Group for Initiatives in Physics Education
       
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Best Physics
Websites by Rebecca Wenning Evaluation Tool
– Websites receive one star per applying criteria (*). Websites of exceptional quality and teacher/student utility are labeled
as gems (GEM). Depth: Information enhances what might be found in a typical textbook Breadth: Information put into historical or conceptual context Sponsorship: Site sponsored by a reputable state/national/international organization or institution (not personal pages) Unique aspect: Site offers a significant aspect not yet found on any other site (idea, professional development, interactivity) Usability: Most links are working, searches and menus easy to use, utility to physics teachers’ everyday life, credible site (Would I use it?) SITES ARE HIGH-SCHOOL FOCUSED, FREE, and NON-COMMERCIAL Websites were found via: The Physics Teacher website column (2004-2006) Visiting websites from TPT and following links pages Google directory categories --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ORIGINAL SOURCE
DOCUMENTS/HISTORY --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The NIST Reference on Constants, Units, and Uncertainty GEM ***** Most recent published values for constants with uncertainty, bibliographic search for original research articles. http://physics.nist.gov/cuu/Constants/index.html A Century of Physics Timeline ***** Clickable timeline with brief explanations of historic physics events from 1890 to the present. http://timeline.aps.org/APS/Timeline/ History Exhibits/Selected Great Papers ***** Online exhibits on Curie, Einstien,
Transistors, Famous papers by Franklin, Joseph Henry, Michelson, Rowland, Gibbs, Millikan, Compton. http://www.aip.org/history/exhibits.html Galileo’s Battle for the Heavens ***** Biography, online experiments for falling objects, projectiles, inclined planes, pendulums. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/galileo/ Galileo Project ***** Biography, information on science of Galileo’s day, student projects (click on “Library”) Einstein’s Big Idea ***** Biography, interactive exhibits on time dilation, light speed, science history. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/einstein/ Internet Modern History Sourcebook **** Original documents by Copernicus, Galileo,
Bacon, Descartes, Voltaire, http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/modsbook09.html Selected Classic Papers from the History of Chemistry **** Excellent collection of papers about gasses, kinetics, thermodynamics, etc. http://web.lemoyne.edu/~giunta/papers.html Contributions of 20th Century Women to Physics **** Biographies of 86 women physicists, documents regarding women in physics. Neils Bohr Library **** Very comprehensive search engine for original physics documents. Library contents are not loaned out of the building – photocopies can be made at a cost. http://www.aip.org/history/nblbro.htm Benjamin Franklin as my Lab Partner **** Original documents about experiments on
electrostatics by http://www.tufts.edu/as/wright_center/fellows/bob_morse_04/06_Franklin_Lab_Part_VI.pdf “Physics” by Aristotle **** Original document by Aristotle. http://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/physics.html “The Theory of Sound” by Lord Raleigh **** Original document by http://www.measure.demon.co.uk/docs/Theory.html - note1 “Reflections on
the Motive Power of Heat” **** Original document by Carnot. http://www.history.rochester.edu/steam/carnot/1943/ “On Scientific
Method” *** Excerpt from Percy W. Bridgman’s Reflections of a Physicist, 1955. http://hackensackhigh.org/~nelsonb/bridgman.html --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GENERAL PHYSICS SITES
for Teachers (Curriculum, Tests, Worksheets, Assistive Programs, On-line
textbooks, Physics Encyclopedias) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Modeling Instruction
Program GEM ***** Modeling curriculum: Mechanics, Models of light, Mechanical waves and sound, Microscopic E&M, CASTLE. Some files only accessible with password from workshops. Diagnoser Tool GEM ***** Physics diagnostic tool with “corrective” lesson suggestions for Description of motion, Nature of forces, Forces to explain motion, and Sound/light/waves. Diagnostic tests very critical thinking-oriented, but displayed results are somewhat difficult to interpret holistically. http://www.diagnoser.com/diagnoser/ Annenberg Media GEM ***** Mechanical Universe 52-part series (videos approximately 20 – 60 minutes long). On-demand video, requires fast computer connection. http://www.learner.org/resources/series42.html Internet Archive (Physics B/C) GEM ***** Excellent introductory minutes-long videos for most physics subjects. Click on chosen lesson; to start video, click on “Click here to begin lesson” found in upper left corner. http://www.archive.org/details/ap_physics_b http://www.archive.org/details/ap_physics_c Case study teaching method, comprehensive case collection, case ideas, assessment plans, professional development. http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/projects/cases/case.html Physics Teaching
Resources ( Curriculum, resources. Some searching required, but lots of great resources found embedded in “Methods Courses: Syllabi” http://www.phy.ilstu.edu/pte/resources.html ClassNotesOnline.com **** Free database to create teacher website and grade book. http://www.classnotesonline.com/index.php Socratic Dialogue Inducing Labs **** Inquiry labs in mechanics. http://www.physics.indiana.edu/~sdi/ Dolores Gende Homepage **** Personal teacher page with traditional labs, innovative projects (equilibrium mobiles, lawnmower science), and great resources. Activity-Based Physics **** On-line books, alternative (real-world
application) homework assignments, thinking problems, estimation problems,
problem collection from The Physics Suite. http://www.physics.umd.edu/rgroups/ripe/perg/abp/ The Physics Hypertextbook *** Online book/workbook under construction. Many topics missing, but what can be found is generally high quality. For practice problems and high quality worksheets, click on “Problem Sets,” choose a topic, and browse pages to find “worksheets.” http://hypertextbook.com/physics/ Physics Education
Research Group *** Research information and publications on
latest trends in physics teaching. http://umperg.physics.umass.edu/ How Stuff Works *** Explanations of how a myriad of things work. ] Experiment Problems *** Real-world inquiry problems easily implemented
into classic labs. http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~physedu/index2.html comPADRE *** Science partnership information.
Search lesson plans, activities, and labs. Search categories very specific, but
some results are commercial. http://www.compadre.org/portal/index.cfm The Physics Front *** Search engine from ComPadre. New teacher focus http://www.thephysicsfront.org/ Same search engine as from ComPadre. No significant
difference from The Physics Front. Movie Physics *** Movie reviews with physics ratings. Physics concepts explained, but few suggestions for teaching. http://intuitor.com/moviephysics/index.html Physics Central ** Physics news, Ask a physicist, How things work. http://www.physicscentral.com/ Physlink.com ** Physics news, Careers, Higher Education, Internet hub, but little information of its own. http://www.physlink.com/Education/Index.cfm Physics Teaching Technology Resource ** Videos of traditional demonstrations. Click on side menu after selecting category. http://paer.rutgers.edu/PT3/index.php Video Analysis Investigations for Physics and Mathematics ** Videos of traditional demonstrations. Allow time for video to load. http://www.science.tamu.edu/CMSE/videoanalysis/index.htm Lecture Demonstrations ** List/diagrams of classic demonstrations. http://www.mip.berkeley.edu/physics/index.html Traditional labs to be used with http://www.pasco.com/experiments/physics/ Dr. Hoselton’s Physics Pages ** Traditional labs, applets, worksheets. http://faculty.trinityvalleyschool.org/hoseltom/? National Science Digital Library * Web search, General science focus. Discovery * Search for upcoming TV shows about physics (check Mythbusters) Low Cost Physics Activities * Traditional labs and worksheets for the low-budget teacher. http://www.science.tamu.edu/CMSE/LowCostPhysicsActivities.htm IB Physics * Step-by-step visuals of traditional labs, accompanying questions. http://www.saburchill.com/physics/practicals/contents.html --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GENERAL PHYSICS SITES
for Students (Interactive Applets, On-line Activities, Tutorials) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Physics Education
Technology GEM ***** Free simulation programs (Circuit Construction, Masses & Springs, Radio Waves and Electromagnetic Fields, Wave on a String, Balloons & Static Electricity, Gas Properties, Balloons and Buoyancy, The Moving Man, Sound, Projectile Motion). http://www.colorado.edu/physics/phet/web-pages/index.html Physics.org GEM ***** Physics Life interactive program to
discover physics in the everyday world, Physics Evolution clickable map,
Equation toolbox, Common questions, Careers. The Physics Classroom ***** Tutorials, On-line textbook. http://www.physicsclassroom.com/ Nobelprize.org ***** List of Nobel prize winners by year. Click under winner’s name in lower right corner to access other resources, including online tutorials and games regarding the winner’s work. http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/ Hyperphysics **** Extremely thorough concept map encyclopedia, calculators for common physics problems. http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hframe.html Fear of Physics ** Visual physics, homework help, answers to common questions. Be wary about giving this link to students – the “homework help” section has calculators for multiple common physics problems, possibly resulting in cheating. It may be a good review or problem checking tool, however. Virtual Physics Laboratory (I) ** Most comprehensive applet site so far (traditional physics phenomena) http://www.phy.ntnu.edu.tw/java/indexPopup.html Concept Simulations ** Audio with applets (traditional physics and applications) http://www3.interscience.wiley.com:8100/legacy/college/cutnell/0471151831/concepts/ Flash Animations for Physics ** Very catchy flash applets (physics and mathematical processes) http://www.upscale.utoronto.ca/GeneralInterest/Harrison/Flash/ - misc Computer Animations ** Applets of physical processes and famous experiments. Not seemingly appropriate for showing to entire class – images not big enough. http://physics.nad.ru/Physics/English/index.htm --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPECIFIC PHYSICS
CONTENT --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mechanics and
Energy US Department of Energy: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy ***** Grade-appropriate worksheets about types of energy and conservation http://www.eere.energy.gov/education/science_projects.html Amusement Park Physics **** Tutorials about roller coasters, carousels, bumper cars,
free fall, pendulums, and ride safety. Activities include Design a Roller
Coaster (and receive a safety and fun rating), and Colliding Cars prediction
quiz. http://www.learner.org/exhibits/parkphysics/ Roller Coaster
Physics ( Roller coaster science articles, labs, and
tests. http://www.vast.org/vip/book/HOME.HTM Beginner’s Guide to Aerodynamics **** Physics of airplanes, activities, lessons, assessments. http://www.lerc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/bga.html Exploratorium (Skateboarding) **** Conceptual physics behind skateboarding tricks http://www.exploratorium.edu/skateboarding/ Forces, Accelerations, and Car Crashes **** Impressive car crash videos showing various seat-belt and
no-belt scenarios. http://regentsprep.org/Regents/physics/phys01/accident/ The Math and Physics of Soccer *** Humorous site with short articles describing physics of soccer. http://www.oceansiderevolution.com/EINSTEIN.HTM Animated Engines *** Applets of internal combustion, steam, and stirling engines. http://www.keveney.com/Engines.html Babe Ruth Problem Babe Ruth home run problem . *** http://168.229.236.6/~rkc1/p4.pg73.n63.html Mr. Fizzix Trebuchet Project *** Integrated lessons on trebuchet physics. http://mrfizzix.com/trebuchet/index.htm
Physics of Medieval Archery ** Basic archery physics, historical background http://www.stortford-archers.org.uk/medieval.htm Archery Physics ** More complex archery physics http://www.student.utwente.nl/%7Esagi/artikel/bas/archghh.html Physics of Weight Training ** Physics of weight lifting, click on “Part 2” etc. for more information http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/becker2.htm Electricity and
Magnetism Transistorized ***** Tutorials, Build a Transistor game. http://www.pbs.org/transistor/ Exploring Electric Fields *** Map electric fields by placing charges and finding lines of electric field. http://www.gel.ulaval.ca/~mbusque/elec/ Light and Vision Atmospheric Optics (I) **** Photographs of atmospheric optics with conceptual physics explanations. http://www.atoptics.co.uk/light.htm Atmospheric Optics ** Photographs categorized by physics phenomena, but no physics
explanations. http://www.weather-photography.com/gallery.php?cat=optics Optical Illusions ** Fun optical illusions with explanations,
but not much physics. Wave Optics ** Applet (Interference experiment) http://vsg.quasihome.com/interf.htm Sound and Hearing Music Acoustics ***** Physics of various instruments, hearing test. http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/music/ Soundry **** Tour the ear, Physics of music, History of sound http://library.thinkquest.org/19537/Main.html Modern Physics RadTown Clickable city showing common sources of radiation. Particle Physics ***** Tutorials on particle physics. http://particleadventure.org/particleadventure/ Cosmic Evolution ***** Clickable timeline, movies, activities. http://www.tufts.edu/as/wright_center/cosmic_evolution/ Nuclear Pathways **** Hub for sites with digital libraries, Nuclear Energy Institute **** Article resources. For lessons, click on “Science Club” Antimatter **** Tutorials, physics news, history of
antimatter. http://livefromcern.web.cern.ch/livefromcern/antimatter/ Understanding Radiation in Our World *** Free kit for teachers. http://www.nsc.org/ehc/rad/radbroch.htm General Atomics
Fusion Education *** Curriculum workbooks, posters. http://fusioned.gat.com/classroom.html --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PROFESSIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS/JOURNALS --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- American Association of Physics Teachers ***** Professional development opportunities, The Physics Teacher, American Journal of Physics. Physics Teacher Education Coalition ***** Professional development opportunities, national science education reports (Go to “Links”), curricula (Go to “Links”). Journal of Physics Teacher Education Online http://www.phy.ilstu.edu/jpteo National Science Teacher Association ***** Professional development with general science focus. The Science Teacher. American Institute of Physics ***** Career information, online history of physics exhibit hall, Physics Education http://www.iop.org/EJ/journal/PhysEd American Physical Society **** Career information, physics news, Physics Education Research Phys-L (Online Community) *** Forum – physics teacher talk about a variety of subjects. https://carnot.physics.buffalo.edu/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- National Science Education Standards ***** National Science
Education Standards http://www.nap.edu/readingroom/books/nses/html/ Inquiry and the National Science Education Standards ***** Inquiry and the NSES (Click on “Read this Book Online, Free!”) http://newton.nap.edu/catalog/9596.html AAAS/Project 2061 ***** Science for All Americans, Benchmarks, Blueprints for Reform http://www.project2061.org/publications/toolWeb.htm |