September 23, 2026

A brief outline for a horizontal projection lab

In this horizontal‑projection lab, students begin by sketching a motion map of a ball rolling off a table, capturing their intuitive sense of how its position and speed change over time. From there, the class works together to identify measurable quantities, propose variables that might affect how far the ball travels, and design a controlled method for changing and measuring launch speed. By grounding the experiment in student‑generated representations and practical measurement choices, the activity sets up a rich investigation into what truly changes—and what stays constant—when an object moves through the air.
Categories Kinematics/Physics Comments: 0
March 23, 2026

Waves in a Spring: A Lab That Helps Students Figure Out What Really Controls Wave Speed

This lab engages students in an evidence‑based investigation of what determines wave speed in a spring, emphasizing experimental control and quantitative reasoning. By systematically varying amplitude, tension, distance traveled, and wave type, students test common misconceptions and use measured data to decide which variables meaningfully affect wave speed. The activity is designed to support sensemaking around wave–medium interactions while reinforcing core scientific practices such as controlling variables, analyzing uncertainty, and justifying claims with numerical evidence.
Categories 9th grade physcis/Physics