Energizing physics instruction using projects

1
Energizing physics instruction using projects

• Students learn while leaving a teaching legacy

2

• Dorian McIntire PE
• Program Coordinator
• dmcinti1_at_tctc.edu
• General
• Engineering
• Technology
• Tri-County Technical College
• Pendleton, South Carolina

3
Outline

• Why Projects?
• A sample project
• Phases of the project
• More projects
• Inspirations
• List of ideas

4
Why Projects

• Pros
• Engage students
• Students can be students best teacher.
• Create valuable props for teaching
• Put on a physics show
• Create a STEM outreach center
• Hone students presentation skills
• So many ideas so little time
• Cons
• Demanding for instructor
• Cost management
• Space management
• Tools required

5
Sample ProjectElectro-magnet

• Principles demonstrated
• Magnetism
• Magnetic vs non-magnetic materials
• Concentrating magnetic fields
• Electro-magnetism
• Even strong magnets dont work like Wiley Coyote
  magnets.
• Resistance Ohms law
• Current (I2R rule)
• Voltage
• Physics Media\Stem Presentation.avi

6
Sample ProjectElectro Magnet
7
Sample ProjectElectro Magnet
8
Sample ProjectElectro Magnet
9
Phases of projects

• Research phase
• Proposal phase
• Building phase
• Presentation phase
• Grading

10
Research phase

• Have students forms groups of 3 to 5 students
• Give students some time to research a project
  idea.
• Spread groups over different disciplines to avoid
  too many projects in only a few disciplines. Some
  disciplines include
• Mechanics
• Energy
• Sound
• Light
• Electricity
• Fluids
• Thermodynamics
• Be careful to avoid low difficulty projects.

11
Proposal phase

• Each should email a formal proposal with the
  following information
• Project name
• Discipline covered
• Concept revealed
• Description
• Parts required
• Approximate size
• Approximate cost

12
Building phase

• A working area with access to simple tools is a
  must.
• Insist students maintain the work area.
• Introduce workshops on certain lab days to
  address common problems faced by groups.
• Working with materials
• Simple circuits
• Many times it is discovered that some students
  have never handled tools.
• Stress the importance of safety.

13
Building phase
14
Building phase
15
Building phase
16
Building phase
17
More projects

• Hovercraft
• Jacobs ladder
• PVC pipe instrument
• Induction Furnace
• Energy conversion tower
• Air vortex launcher
• Newtons cradle
• Tesla coil

18
More ProjectsHovercraft
19
More ProjectsJacobs Ladder
20
More ProjectsPVC pipe instrument
21
More ProjectsEnergy conversion tower
22
More ProjectsAir Vortex launcher
23
More ProjectsNewtons cradle
24
Sources of inspiration

• Physics demonstrations ideas
• Wonders of Physics
• Episode 1 http//www.youtube.com/watch?vlGMt5hPs
  NBc
• Episode 17 http//www.youtube.com/watch?vJW6XqPF
  KgHkfeaturerelated
• Episode 26 http//www.youtube.com/watch?vcvAf9a2
  _lIgfeaturerelated

25
Sources of inspirationContinued

• Physics demonstrations ideas
• National Stem Center http//www.nationalstemcentr
  e.org.uk/elibrary/collection/491/physics-demonstra
  tion-filmscollection-resources
• AU http//www.youtube.com/watch?vSYXuOFjvb7w
• Phun Physics http//phun.physics.virginia.edu/dem
  os/

26
Sources of inspirationContinued

• Physics demonstrations ideas
• WFU demonstrations
• http//www.wfu.edu/physics/demolabs/demos/avimov/b
  ychptr/bychptr.htm

27
Sources of inspirationContinued

• Wonder Works (the upside down building) - bring
  your camera
• The Epcot Center bring your camera
• The Children's Museum Greenville South
  Carolina.
• YouTube searches
• The Amateur Scientist C. L Stong
• 125 Physics Projects for the Evil Genius Jerry
  Silver

28
List of Ideas

• Ring Launcher
• Vortex Shooter
• Electromagnet
• Newton's Cradle
• Stirling Engine
• Energy storage tower
• Resonance tube instrument (Blue Man)
• Aluminum Plate Levitator

29
List of IdeasContinued

• Transformer Experiments Microwave Oven
  transformer (magnets, iron filings)
• Tesla Coil
• Ion Gun
• Induction Furnace
• Electric motor/generator
• Jacobs Ladder
• Walking Chain
• Battery Powered Hovercraft

30
List of IdeasContinued

• Merging colors using LEDs
• Magnet drop generator (lights LEDs)
• Waterdrop Strobe
• Gravity strength detector (laser pointer used in
  torsion balance)
• Solar steam generator
• Doppler effect demonstrator
• Superconductivity
• Light-beam communication (LED and Solar)

31
List of IdeasContinued

• Sound patterns (speaker, salt)
• Non-Linear fluid (speaker, signal generator, corn
  starch and water mixture)
• Webcam physics (how can inexpensive webcams be
  used to freeze motion in physics experiments)
• Bed of nails

32
Questions?