatives and integrals are present in one such course, and how students thought about these operations when working on problems. Field notes captured instances where students worked in small groups and when the class responded to ideas posed by the instructor. We also conducted semi-structured think-aloud interviews where we asked students questions that involved integrals or derivatives based on those observed in class. We are designing activities for students to apply calculus in a physics context based on student thinking from observations and interviews. We present some of these research-based instructional exercises and how instructors can guide students through the difficulties of applying mathematical ideas in physics contexts.