Developed with support from the National Science Foundation, Exploring Physics - Electricity and Magnetism is a CD with hands-on activities for middle grades (5-9). This handy, engaging CD allows teachers to learn electricity and magnetism concepts in a concept-oriented framework. What's more, the same activities can be used in the K-12 classroom. A vast repertoire of links provides easily accessible background information -- with attractive pictures, animations, and examples.

Authored by an experienced trio: an award-winning physics professor, a science coordinator of a school district and a middle school science teacher, the CD is a culmination of several years of collaboration. The materials have been extensively tested in professional development programs for middle level teachers, and in the Exploring Physics programs for 5-8 grades.

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

• Batteries, Bulbs and Switches
• Understanding Batteries
• Simple Circuits
• Static Electricity
• Resistors and Capacitors
• Magnets and Magnetism

Module contents

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

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.

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) (links provided in CD)

What's Available
CDs compatible with PCs or Macs, and a few selected pieces of equipment are available from this website. Click order to view the selection and place orders online. If you prefer to print a copy of the order form and pay by check, click here.