Blog Post #2 - What Do I Need For Physics?
This post is directed towards physics teachers that did not inherit a lab room full of equipment or even a curriculum. You've been thrown into a classroom and directed to teach physics to a class of students who may be learning against their will.
You've heard that labs are important and engaging, what is your budget for lab supplies? A $25 gift card to the grocery store.
All jokes aside there is a stark reality to the underfuding of schools in general and especially in the STEM Field, however if you have a clear idea of what materials you need to be successful you will have greater success in lobbying for the funding for your classroom.
I'll break down material needs into the following categories: Virtual Labs, Lab Equipment, and Physical Equipment.
Virtual Labs
On a truly restrictive budget? They are numerous high quality virtual labs that are largely free-to-use and oftentimes have accompanying lab guides attached to them. Keep in mind that this is far from an exhaustive list!
Pivot Interactives
Before I go into the free-to-use sites the most helpful and almost necessary program particularly at the AP level is Pivot Interactives. This amazing program is ONLY $5 a student (price bumps up in September). Instead of animated labs that students manipulate, Pivot shows recorded lab experiments that can be paused, rewound, and interacted with. Each video includes measuring tools to allow students to measure time, distance, and other variables. Each lab also includes high-quality lab assessments some of which are automatically graded. This is a must for AP level science classes that may be limited with physical equipment.
If you've ever taught a science class in grades 6-12 you have probably utilized PhET Interactives. This site features virtual labs for all science subjects that range from the very basic to complex. You can create a free account to access teacher created lab guides for each simulation.
Free-to-use with many straightforward simulations. Great for variations of pulley-systems, rotational motion, objects on ramps. Helps students to visualize more complex mathematical physics problems.
Similar to Geogebra, oPhysics organizes its simulations by physics units so it is simple to navigate. Also includes a handy feature for drawing graphs.
The simulations found on The Physics Aviary fall somewhere between oPhysics and PhET in which they include fun animations but help students to visualize the concepts behind physics phenomena. While is has a smaller library than the previously mentioned resources, each simulation is high-quality.
This website requires more than a paragraph to do it justice. It includes many physics simulations, word problems, can be used as a basic textbook resource, and even has subscriptions for automated problem sets and calculator pad for an affordable price for students.
Lab Equipment
Hopefully you are starting in a classroom that has SOMETHING. Physics covers so many different phenomena of our natural universe that I would be remiss to suggest you can cover all your bases if you're starting from scratch. This is just a suggested list of materials to get you started. Keep in mind that all the following resources connect through bluetooth to any device, and the programs for viewing and analyzing the data are free and
Lab Sensors
For many years I essentially conducted grocery store science, meaning my lab supplies were mostly things you could find at your local grocery or big box store. My lessons and engagement were instantly upgraded when I supplemented my equipment with lab sensors that allowed students to collect real-time accurate data with minimal error. While there is a large investment and cost associated with these sensors, it is worth it and worth making the argument to your administration.
There are three different companies that produce lab sensors that are all high-quality, have great customer service, and have few drawbacks. With whichever you decide to go with, my suggestion is purchasing a set so you have a variety of sensors, then each year advocate for purchasing more so eventually you can build a full class set(s) for your building.
Choosing between Vernier and Pasco Scientific can feel a bit like choosing a brand of power tools. Both offer the same general products, at a level of quality and ease of use for both teachers and students. Unlike power tools each sensor has a built in rechargeable battery that is charged with a USB cable. The only downside of mixing and matching sensors is having students switch between programs on their computers for use.
Both companies have great customer service and I encourage you to talk with them to create a package of sensors that fits your school's needs.
ioLab is a sensor that asks "why have many sensors when you can just have one? ioLab sensors record several variables and have extensions that can expand their use.
Most modern smart phones already include multiple sensors that allow them to do all the smart phone things they are capable of. You can download free apps that let you take advantage of these sensors to collect real-time data using yours or students phones. Phyphox and Arduino Science Journal are apps available on the Apple and Google Play App stores for free. Both of these apps work well in lieu of dedicated sensors but in my opinion are not a long-term solution.
Physical Equipment
Hopefully you will already be able to find many of the following items in your classroom/lab, but if not most of these items are easy to find and highly versatile. I'm focusing on the basics so this is far from an exhaustive list:
Measuring Equipment
Meter Sticks, the more the better
Tape Measures (Metric and Imperial Units)
100 meter tape measure
Rulers
Stop watches (or just use phones)
Scales
Spring Scales
Mechanics Equipment
Various sports balls
Ramps
String + Fishing Line
Various Masses
Various Springs
Electricity Equipment
Alligator Clips
Battery Holders
LED Bulbs
Switches
Waves + Optics
Laser Pointers
Various small mirrors
Tuning Forks
Concave & Convex lenses