Loco-Motion : : Physics Models for the Classroom

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Getting started. Design, build, test, and innovate -- Tools and materials -- How to use the handouts -- Safety first -- Science concept content for loco-motion activities -- Entering science fairs and other competitions -- On the ground. Gravity-powered car -- Balloon racer -- Electric cars -- Hovercraft -- Tops -- Rocket cars -- Rubber band racer -- Mouse trap cars -- Springers -- Electric jitter critters -- Through the air. Gravity ball launcher -- Flying saucers -- Catapults -- Trebuchets -- Straw rockets -- Pneumatic blast rockets -- Fling a spud -- Dynamic ping-pong ball launcher -- Boomerangs -- Pressure rocket launcher -- Chemical mini-rocket -- On the water. Gravity-powered boat -- Electric boat -- Swamp boat -- Rubber band powered boat -- Diving submarine.
Using the concept of "learning by doing," this classroom activity book contains an impressive collection of instructions and guidelines for building physics models that fly through the air, drive on the ground, or paddle through water. Students will use experimentation and analysis in these intriguing physics projects to inspire new and improve upon old designs. Each model is presented in an specific educational context, so teachers can instruct with hands-on experimentation. Students will explore science concepts such as gravity, air pressure, kinetic energy, Newton's laws, electrical circuitry, buoyancy, and inertia. Detailed materials lists and step-by-step directions for building models are structured so that the teacher becomes the director of research and development in a classroom of young engineers. Kids are encouraged to test, modify, and redesign based on observation of their models in action, while working cooperatively and learning from one anothers' successes and failures. The engaging material in these activities promote the understanding of science not as a collection of facts to be studied for a test, but as a learning process to be actively experienced.

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