Outreach
Physical Sciences Workshop covering Force, Motion and Energy (MS and HS) - June 15-26, 2009
This workshop is designed to reintroduce concepts of force and motion as well as energy concepts to middle and high school teachers in the Atlanta area. After reviewing the present frameworks, the following concepts will be addressed.
- Defining force and motion
- Mathematically describing motion
- Defining energy and the principle that governs it
- Mathematically describing energy and energy transformations
- Hands on experimentation with the principles that govern force, motion, and energy
- Real world applicability of these principles
There will be a few short lectures on the background material to ensure that all participants begin with the same concept knowledge. Practice with this material will be facilitated throught the use of whiteboard problems and hands-on laboratories. Discussion will consist of applicability to real classroom situations and modification based on classroom constraints.
Calendar
This calendar is dynamic meaning that it will updated daily with topics that were covered and materials that were used. This allows for the flexibility of this workshop to cater to participants.
Day 1 [Monday]
- Introduction and Welcome [pdf]
- Force and Motion Lecture [pdf]
- Motion Whiteboard Problems [pdf]
- Force and Motion Labs (Lab 1 was performed)[pdf]
- Lab and WB Discussion/Takeaways
Day 2 [Tuesday]
Day 3 [Wednesday]
- Recap from Day 2
- Introduction to Energy Lecture [pdf]
- The First Law of Thermodynamics Lecture [pdf]
- Energy Whiteboard Problems [pdf]
- Bouncing Ball Lab [pdf]
- Heat Transfer [pdf]
- Discussion and Takeaways
Day 4 [Thursday]
- Bouncing Ball Lab [pdf]
- Heat Transfer [pdf]
- Discussion of Electronics
- Lemon Lab [Essential Lab, Stop and Go with Energy]
- DC Motor Lab [Essential Lab, Magnificient Motors]
- Circuits Lab [Essential Lab, All Wired Up]
Day 5 [Friday]
- Force and Motion Labs [Textbook]
- Roller Coaster Lab [pdf]
- Question and Answer Session
- Final Remarks and Evaluation
Resources for MS Teachers
Material Used in the Workshop
- Radiation Cans for Thermal Energy Lab [link]
- Wire for DC motor (Magnet wire) [link]
- LEDs [link]
- Iron Filings [link]
- Multimeter [link]
- Alligator Clips [link]
- DC power supplies [link]
- Stong disc magnets [link]
- Weights (big ones) [link] (little ones) [link]
- Spring scales (Various sizes needed) [link]
- Digital Timers [link]
- Alcohol Thermometers [link]
- Meter sticks [link]
- Roller coaster (Pacso) [link]
- Aluminum Bottles, purchase blank shiny ones and paint yourself (in bulk) [link]
How Tos
North Atlanta High School AP Physics - 2008/2009 School Year
I have recently taken on the responsibility of teaching physics to 18 Seniors at NAHS. We are working through the usual first semester of College Physics. This class is great, the kids are enthusastic and ready to learn. If you'd like to see what were are up to check out our Google Group. Send me an email to join.
PRISM/MSP Summer Science Academies Concepts in Physical Sciences Workshop on Physics and the Energy Concept - June 2-5, 2008
This workshop is designed to reintroduce energy concepts to 8th and 9th grade physical science teachers. After reviewing the present frameworks, several major concepts will be addressed.
- Defining Energy
- Forms of Energy
- Energy Transformations
- The Energy Principle
- Applications to Energy Transformations
There will be a a few short lectures on energy and the Energy Principle. We will spend most of our time performing hands-on laboratories and solving whiteboard problems. This workshop is dynamic and we have the freedom to address any concerns, problems or misconceptions about energy that arise.
Calendar
Day 1 [Tuesday]
- Introduction and Welcome
- Introduction to Energy [Lecture]
- The Energy Principle [Lecture]
- Whiteboard Problems [Part I]
- Bouncing Ball [Lab]
Day 2 [Wednesday]
- Bouncing Ball [Lab]
- Rube Goldberg Machine [Lab]
Day 3 [Thursday]
- Applications of Energy Transformations [Lecture]
- Mass Energy Equivalence, Relativity [Lecture]
- Roller Coaster [Lab]
- Summary and Closing
Notes
Notes are available in pdf form.
- Introduction and Welcome [pdf]
- Introduction to Energy [pdf]
- The Energy Principle [pdf]
- Applications of Energy Transformations [pdf]
- Mass-Energy Equivalence, Relativity [pdf]
Labs
Lab instructions are available in pdf form for download and modification. Please contact me directly for the source files.
Worksheets
Whiteboard Problems are available now. Solutions will appear as problems soon. Feel free to adjust and modify these problems as you feel appropriate. If given to students unit conversions should be made simpler.
- Whiteboard Problems - Tee Ball [pdf]
- Whiteboard Problems - Minor League [pdf]
- Whiteboard Problems III [pdf]
Thank You
Thank you to all participants. And thank you for your feedback. I feel that this workshop was a great success and invaluable to me as an instructor. I hope that you found just as useful.
Projects :