A way to promote student interest and engagement in physics is by capitalizing on students' skills in arts and crafts to design and make physics-based toys. This article illustrates how two students (averaging 14 years of age) in the authors' science class designed and fabricated a variation of a physics-based teaching aid that demonstrates the…

We have conducted an education project to communicate the wave energy concept to high school students. A virtual reality system that combines both hardware and software is developed in this project to simulate the buoy-wave interaction. This first-of-its-kind wave energy unit is portable and physics-based, allowing students to conduct a number of…

Nothing brings out the best in eighth-grade physical science students quite like an engineering challenge. The wind turbine design challenge described in this article has proved to be a favorite among students with its focus on teamwork and creativity and its (almost) sneaky reinforcement of numerous physics concepts. For this activity, pairs of…

Discusses how to make and fly boomerangs. (BB)

Describes the construction and operation of a simple field mill to measure atmospheric electric fields. (Author/CP)

Describes construction of a variety of relatively inexpensive cameras for astronomical purposes. (CP)

Describes the construction of a demonstration to show optical activity of table syrup. (Author/CP)

IDEAS FOR SCIENCE INVESTIGATIONS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE DESCRIBED. IN PART I THE STUDENT IS INTRODUCED TO THE IDEA OF THE PROJECT-TYPE INVESTIGATION AND IS GIVEN A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE MANUAL. A SECTION WHICH IS WRITTEN FOR THE TEACHER INCLUDES A DISCUSSION OF (1) EDUCATIONAL VALUES DERIVED FROM INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATIONS, AND (2) THE…

Introduces the basics of radio astronomy and describes how to assemble several simple systems for receiving radio signals from the cosmos. Includes schematics, parts lists, working drawings, and contact information for radio astronomy suppliers. (11 references) (Author/JJK)

Describes a project designed to allow middle school students to learn some science concepts through application of science and mathematics lessons. (ZWH)

Describes an analog electronic simulator for the motion of an object projected horizontally in a vertical acceleration field. The device features adjustable values for the horizontal speeds and "gravity." Trajectories are displayed on an oscilloscope. (Author/CP)

Instructions are provided for the construction of 4.5 foot diameter planetarium shells. (CP)

Presents a project-based interdisciplinary unit involving chemistry, physics, English, and geometry in which students are charged with the task of building a boat that will carry one student across the school's pool and back. (JRH)

Discusses the use of high school students to present physics demonstrations to first graders. (MKR)