Physics Camp is a set of hands-on lessons meant to teach younger children physics in a fun, engaging way! It is a compilation of the best of the best hands-on physics lessons around. The topics covered in this Physics Camp, which focuses on classical mechanics, are linear motion, Newton's Laws of Motion, mass versus weight, momentum, impulse, conservation of momentum, work, power, energy, torque, and circular motion. There are ten "lessons sets," each of which covers one particular concept in a hands-on way and can be done in about one hour. In each lesson set, you will get recommendations for the best hands-on lessons to teach a particular concept, the equipment needed (mostly household items along with a few science-y things), and recommendations of how to have engaging discussion with your students. If you do it "camp-style," you can finish Physics Camp in one week, spending a few hours each day on it. However, you can string Physics Camp out into more of a unit study if not a semester-long course. It is very customizable! Included are recommendations of how to cater the lessons to children as young as five to those twelve and older. Young children, aged five to nine, are often amazed by the "magic" of the lessons. Nine to twelve year olds are the perfect age for Physics Camp: both boisterous and able to follow along with the simple, on-point explanations. Age twelve and up can benefit from the hands-on lessons as well as some extended work, such as doing more equations and watching more in-depth videos. Physics Camp makes what can be a daunting topic, physics, easily digestible for parents, teachers, and students alike. Learn right along with your students as you see how powerful hands-on lessons followed by engaging discussion is at teaching difficult topics!
Benefits of Physics Camp include:
A better physics vocabulary
A better preparation for physics courses
An appreciation for algebraic equations themselves. Algebra isn't a boring set of rules to learn to pass a test. Algebra is a powerful thought tool to help us understand natural phenomena.
A better understanding of the natural phenomena around us
An appreciation of the genius that it took humans to figure out these natural laws, which are otherwise highly counter intuitive.
A strengthening of community. Parents deeply appreciate anyone who holds a Physics Camp for their children.
Having a lot fun!
Calling all Physics Coaches! Help teach the next generation this important topic that makes all of our modern life tick!
What people have said about Physics Camp:
"I've been researching how to teach science to my kids with engaging, hands-on activities. I think I found the right resources! I like being able to know what to expect from the experiment and the possible outcomes. As my kids are young, I am planning on just doing the experiments and again when they are older. Being prepared for their questions gives me a lot of confidence. Thank you so much for this amazing resource."
"I have a child who is very excited and engaged in engineering/stem type activities. Your book made understanding/teaching physics concepts much more clear, concise and fun. I really appreciated the beginning information on HOW to teach these concepts based on a child's age. While I have not been able to run an actual physic's camp due to time constraints, I have used your age based approach recommendations to create conversations on physic's concepts in everyday life. I very much connected with your idea that "imaginative thinking" can be linked to teaching physic's concepts. He is a kid who is always coming up with his own imaginative inventions. I have practiced discussing HOW and WHY these creations would or would not work in real life. This has been a huge connecting point for us. Thank you for sharing and doing this work!"–Cara Liedlich
What did you like best about Physics Camp? "How easy you made teaching...