Physics program for girls (PPG) is a two-week program held every summer since 2006, with the goal of engaging young women in inquiry-based physics experiments and to connect them with female science, technology, engineering, and mathematics professional role models. The program recruits young women to participate the summer after they have taken…

The measurement of the force acting between two parallel, current-carrying wires is known as Ampère's experiment. A mechanical balance was historically employed to measure that force. We report a simple experiment based on an electronic precision balance that is useful in clearly showing students the existence of this interaction and how to…

Recent and exciting discoveries in astronomy and cosmology have inspired many high school students to learn about these fields. A particularly fascinating consequence of general relativity at the forefront of modern cosmology research is gravitational lensing, the bending of light rays that pass near massive objects. Gravitational lensing enables…

Sir Isaac Newton determined that the acceleration constant for gravity was 32 ft./per/sec/sec. This is a fact that most students become familiar with over time and through various means. This article describes how this can be demonstrated in a technology classroom using simple photographic equipment. (Contains 5 figures.)

The dynamics model, which is based on L. Talmy's (1988) theory of force dynamics, characterizes causation as a pattern of forces and a position vector. In contrast to counterfactual and probabilistic models, the dynamics model naturally distinguishes between different cause-related concepts and explains the induction of causal relationships from…

A History-of-Physics laboratory in which students can reproduce historically significant physics experiments is described. The methods and materials used in the experiments are essentially those used originally. The objective is to provide students with an opportunity to repeat the experiments and to appreciate the significance of each in its own…

Describes a one-year program in which students are given lectures on instrumentation topics, acquire experience participating in campus and community laboratories, and complete individual projects to receive the master's degree. Indicates a high ability of attacking laboratory problems in students' achievement. (CC)

The Search for Excellence in Science Education (SESE) project gives national recognition to outstanding science programs. Descriptions of five high school physics programs selected by SESE are provided. Unique aspects of the programs, instructional strategies, and other areas are included. (BC)

A summer science camp was held in Korea for 30 ninth grade students gifted in science. Students were divided into three groups (physics, chemistry, and biology) for activities which included problem solving, brainstorming, and experimental work. The experiments of the physics group addressed the use of solar energy, the chemistry group focused on…

A time-sharing FORTRAN program is described. It was created to allow a student to design and perform classical thermodynamic experiments on three models of a working substance. One goal was to develop a simulation which gave the student maximum freedom and responsibility in the design of the experiment and provided only the primary experimental…

Describes a two-semester laboratory program designed to motivate students. The program consists of computer-oriented modules and discovery approach laboratory exercises. Students complete similar computer/laboratory material during the first semester but elect one of three tracks during the second semester (computer, every-day life, and…

The objective of the Colorado Mexican-American Student Program was to motivate capable Mexican American students to consider the possibility of attending college. Students for the program were selected according to the following criteria: (1) Mexican American ancestry, (2) completion of at least grade 10, (3) promising academic potential, and (4)…

Describes one individual's efforts to help support early science education by making presentations to children in elementary schools. Discusses the following aspects of the program: (1) getting started; (2) obtaining funding; (3) assessing students ability levels; and (4) deciding what hands-on experiences to give students. (MDH)