PLU - May 2023

Using Physical Science Gadgets and Gizmos, Grades 6-8: Phenomenon-Based Learning

by: Matthew Bobrowsky, Mikko Korhonen, and Jukka Kohtamäki

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What student—or teacher—can resist the chance to experiment with Rocket Launchers, Sound Pipes, Drinking Birds, Dropper Poppers, and more? The 35 experiments in Using Physical Science Gadgets and Gizmos, Grades 6–8, cover topics including pressure and force, thermodynamics, energy, light and color, resonance, and buoyancy.

The authors say there are three good reasons to buy this book:

1. To improve your students’ thinking skills and problem-solving abilities.
2. To get easy-to-perform experiments that engage students in the topic.
3. To make your physics lessons waaaaay more cool.

The phenomenon-based learning (PBL) approach used by the authors—two Finnish teachers and a U.S. professor—is as educational as the experiments are attention-grabbing. Instead of putting the theory before the application, PBL encourages students to first experience how the gadgets work and then grow curious enough to find out why. Students engage in the activities not as a task to be completed but as exploration and discovery.

The idea is to help your students go beyond simply memorizing physical science facts. Using Physical Science Gadgets and Gizmos can help them learn broader concepts, useful thinking skills, and science and engineering practices (as defined by the Next Generation Science Standards). And—thanks to those Sound Pipes and Dropper Poppers—both your students and you will have some serious fun.

For more information about hands-on materials for Using Physical Science Gadgets and Gizmos, visit Arbor Scientific at http://www.arborsci.com/nsta-kit-middle-school

Table of Contents

Available April 2014

About the Authors


An Introduction to Phenomenon-Based Learning


To the Student


To the Teacher


Learning Goals and Assessment


PBL in Finland


Authors’ Use of Gadgets and Gizmos


Safety Notes


Additional Resources


References





1 Wave Motion and Sound


Get in Tune


Standing Wave


Sound Pipe


Music Box


Doppler Ball


Web Resources


Relevant Standards



2 Visible Light and Colors


Prism Play


Spectroscope


Color Addition and Subtraction


Combining Colors


Web Resources


Relevant Standards



3 Thermodynamics


Radiation Cans


Meltdown


Ball and Ring


Drinking Bird


Fire Syringe


Web Resources


Relevant Standards



4 Air Pressure


It's a Hold-Up!


Pressure Power


Pressure Globe


Water Rocket


Web Resources


Relevant Standards



5 Density and Buoyancy


A Sinking Feeling


Rock the Boat


Solar Bag


Cartesian Diver


Web Resources


Relevant Standards



6 Force, Motion, and Energy


Excelling at Acceleration


Balancing Bird


It's a Snap!


Race to the Bottom


Energy Ingenuity


Happy / Unhappy Balls


Web Resources


Relevant Standards



7 It's Science, Not Magic


Wind Bag


Mirage


Dropper Popper


Magnetic Accelerator


Rattleback


Fun Fly Stick


Energy Ball


Levitron


Web Resources


Relevant Standards





Appendix


How to Order the Gizmos and Gadgets


Keyword Glossary


Credits


Index

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.

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