Wright Center for Science Education at Tufts University

Physics

Mystery Materials: Exploring Mass, Volume & Density

The integrated math and science curriculum for the seventh and eighth graders at the Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School focuses on the Challenge of the Week (COW). COWs are designed to be rich problems that students of all levels can access and be challenged by for about a week. After they receive the challenge, usually on a Friday, class time is devoted to helping them solve the challenge and communicate their solutions. This lesson represents the work of one COW; it is the first COW of a unit on boats. Students spend time exploring density before they build model boats to maximize carrying capacity and speed.
**This activity is currently being updated.**

Gena Merliss
Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School
Devens, MA

Beyond the 1930s Atom

This unit introduces students to the Standard Model of Fundamental Particles and Interactions and conservation laws which govern the consistent patterns in physical processes. The unit ends with a card game on particle physics as well as guidelines that students may use to create learning games of their own on various topics.

Pamela Perry, Physics and Astronomy
Lewiston High School
Lewiston, ME

The Golden Gate Bridge: From U.S. History to Physics

The goal of this unit is to explore all aspects of the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge from its conception to the present. The unit investigates such things as first-hand stories from the men who devoted years of their lives to the Bridge, and the science that has made the Bridge such an enduring part of the Pacific Coastline. Students will perform research online as well as study articles written when the bridge was built, and in a lab setting they will test the strength of cables. By the close of the unit, students should understand the interconnectedness of the world that we live in, especially through the eyes of a historian and a physicist.

Beth C. Pelland, Physics
Gideon Fischer, History
Longmeadow High School
Longmeadow, MA

The Laws and Lore of the Sea: A Unit for Science and English

This interdisciplinary unit has been created as a study for students living in seaside communities to better understand the impact the sea has had on their culture; however, it can be adapted to any location. It analyzes the purpose, function and design of ships and connects them to the stories of the people who worked on them.

Pauline Chandler, Science
Jennifer Collison, English
Brookwood School
Manchester, MA

Marbling Papers: Blending Science and Art

This activity includes an intriguing art project that combines physics principles and hands-on practice as well as a product students can take home. In addition, there are science activities related to surface tension and density.

Gareth Kucinkas, Science
Richard Lee, Art
Elan School
Poland, ME

The Peltier Device: A Multi-Purpose Engine

Students can independently do simple experiments with a small peltier-device and find out how it connects transport of heat and electricity. They will find out how the three different applications of the device are related and look at the flows of energy and realize analogies to quite different engines such as airplane engines and refrigerators. Students will therefore carry out quantitative measurements with peltier-devices. As all of these engines must comply with Carnot's law. Students will check whether this is true or not. Usually peltier-devices are applied as heat pumps. They will measure its efficiency in this mode.

Hans Peter Dreyer, Physics
Kantonsschule Wattwil
Wattwil, Switzerland

Stained Glass and Soap Bubbles

This project is designed to help physics and art teachers to communicate on the interdisciplinary topics of light and color, focusing particularly on phenomena that occur when light encounters opaque and transparent objects, how color is produced, and how both artists and physicists use color.

Kathleen Conn, Science
Gary Kerschner, Art
Conestoga High School
Berwyn, PA