A student simulation into charging objects using induction and conduction

Link to the lesson plan for this charging simulation/demonstration.
Video demonstration for this simulation, completed by a student.
This lesson complies with Physics standards Part IV, Topic 25 (1a, 1b, 1c) (WASSCE 2016).

When a charged object, such as a blown-up balloon that one rubs on a sweater, is held near a piece of fur or the hairs on someone's arm, the fur or hair will stick up and point towards the balloon, even if the balloon is not touching the fur or hair. This is a process called induction, where the electric field from the net charge of the balloon polarizes the fur or hair, causing an attractive force. If the balloon actually touched the fur or hair, then charge could physically move from one object to the other; this transfer of charge is called charging by conduction.

With these two processes, students will be given a situation and outcome for some number of metallic objects. Students will need to develop a method for that task to actually be able to happen, and using any physical objects they choose as manipulatives, explain how it could work out!

Rotational motion in physics - some examples to try

For any physics classes that do rotational motion, with minimal supplies and materials perhaps some of the activities listed in this lesson could be used as demonstrations or lab examples. The big ideas for rotations is that one or more forces acting on an object or system must create a torque on the object in order to change the rotational motion of the object, that the shapes of objects matter because different shapes have different moments of inertia, and that angular momentum is conserved when there is no external torques acting on an object or system. Give some a try!

Examples of Newton's 1st law of motion: Law of Inertia

One of the "BIG" ideas in physics is Newton's 1st law of motion, which states that objects at rest remain at rest, and objects in motion continue to move at a constant velocity, unless acted upon by an external net force. The property of matter that makes matter want to remain in the same state of motion is what we call inertia.

Like most concepts in science, it is one thing to read about the concept or see pictures of examples of that concept out in the world, but usually it is best to be able to observe and measure things yourself - to do the experiment or do a physical demonstration of the concept or phenomenon. So for us to be able to witness the 1st law in person, there are a number of ways to do so. Check out the following video that provides a few examples using simple materials, and then be creative and think of other ways to show the same concept!

Paper airplane lesson in Kenya

One of our Physics lessons has to do with paper airplanes. These are fun and a good inquiry lesson for students of just about every age. Recently, a version of it was used by Koen Timmers at the Kakuma Refugee Camp in northern Kenya, where some 190,000 registered refugees live. Koen opened new school buildings and wanted to do a STEM lesson, but had almost no materials with which to work. He turned to SEE SAW and had a successful lesson with about 200 students. Check out the blog on this activity!

https://twitter.com/zelfstudie/status/1232346168493039616

Maths Lessons for EducAid Math Fair

We were so fortunate to have an Evanston alum and math wizard, Anna Pierrehumbert, get in touch with us because she was interested in this project and model for helping others learn mathematics topics. She wrote a number of math lessons that involved collaborative work and active learning of math.

The following lessons can be viewed and used:
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Graphing: Matching graphs game
- Graphing 
- Statistics
- Trigonometry: Instructions for making clinometer for trigonometry lesson
- Trigonometry
- Vectors and transformations cards needed for the lesson below
- Vectors and transformations

These lessons were used in Sierra Leone for the EducAid Math Fair!!

Physics Activity - Rubber band launcher (for projectile motion)

Link to Rubber band launcher training video. 

This activity is based on a rubber band device that can launch small objects, such as small marbles or stones, in a controlled manner so students can apply principles of projectile motion studied in many physics classes.

The rules and concepts that help us understand objects moving through the air in a parabolic path are based on fundamental physics principles and mathematical relationships. A constant horizontal speed, combined with a constant vertical acceleration due to gravity, are the reasons why we see the curved path.

With this launcher, students can measure the angle the projectile is launched at, and the horizontal distance it flies before it lands. Students can also stand where the object reaches its highest point, and can try and measure that height. If a timer or stop watch is available, students can time how long the object is in the air. From these measurements, students can try to use the kinematics equations (constant acceleration equations) to figure out the launch speed of the projectile. There are different variations of measurements a teacher can ask students to make, in order to calculate different quantities.

If there is access to the Internet, there is a nice simulation experiment that can be used to study properties of projectile motion; this includes the addition of air friction, which is difficult to consider in a physical experiment.

Biology Lesson: Punnett Squares and Genetics

Link for Punnett Square and Genetics lesson plan.
Link for Punnett Square and Genetics training video.
Step-by-step - How to make a Punnett Square. 

Punnett squares are interesting diagrams that allow us to figure out the probability, or odds, of an offspring having certain traits, based on the parents' genetic contributions. This method considers whether the parents have dominant and/or recessive genes being contributed to the offspring, and then by looking at all the possible pairings of a gene from the mother and another from the father, probabilities are determined from the pool of pairings.

For humans, traits for eye and hair color, skin tone, the size and shape of ears and other body parts, and so on, can be considered and the odds determined from a Punnett square.

This technique and topic also presents a fairly rare instance of mathematics being used in middle school or high school level biology. Punnett squares are a nice application of probability in a math class, and can be used to show connections between some math classes and a biology class.