Evidence of Energy: An Introduction to Mechanics, Vol. 2

By Jack E. Gartrell, Jr.

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• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0873550927
• ISBN13: 9780873550925
• Release Date: June 1990
• Publisher: Natl Science Teachers Assn
• Length: 200 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.0" x 0.8" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Good Resource for Middle School Classroom

Like its companion book, "Methods of Motion," which I previously reviewed, I have been using parts of this book for several years now. Although the nature of my curriculum was such that I did not use this book as much as the other, I was pleased with what it had to offer my eighth graders. The book offers 30 activities (24 labs & 4 video suggestions) spread among 6 modules: (1) Pondering Projectile Pathways (2) It's All in a Day's Work (3) Energy and Energy Conversions (4) Machines Are Simple! (5) Seesaws, Steering Wheels, and Screwdrivers: Applications of Torque (6) Center of Gravity. There are also 10 readings at the end of the book, referenced to specific activities. They were a little challenging for some of the students in my heterogeneous classes, but they were able to get what I wanted them to with a little bit of additional structure from me. Each activity has student handout pages that include directions and questions as well as a guide for the teacher (with answers to the questions with background information, preparation hints, and ideas for further study. All of the activities use easily obtained materials, and I was often able to substitute others as well.The favorite activities were: "Bent Barrel Ballistics," "Pancake Catapults" (a BIG HIT), "Discovering Your Personal Center of Gravity," and "Center of Gravity: Magical Motivational Demonstrations." Although this book was in 1990, and, therefore, has no references to the national science standards, each module has an introduction that provides the teacher with the "big picture" and instructional objectives.One more thing. The videos suggested in this book are all part of the "Eureka!" video series produced by TVOntario. I never tried to obtain them, so I cannot comment on their availability.