A creative way to build mini-projects to maximize concept application.
I have found that take home group projects often devolve into two pitfalls, one person does all the work or somebody
else (Mom, Dad, Uncle…) is doing more than they should. So I have developed some labs/projects (using K'Nex ©)
that can be built in one or two classes. K'Nex are a relatively cheap and easy to use building material, but
one could easily do the same thing with popsicle sticks and balsa wood. Students build simple machines
(penny catapults, elastic driven cars) or more complex ones (hydraulic syringe arms) and then make measurements
with those devices to practice problem solving and concept analysis. The measurement and investigation portion
can be as scaffolded or open ended as you like. In this workshop you will get to "play" with the K'Nex to make
a penny catapult. Prize will be given for the penny that is shot the furthest! I will share some of the devices,
construction outlines, and scaffolded assignments that I have created and used.
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Lisa Lim-Cole (Cole) is currently the Head of Science at Uxbridge Secondary School. She graduated from McGill
University with a Major in Physics and completed her Bachelor of Education at Queen's University. Lisa is
currently pursuing a Master in Education at York University part time with an interest in Science Teacher
Education. Her passion for physics and science education continues to inspire students and teachers as she
develops classroom activities and provides professional development workshops for teachers. Lisa is currently
the OAPT President, an active member of the Perimeter Institute Teacher Network and the project manager
of a Provincial Knowledge Exchange - Ministry of Education Project.
Margaret Scora came to Ontario in 1987 from rural Manitoba to join her husband who was working on his Ph. D in physics
at the U of T. With a B.Sc in Honours Physics and newly minted B.Ed in hand she joined the teaching staff at Monsignor
Paul Dwyer CHS in Oshawa and has been there ever since! Her goal as a physics teacher has always been to give the students
a lot of hands on experiences in physics in order to generate those light bulb moments, and to prepare them for the rigors
of post-secondary science education. Her favorite experience driven learning environment is the ice rink where the students
investigate “Physics on Ice”. Margaret is currently involved with the annual OAPT conference and hopes to continue learning
along with her students.
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