In Physics we have FUN...

The best days are the days that the kids walk away from the lesson with their MINDS BLOWN.  The days where we challenge the norm and get creative (and sometimes dirty).  The days they get to experience science and not just learn about it.

Some of my favorite days in the classroom are below:

Fireproof balloon challenge
In the AP Physics thermodynamics unit, I challenged the students to make fireproof balloons using only water.  The goal was to have them utilize their understanding of the specific heat of water and the fact that the heat from the fire would transfer directly to the water to heat it up before it popped the balloon.  Some tried to coat the balloons in water.  Some tried to light the balloon on fire under water (uh...that doesn't prove the balloon was fireproof guys...).  Some tried a mixture of water and air.  They soon realized putting enough water in the balloon that it didn't stretch the latex too much was the best design.  They were able to hold the balloon over the Bunsen burner for a few minutes without it popping or draining.  Here's a pic of the balloon the instant it popped:

Walking on...nails?
There are a lot of pressure demonstrations...and a lot of fun ones at that.  There are collapsing cans, egg suction flasks, and airplane wings.  I brought in a bed of nails given to me by my mentor teacher as a demonstration.  We all took turns laying on the bed, taking naps, etc.  Then the kids decided we should walk on the bed...OF NAILS... WITH NO SHOES...IN THE SNOW...UPHILL...BOTH WAYS (uh...wait...I got a little carried away there).  Nothing gets the high schoolers going like a little danger and teamwork.  

Water Wheel
My students really like group projects.  I have basically zero dollars in my budget, so I try to find labs and projects that I can do with household items.  I found this water wheel project and adapted it for my AP class.  It was the second thing they did to kick off the year and it was hilarious, fun, captivating, and they learned a thing or two about Torque (a concept they'd heard of but never knew how to quantify before).  

Laser Shoot
Students used their knowledge of refraction and reflection to set up a laser shoot.  They had to calculate and trace out the line that the laser would create by setting up a series of flat and curved mirrors and lenses (both thick and thin).  Their goal was to hit the target first try based on their calculations.  They were allowed to test each lens/mirror reflection/refraction separately on previous days, but had to draw the laser path prior to laser testing.  

Food Calorimetry
My physical science students tested the amount calories in different types of food by burning the food and seeing how much heat was transferred to water in a can.  By measuring the rise in temperature of the water, they were able to calculate the heat transfer, and thus the calories in each food type.  

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