About the Exploring Physics Curriculum

The Exploring Physics CD-ROM includes more than 100 hands-on, minds-on activities in six independent modules:

Batteries, Bulbs and Switches

The Batteries, Bulbs and Switches module covers the concepts of closed circuits and electrical contact points, and uses bulbs, switches, batteries, buzzers, motors, LEDs and photoresistors to demonstrate how electrical circuits power real-life objects. Batteries, Bulbs and Switches activities can be done with our unique, custom-made Puzzle Board kit.

Understanding Batteries

The Understanding Batteries Module explores battery voltage, electrodes, electrolytes, and how batteries work in series and in parallel. Students can use the Battery Experiment Kit to make their own batteries, as outlined in our Understanding Batteries activities.

Simple Circuits

The Simple Circuits Module teaches voltage, current, simple and mixed series and parallel circuits, and electrical resistance. Learn how to make your own circuits, measure power and energy in an electrical circuit, and much more with the Simple Circuits activities, which can be done with the Simple Circuits Kit.

Static Electricity

The Static Electricity Module examines what static electricity is, how attractive and repulsive forces work, Coulomb’s Law, charging by conduction and induction, and making an electroscope.

Resistors and Capacitors

The Resistors and Capacitors Module studies electrical resistance, what makes good and bad conductors, how resistance varies with length, and how capacitors work. Use the Resistance Boards and Ohm’s Law Kit to complete the sample Resistors and Capacitors activities.

Magnets and Magnetism

The Magnets and Magnetism Module reviews how magnets work, from magnetic poles and repulsive forces to electromagnets, compasses and the Earth’s magnetic field. Make your own magnetic experiments with our Magnets and Magnetism activities.

 

Exploring Physics curriculum

Each Module contains:

  • Hands-on student activities
  • Inquiry-based experimental design activities
  • Challenges — problem-solving activities
  • Projects that students can build
  • Student Reading Pages

 

Each activity contains:

  • Appropriate conceptual information
  • A rich collection of animations and figures
  • Useful instructions on equipment
  • Several quantitative activities
  • Handy teacher hints
  • Quick-check answers
  • Several activities usable for assessment

 

Also included:

  • Index
  • Content Background
  • Printable .pdf files of activities
  • Materials lists
  • Links to National and Missouri State standards

 

 

Audience

Teachers, parents and students in grades 5-9
Some segments usable for grades 3-4 and for 10-12
Faculty providing professional development for middle level teachers

 

Pedagogy

A learning-cycle-based strategy allows students to develop concepts in sequential “blocks”. Activities are designed to engage students, allow them to explore, then explain and further elaborate upon a concept. Challenge and quantitative activities evaluate what students have learned.

 

Using the CD in your classroom

The CD can be used in various formats:

  • Students use the CD while performing activities. Answers to activity questions can be typed in and printed.
  • Students use hard-copy printouts of the activities for data entry, and use the CD simultaneously to reference links.
  • Students use hard-copy printouts of the activities for data entry, and the
  • CD is available on the classroom computer for reference and demonstration of figures and animations.

 

Standards

National Science Foundation Standards
Missouri Science Frameworks
California State Standards

 

System Requirements

  • PC or Macintosh with Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.x or greater.
  • At least 64MB of free RAM
  • 4x CD-ROM or faster
  • Three other (free) downloadable applications: Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0, Apple QuickTime 4.1.2 player, Macromedia Shockwave and Flash player (5.0 or greater)