As children develop an understanding of their place in the universe, their mental model of the solar system should really go beyond a list of planet names and attributes to become a dynamic concept of bodies in motion and interaction. Montessori educators can help build a Sensorial impression of the cosmos by physically modeling the nature of…

Visual aids are important to student learning, and they help make the teacher's job easier. Keeping with the "TPT" theme of "The Art, Craft, and Science of Physics Teaching," the purpose of this article is to show how teachers, lacking equipment and funds, can construct a durable 3-D model reference frame and a model gravity…

In this paper we describe a teaching approach focusing on modelling in physics, emphasizing scientific reasoning based on empirical data and using the notion of multiple representations of physical phenomena as a framework. We describe modelling activities from a project (PHYS 21) and relate some experiences from implementation of the modelling…

Discusses a misconception about the cycloid that asserts the final point on the path of shortest time in the "Brachistochrone" problem is at the lowest point on the cycloid. Uses a BASIC program for Newton's method to determine the correct least-time cycloid. (MDH)

Discusses the working of a dial lock using a scaled-up model. (JRH)

Discusses the difficulty of drawing free-body diagrams which only show forces exerted on a body from its neighbors. Presents three ways a body may be modeled: a particle, rigid extended, and nonrigid extended. (MKR)

Presents a participation activity for students of all ages that stimulates the processes that occur in the build-up of a laser pulse. Exposes students to the concepts of coherence, monochromaticity, stimulated emission, pulse build-up from background fluctuations, and the properties that dictate the shape of a typical laser pulse. (JRH)

Soap films can exhibit sudden changes analogous to phase transitions, and these changes can be animated using the software package Mathematica. In this way students can be introduced to phase changes earlier than usual. Soap films provide excellent examples of patterning that arises from simple balancing of forces and minimizing of energy.…

Discusses the theory behind the changes in the times of sunrise and sunset and the sun's apparent gradual week-to-week motion. (JRH)

This editorial proposes that famous people in physics be immortalized as heroes through trading cards that present their pictures, personal backgrounds, and contributions to physics. Includes 18 cards for the first collection. (MDH)

Introduces a functional model of sound transmission through solids and gases. Describes procedures of an activity to model how sound travels faster through solid materials than gases. Use dominoes to represent the particles of solids and gases. (KHR)

Compares micro-rockets to commercial models and water rockets. Finds that micro-rockets are more advantageous because they are constructed with inexpensive and readily available materials and can be safely launched indoors. (CCM)

This document contains six separate works, titled: (1) Functions and Physics; (2) Links Between Geography and Mathematics; (3) Our Inheritance: Common Ground for the Mathematics and Biology Teacher; (4) Mathematics and Chemistry: The Classroom Interface; (5) Mathematical Modeling; and (6) Mathematical Modeling with Calculus. This series of…

Suggests techniques used to analyze models and describes preservice elementary teachers' experiences as they critically examined popular models used in many elementary classrooms. (KHR)

Soap bubbles excited using a vibration generator can be used to model the formation of a diatomic molecule because of their analogous properties to atomic orbitals. (Author)