Applying Age-Old Physics: Using ancient inventions to teach modern physics concepts

by: Michael Blair

Despite daily use of computers, cell phones, and sound systems, students are fascinated by the technology that our ancestors once used to survive. Ancient inventions are great tools for fostering understanding of physics content and real-world applications, integrating history, and cultivating students’ appreciation for their ancestors’ intelligence. These tools are also great interdisciplinary vehicles that can be used as part of a social studies or math lesson. In this article, two activities and a demonstration use an atlatl, a trebuchet, and a fire plow to teach the concepts of work and simple machines, projectile motion, and the transfer of energy, respectively.

Details

Type Journal ArticlePub Date 12/1/2001Stock # tst01_068_09_32Volume 068Issue 09

NSTA Press produces classroom-ready activities, hands-on approaches to inquiry, relevant professional development, the latest scientific education news and research, assessment and standards-based instruction.

Learn More