The incorporation of engaging and meaningful learning experiences is essential for the enhancement of critical thinking and the development of scientific literacy. The study engaged several groups of students in activities designed to elicit their understanding of a graphical representation of motion, and to determine the kinesthetic effect of…

Students in 4 Canadian high school physics classes completed instructional sequences in two key physics topics related to motion--Straight Line Motion and Newton's First Law. Different sequences of laboratory investigation, teacher explanation (lecture) and the use of computer-based scientific visualizations (animations and simulations) were…

Presents the LOGO computer language as a source to experience and investigate scientific laws. Discusses aspects and uses of LOGO. Lists two LOGO programs, one to simulate a gravitational field and the other projectile motion. (MVL)

A complete listing of a projectile motion program for the Apple II microcomputer is provided. A discussion of this computer simulation and a table with variables used in the program (as well as their meanings) can be found in SE 533 596. (JN)

Studies the effect of V-Scope activities on the performance of 11th-grade students in analyzing kinematics graphs. Students were challenged to construct different kinds of graphs using their own movements as well as the motion of a dynamics cart. Results indicate that the V-Scope kinematics laboratory activities can promote kinematics concepts and…

Discusses chaotic behavior (movement) in a nonlinear system using LOGO programs. Presents several examples with program listings. (MVL)

Suggests that intuition and visualization are effective methods of introducing engineering principles to pre-engineering students. Describes the development of computer simulation software as part of a "Pre-Engineering College On Disk" course. The computer game helps students visualize the relationship between shell trajectory and its…