Building Things in Physics Classes + Physics Demos Galore!

Dr. Pete ConnTeacher Workshops

Presented by Sean Lally
Tuesday, June 7, 2022 ◉ 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm ◉ Zoom presentation

Building Things in Physics Classes
You might be surprised (and perhaps a little dismayed) to learn how few of your students have actually built things with their own hands. Physics teachers have a unique opportunity to allow students to build their own lab devices. In doing this, I have found that students usually take ownership of their learning and better understand how things work. In this workshop, I will describe several of the things I have students build (toy cars, mobiles, motors, microphones, speakers, musical instruments, pickups, etc.), discuss the physics being taught, and will provide time for teachers to construct their own versions of the devices.

Target Audience: Middle school, high school, and college physics (and physical science) teachers. This may be of special interest to those who teach activities-based classes such as “How Things Work.”

Physics Demos Galore!
Physics teachers of a certain age may remember Julius Sumner Miller or Mr. Wizard. Miller, in particular, was the first physics teacher I remember seeing (on public television). He captured my imagination immediately, and I was not only sold on physics, but also on the power of a good demonstration. In this workshop, I will share some of my favorite demonstrations, largely learned from better and wiser teachers than myself. I will focus on demos that require only humble materials, as well as a few that are more elaborate.

Target Audience: Middle school, high school, and college physics (and physical science) teachers

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Presenter

Sean Lally is the Physics and Astronomy Teacher at Jemicy School (Baltimore MD), a school that focuses on students with dyslexia and related learning issues. He also teaches courses in physics and engineering for Towson University and Johns Hopkins University. Prior to relocating to Baltimore, Sean taught in Pittsburgh, PA at Sewickley Academy, Duquesne University, and other small colleges. He has won several teaching and demonstration awards, and is a co-author of the Holt Physics Laboratory Manual, among other publications. He finds great enjoyment in the physics of holography, observational astronomy and imaging, radio astronomy, kites, and the physics of music.