Constructing Physical Science

Adam Johnston

investigations

motion analysis: rolling

I love to do this lab or one similar to it in person, but you can also conduct an investigation about motion on your own. I've created some videos that you can use to collect data (and maybe these will inspire you to setup a situation from which to collect your own data) and I've also given you a li…

intro to hot chocolate

For your lab, you'll be investigating what's known as the "hot chocolate effect." You don't need to know anything about this effect and you certainly don't need to try to look it up or read about it. (This usually just makes things worse.) Instead, take a look at my intro and then use this as a star…

getting into the swing of data collection

One of our first tasks has been to collect some data on an object known as a “simple pendulum.” There’s no perfect simple pendulum, but instead this term is used to describe something that swings back and forth with all of its mass stuck to the end that’s swinging. A yo-yo swinging back and forth is…

raisins in soda

For some people in my family, there's no good use for a raisin. I happen to disagree. I love them mixed in with nuts and candies, and I also discovered that they make for a great science investigation. When someone set aside all of their raisins, I decided to take video of what happens when I put th…

ice melting

On hot summer days you might really enjoy a glass with ice, just because you like a cold drink. But have you watched the ice in your glass up close? This glass of ice water shows that the ice floats at the top. You probably see this all the time. I like investigations just watching ice melt. By taki…

light in gelatin

Some science investigations are especially fun to do at home. Playing with light and playing with jello are each great activities for indoors. This investigation prompt puts these two things together. Here's a video that I made at home, with no fancy lab or equipment -- the perfect setting for most …

looking up at the night sky

When the weather gets clear, it’s not only great for going out in the day, but also for going outside at night. There’s a lot of great science happening both during light and dark hours. In fact, observing dark skies is a scientific study all by itself! Sometimes we take it for granted, but the reas…

hot chocolate effect

We often imagine that good science is the kind of thing that studies the dynamics of distant stars and a cure for disease. Sure, it does work on these big problems. But it is just as focused on and important to our everyday experiences. Here's my prime example. This is me at home, stirring some hot …

bubble observations

This narrative describes our first task. Walking into a first day of a science class, one of the proclamations that we’re conditioned to hear is about the power of the “scientific method.” There are plenty of first chapters of textbooks that devote themselves to describing a bit about what science i…

Astrophotography

Note: This is just a quick tutorial on astrophotography. For other astronomy resources, take a look at this collection I've been compiling. (And let me know if there's something more that you are looking for.) Disclaimer: I'm not an astrophotography expert. I just get the basic idea and I like to me…

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