Hands-On Physics Activities with Real-Life Applications: Easy-to-Use Labs and Demonstrations for Grades 8 - 12 [Paperback]

James Cunningham (Author), Norman Herr (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 087628845X | ISBN-13: 978-0876288450 | Publication Date: March 16, 1994 | Edition: 1

This comprehensive collection of nearly 200 investigations, demonstrations, mini-labs, and other activities uses everyday examples to make physics concepts easy to understand. For quick access, materials are organized into eight units covering Measurement, Motion, Force, Pressure, Energy & Momentum, Waves, Light, and Electromagnetism. Each lesson contains an introduction with common knowledge examples, reproducible pages for students, a "To the Teacher" information section, and a listing of additional applications students can relate to. Over 300 illustrations add interest and supplement instruction.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

This comprehensive collection of nearly 200 investigations, demonstration, mini-labs, and other activities uses everyday examples to make physics concepts ways to understand. It is part of the two-volume PHYSICAL SCIENCE CURRICULUM LIBRARY, which includes Hands-On Physics Activities and Hands-On Chemistry Activities

For easy use, this resource is organized into the eight units of study listed below. Each unit offers a variety of activities designed to provide interaction between students and their world in a way that encourages scientific reasoning.

• Measurement
• Motion
• Force
• Pressure
• Energy and Momentum
• Waves
• Light
• Electromagnetism

Each easy-to-follow lesson format contains a concise introduction using common knowledge examples...reproducible pages for students...a "To the Teacher" information section...and a separate listing of additional, specific applications that students can relate to.

More than 300 illustrations supplement instruction, and interest, and heighten the learning process. Also included is a handy appendix that contains listings of physical quantities and their units, common conversions, units of pressure, and more.

And as a special help, each lesson provides complete answer keys and enough detailed explanation to ensure success for even the inexperienced science teacher.

You'll find Hands-on Physics Activities can be used to supplement any physical science textbook or as a stand-alone physics program in itself. However you use it, these activities will help you inject new vitality into your curriculum.

About the Author

James Cunningham (Ph.D., Science Education, Syracuse University) is professor of science and computer education and Chair of the Department of Secondary Education at California State University, Northridge. Formerly Chair of the Department of Science and Mathematics in Washington state high schools, he is author of Teaching Metrics Simplified and co-author of BASIC for Teachers and Authoring Educational Software.

Norman Herr (Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles) is associate professor of science and computer education at California State University, Northridge and served as Chair of the Science Department in a California High School. He has also worked as a chemist, community college science instructor, for the College Board, and has written many science education articles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 672 pages
• Publisher: The Center for Applied Research in Education; 1 edition (March 16, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 087628845X
• ISBN-13: 978-0876288450
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 1.7 x 10.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #218,125 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Norman Herr, Ph.D., is a professor of science and computer education at California State University, Northridge. He earned his doctorate from the University of California, Los Angeles, and has worked as a scientist, high school science teacher, college science instructor, science education consultant, and director of graduate programs in science education. Dr. Herr has published research in the field of science education, and has co-authored Hands-On Physics Activities with Real-Life Applications, and Hands-On Chemistry Activities with Real-Life Applications for Jossey-Bass / John Wiley & Sons, Inc. He is the author of the Sourcebook for Teaching Science.

I could never decide which science I liked best, so I ended up studying them all. My job as a professor of science education unites my love for physics, chemistry, biology and environmental science with my love for teaching and research. I love to write books for science teachers and hope that others can be as enthusiastic about learning about the world around them as I am. I love to spend time outdoors, whether skiing, mountain climbing, mountain biking, backpacking, or hiking. My wife and three children love the outdoors as well, and our favorite past time is to go camping in the mountains I am an elder at Valley Presbyterian Church, North Hills, California and active in a variety of Christian ministries. I thoroughly enjoy writing and am looking forward to writing my next book.

Norm Herr

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

83 of 87 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A necessity for any Physics or Physical Science teacher., April 26, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Hands-On Physics Activities with Real-Life Applications: Easy-to-Use Labs and Demonstrations for Grades 8 - 12 (Paperback)

This book is packed with dozens of demonstrations and lab activities for every physics concept taught in the upper grades 7-12. Can be used to supplement the textbook or on its own. Each section (Ex: Electricity) has a brief 1-2 page overview, followed by real life examples and activities to understand the concepts. Excellent for "stepping-up" a very basic physical science text. Illustrations and reproducible worksheets.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource for teaching a homeschool co-op, March 11, 2007

By 

Ramona L. Voight "looking4quality" (Big Lake, MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hands-On Physics Activities with Real-Life Applications: Easy-to-Use Labs and Demonstrations for Grades 8 - 12 (Paperback)

I bought this as a source for ideas for hands-on activities for my homeschool co-op class. The explanations are straight-forward and the activities are easily created with found objects and home supplies.

My only caution is that you need to have an understanding of the mathematics of physics first. This may not be enough of a text to stand on its own for a non-science, non-math person.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource for Physics teachers, April 21, 2007

By 

JAC_the_Reader (Mission Hills, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hands-On Physics Activities with Real-Life Applications: Easy-to-Use Labs and Demonstrations for Grades 8 - 12 (Paperback)

I first got this book while student teaching, and taught by the author, Norman Herr. A most excellent teacher. His book is quite useful and highly recommended for any physics teacher.