Students download the software needed to create Arduino programs and make sure their Arduino microcontrollers work correctly. Then, they connect an LED to the Arduino and type up and upload programs to the Arduino board to 1) make the LED blink on and off and 2) make the LED fade (brighten and then dim). Throughout, students reflect on what they've accomplished by answering questions and modifying the original programs and circuits in order to achieve new outcomes. A design challenge gives students a chance to demonstrate their understanding of actuators and Arduinos; they design a functioning system using an Arduino, at least three actuators and either a buzzer or toy motor. For their designs, students sketch, create and turn in a user's manual for the system (text description, commented program, detailed hardware diagram). Numerous worksheets and handouts are provided.

Learn about the relationship between position and velocity for a diver accelerating under the influence of gravity and air resistance. Measure velocity and position based on variables of the height of the cliff and air resistance. What did Galileo's free-fall mean? Find out from one of the four additional examples highlighting acceleration due to gravity.

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Explore a different way of thinking about electricity as a way to become familiar with the concept of potential, current, and resistance using this interactive simulation. A PDF worksheet and a video tutorial are also available. [4:18]

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Learn about electric circuits, the flow of current, electrical resistance, and electrical power dissipation by exploring the operation of a flashlight using this interactive simulation. A PDF worksheet and a video tutorial are also available. [4:57]

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Learn about the relationship between electric potential, current, and resistance in the context of high-voltage AC power lines using this interactive simulation. A PDF worksheet and a video tutorial are also available. [3:22]

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Students are introduced to the physics concepts of air resistance and launch angle as they apply to catapults. This includes the basic concepts of position, velocity and acceleration and their relationships to one another. They use algebra to solve for one variable given two variables.

Student teams measure voltage and current in order to determine the power output of a photovoltaic (PV) panel. They vary the resistance in a simple circuit connected to the panel to demonstrate the effects on voltage, current, and power output. After collecting data, they calculate power for each resistance setting, creating a graph of current vs. voltage, and indentifying the maximum power point.

Grades 3-5. Students use potatoes to light an LED clock (or light bulb) as they learn how a battery works in a simple circuit and how chemical energy changes to electrical energy. As they learn more about electrical energy, they better understand the concepts of voltage, current and resistance.

A collection of historical photos related to the Northwest Rebellion are housed here. They are sorted into various categories, e.g., battles, camp life, postal service, etc.

Students groups act as NASA/GM engineers challenged to design, build and test robotic hands, which are tactile feedback systems made from cloth gloves and force sensor circuits. Student groups construct force sensor circuits using electric components and FlexiForce sensors to which resistance changes based on the applied force. They conduct experiments to find the mathematical relationship between the force applied to the sensor and the output voltages of the circuit. They take several measurements force vs. resistance, force vs. voltage and use the data to find the best fit curve models for the sensor. Different weights applied to the sensor are used as a scalable force. Students use traditional methods and current technology (calculators) to plot the collected data and define the curve equations. Students test their gloves and use a line of best fit to determine the minimum force required to crack an egg held between the index finger and thumb. A PowerPoint(TM) file and many student handouts are included.

Students learn about electricity and air pollution while building devices to measure volatile organic compounds (VOC) by attaching VOC sensors to prototyping boards. In the second part of the activity, students evaluate the impact of various indoor air pollutants using the devices they made.

Students perform one of the first steps that environmental engineers do to determine water quality sampling and analysis. Student teams measure the electrical conductivity of four water samples (deionized water, purified water, school tap water and a salt-water solution) using teacher-made LED-conductivity testers and commercially available electrical conductivity meters. They use multimeters to also measure the resistance of the samples. They graph their collected data to see the relationship between the conductivity and resistance. Then, all students measure the conductivity of tap water samples brought to school from their homes; they organize and average their data by sub areas within their local school district to see if house location has any relationship to the water conductivity in their community.

Students build and use a very basic Coulter electric sensing zone particle counter to count an unknown number of particles in a sample of "paint" to determine if enough particles per ml of "paint" exist to meet a quality standard. In a lab experiment, student teams each build an apparatus and circuit, set up data acquisition equipment, make a salt-soap solution, test liquid flow in the apparatus, take data, and make graphs to count particles.

In the culminating activity of the unit, students explore and apply their knowledge of forces, friction, acceleration and gravity in a two-part experiment. First, student groups measure the average acceleration of a textbook pulled along a table by varying weights (with optional extensions, such as with the addition of a pulley or an inclined plane). Then, with a simple modification to the same experimental setup, teams test different surfaces for the effects of friction, graphing and analyzing their results. Students also consider the real-world applications for high- and low-friction surfaces for different situations and purposes, seeing how forces play a role in engineering design and material choices.

This project allows students to experimentally discover the temperature dependence of resistance using a copper wire, a standard 1 Ω resistor, and a piece of BSCCO 2223 superconducting tape. Using liquid nitrogen as the refrigerant, students will measure electrical resistance over a temperature range from -196 °C (77 K) to room temperature, approximately 22 °C (295 K).

This project allows students to experimentally discover the temperature dependence of resistance using a copper wire, a standard 1 Ω resistor, and a piece of BSCCO 2223 superconducting tape. Using liquid nitrogen as the refrigerant, students will measure electrical resistance over a temperature range from -196 °C (77 K) to room temperature, approximately 22 °C (295 K).

Animated map and images detailing the extraordinary efforts of people who risked everything to save European Jews from Nazi persecution and execution. [4:49]

The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum features the Jewish Parachutists from Palestine who volunteered to join the British Army. Describes their role in organizing resistance to the Germans and aiding in the rescue of Allied captives. Details how many volunteered, how many were left after training, where the volunteers were located and the outcome of their efforts. Provides map which details the location and the number of parachutists located in each area. Displays pictures of parachutists.

Article describes the various organized and individual resistance movements and actions taken by Jews in Germany and throughout Europe during World War II.

Find out about the event and societal needs lead to the invention of superconductors.