The trebuchet has quickly become a favorite project for physics and engineering teachers seeking to provide students with a simple, but spectacular, hands-on design project that can be applied to the study of projectile motion, rotational motion, and the law of conservation of energy. While there have been free trebuchet simulators and range…

This article describes a lesson on the greenhouse effect in which students explore blackbody radiation and Wien's law. The lesson, which has been tested in a variety of high school physics classrooms, uses probeware and online simulations and combines two well-established instructional strategies: the 5E Learning Cycle (Bybee et al. 2006) and the…

Compares the features of the sonic rangers available from HRM Software, MICROMEASUREMENTS, NAGAWTIS Software Research, and PASCO Scientific for demonstrations and experiments in mechanics. Presents the advantages of the sonic rangers and the typical graphics displayed by each software package. (YP)

Reviews a computer courseware package for mechanics at the high school and introductory college level. Discusses one-dimensional collisions, two-dimensional collisions, and simple harmonic motion programs. Shows two typical monitor displays. Rates this program as good overall. (YP)

Reviews the computer software, "Science Toolkit," made by Broderbund Software. The software covers experiments on light, temperature, timing, motion, speed, and frequency by using interfacing equipment. Provides an evaluation and four typical monitor displays. Concludes that it is an excellent software package. (YP)

Points out two areas of difficulty in teaching Newtonian dynamics. Describes several alternatives to physics learning using new technology. Details the use of the LOGO computer language in teaching simple Newtonian environments. Suggests the potential for creating new learning experiences in dynamics with new technology. (CW)

Reviews "Vernier Software: Precision Timer II" for high school through college mechanics. Introduces 14 different modes including pulse time, pendulum timer, bouncer timer, gate timer, collision timers, and stroke calibration. Provides two typical displays and ratings of the software. (YP)

Describes projects for high school physics classes that use computer tools including integrated software packages, graphing calculators, and calculator-based lab and microcomputer-based lab. Sites available on the World Wide Web are discussed and specific examples of experiments based on Galileo and Newton are included. (LRW)

Summarizes the evaluation of computer software presented in "The Physics Teacher" since 1984. Describes several programs for integrating courseware use into classes including "TimeLog" for a message/bulletin board, Control Data "Physics 1" for problem solving, some demonstration programs, and "Physics Laboratory Programs" for programing skills.…

Computer software packages that are commercially available for physics instruction are compiled in this paper. Information for each program includes: the broad subject category (i.e., mechanics, waves and sound, heat and thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, optics and light, modern physics, mathematical models, or general reference/testing…

Presents information and concerns regarding computer courseware, books, and audiovisual materials reviewed by teachers. Covers a variety of topics including dissection of common classroom specimens, medicine, acid rain projects, molecules, the water cycle, erosion, plankton, and evolution. Notes on availability, price, and needed equipment, where…

Describes the implementation of a trajectory-plotting program for a microcomputer; shows how it may be used to demonstrate the focusing effect of a simple electrostatic lens. The computer program is listed and diagrams are included that show comparisons of trajectories of negative charges in the vicinity of positive charges. (TW)

Describes a heat capacity experiment designed to provide an interactive environment between the student, the experiment, and the computer. Discusses computer software that has been developed so that the entire interaction can be coordinated from the computer keyboard. (TW)

Provides a listing of a software graphics program that investigates the law of reflection and Snell's law of refraction. Written in BASIC for the Apple II personal computer. (MVL)

Describes software that was designed in the United Kingdom to promote conceptual change in secondary school students studying mechanics. Direct Manipulation of Mechanical Microworlds, an interactive computer simulation, and VARILAB, a computer-based language for modelling systems, are explained; and two studies that will evaluate the effectiveness…