Making Physics Fun

In easy-to-understand language, this resource presents engaging, ready-to-use learning experiences that address the "big ideas" in K-8 science education and help students make larger, real-world connections.

Robert Prigo, professor and director of the Teacher Education Program at Middlebury College, has worked for twenty years with K-12 educators on inquiry-based science teaching and learning, supported through grants from the NSF and the Vermont Department of Education. His work with teachers and schools goes beyond professional development workshops and institutes to include phone-call-help to local teachers, science assemblies at local schools, lending equipment and resources, and visiting school classrooms to work directly with teachers and students. Prigo was recognized in 1991 as "Vermont Professor of the Year" by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.

Preface
1. Motion and Force
Inertia and Newton-s First Law of Motion
Concepts
Activities
Everyday Examples
Fundamental Forces and Newton-s Third Law of Motion
Concepts
Activities
Everyday Examples
Net Force, Acceleration and Newton-s Second Law of Motion
Concepts
Activities
Everyday Examples
Motion Circus
Sample Investigation Questions
2. Fluids and Buoyancy
Gases and Liquids as Fluids
Pressure in a Gas and Atmospheric Pressure
Concepts
Activities
Everyday Examples
Liquid Pressure
Concepts
Activities
Everyday Examples
Archimedes- Principle: Sinking and Floating
Concepts
Activities
Everyday Examples
Fluids in Motion: Bernoulli-s Principle
Concepts
Activities
Everyday Examples
Fluids and Buoyancy Circus
A Bernoulli Circus
Sample Investigable Questions
3. Waves and Sound
Waves and Waves Motion
Concepts
Types of Waves and Waves Speed
Periodic Waves: Wavelength, Frequency, and Amplitude
Wave Reflection and Transmission
Superposition Principle
Activities
Everyday Examples
Sound Waves
Concepts
Activities
Everyday Examples
Waves and Sound Circus
Sample Investigable Questions
4. Light and Electromagnetic Waves
Waves and/or Particles
Sources of Light
Concepts
Activities
Everyday Examples
Light and Matter
Concepts
Activities
Everyday Examples
Light Travels in a Straight Line
Concepts
Activities
Everyday Examples
Reflection
Concepts
Activities
Everyday Examples
Refractions
Concepts
Activities
Everyday Examples
Total Internal Reflection
Concepts
Activities
Everyday Examples
Dispersion and Color
Concepts
Activities
Everyday Examples
Diffraction and Interference
Concepts
Activities
Everyday Eaxamples
Light Circus
Sample Investigative Questions
5. Electricity and Magnetism
Electric Charge and the Electric Force and Field
Concepts
Activities
Everyday Examples
Electric Current and the Magnetic Force and Field
Concepts
Activities
Magnets Interacting with Magnets and Magnetic Materials
Magnets Interacting with Current Carrying Wires
Current Carrying Wires Interacting with Current Carrying Wires
Everyday Examples
Magnets Interacting with Magnets and Magnetic Materials
Magnets Interacting with Current Carrying Wires
Electromagnetic Induction
Concepts
Activities
Everyday Examples
Electric and Magnetic Circus
Sample Investigative Questions
References and Resources