The workshop is the area for the three physical science classes that I teach. My regular course load is chemistry and physics but every few years I teach some astronomy to keep my hand in a class that I enjoy. The units for these classes are built on a curriculum model called Understand by Design. I do not pretend to be an expert on this style of curriculum design, but I have found it to be a wonderful system that encourages much reflection on the quality and relevance of all assignments.

The curriculum is a work in progress and I have the good fortune to work with several wonderful colleagues that keep me honest in my course design and much the quality improvements are a result of their input.