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Physics
experiments/activities do not have to be costly
in time or resources. Teachers also do not need
to limit their equipment purchases to "high
tech" or specialty materials sold exclusively
through science supply catalogs. Many valuable
data collection activities can be performed
using inexpensive materials that may be
purchased from local department, hardware,
and/or toy stores. The activities contained in
the chart below represent a few of what I
personally consider the "best for the buck" when
it comes to introductory physics' essential
laboratory activities on a tight budget.
Activities similar to
these using a variety of materials may be found
in numerous lab resource materials. The purpose
of this web page is not to introduce new and/or
unique lab activities, but to present some of
the most common and valuable lab experiences
involving real data collection or qualitative
investigations in a format for use with
inexpensive materials. Activity worksheet
documents are presented in Microsoft Word format
so that they may be more easily modified
according to the individual needs of each user.
Click on a MS Word
"Worksheet Link" to download an
experiment/activity worksheet. "Web
Links" provides links to other web pages with
activities/information/simulations related to
the chosen physics topic (all links active as of
4/7/2008).
*I am not responsible
for the content of any of the web links.
In addition to these
activities, video analysis technology now
provides a cost-effective way to perform
numerous mechanics investigations. Go to
Video Analysis:
Real World Investigations for Physics and
Mathematics for more information.
For questions or comments
regarding the use of these activities, to
suggest other lab activities, or to request a
professional development session on the use of
inexpensive materials for teaching physics,
please contact:
Joel A. Bryan, Ph.D.
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Ball State University
Muncie, IN 47306-0505
e-mail:
jabryan@bsu.edu
(765) 285-4718
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