David Baxter

How do astronomers figure out distances to far away objects? And how do astronomers estimate the sizes of planets, orbits, and other galaxies? One of the simplest methods is to use ratios of measurements. The Telescope Lab is a great way to introduce students to methods used by astronomers to estimate and calculate the sizes and distances. Students can use the lab with inexpensive telescopes, binoculars, or telescope kits that can be purchased from science supply companies. The entire lab acti

Can you imagine former presidents George Washington riding a skate board or Lyndon B. Johnson doing the moonwalk? What would position-time graphs of their motion look like? The Reading Speed Graphs Assignment helps teach students to use position-time graphs to find the slope of graph lines and to connect the meaning of slopes with the speeds of objects. Imagining former presidents doing activities more familiar to students these days helps to add a little fun to the activity. The idea of “rise

The Acceleration Assignment is a worksheet that starts with a comparison of speed and acceleration in terms of the equations, units, motion maps, and position-time graphs. The second half of the assignment gives students practice figuring out changes in speed and calculating basic acceleration problems.

The Cart Motion Investigation is a great way for students to learn to create their own graphs of motion involving constant speed for objects that travel fast or move slowly, sit at rest, and move backwards. The investigation leads students through the process of predicting what each type of motion will be like, then gathering data, plotting the points on a graph, drawing lines of best fit, and reaching conclusions about each type of motion. This lab works great with battery powered toys that mov

The Acceleration Investigation is a great way for students to learn to create their own graphs of motion involving acceleration. The investigation leads students through the process of predicting what each type of motion will be like, then gathering data, plotting the points on a graph, drawing lines of best fit, and reaching conclusions about each type of motion. This investigation can be done as a whole class, using one cart, or it can be done by separate lab groups with their own sets of equ

Getting to know your students is an important part of starting a new class or a new school year. This introduction page gives students a chance to share a little bit about themselves and about what types of classroom environments work best for them. Students also have an opportunity to briefly describe their future goals and plans. As a teacher, I keep these pages all year and use them whenever I contact home. There is a place at the bottom for students to provide home contact information and ex