Arduino Science Kit Physics Lab

KEY FEATURES

• Enables students to think critically, solve problems, and get them acquainted with data analysis
• No prior electronics knowledge is necessary - just plug and play!
• Easy to set up
• Extensive learning outcomes help students to thrive in science
• Create a playful, collaborative environment where students want to learn
• Meet key curriculum targets with links to NGSS and the English National Curriculum for Science

OVERVIEW

Science teachers who want to bring an inquiry-based, hands-on approach to their middle school classrooms can enable their students to think and act like real scientists with Science Kit Physics Lab. Developed in partnership with Google, the kit, along with nine exciting projects, challenges students to explore and explain the physics behind amusement park rides. They examine forces, motion, magnetism, and conductivity, make their own hypotheses like real scientists, then check their assumptions and log data on Google’s Science Journal app, a digital notebook for conducting and documenting science experiments in real-time. No prior coding experience is needed - students can simply run their experiments straight out of the box with plug-and-play projects.

What is Science Kit Physics Lab?

Science Kit Physics Lab includes all the hardware and software needed to assemble and conduct nine fun physics experiments based on favorite amusement park rides, covering electromagnetism, thermodynamics, kinetics, and kinematics. The kit includes a range of sensors to measure light, temperature, motion, and magnetic fields, along with a set of props and access to online course content for both teachers and students. You’ll just need to provide a few essential classroom supplies (pencils, rulers, etc.) and a LiPo battery. We recommend two students per kit.

More here.

How Science Kit Physics Lab works?

Never fear - no prior electronics knowledge is required. Students simply upload a sketch of their amusement park ride onto an Arduino board, connect their Android mobile device to the board, build their project, and then use the onboard sensor and plug-and-play modules to simulate the ride’s dynamics. Data is transmitted from the experiment to the student's mobile device via Bluetooth, where they can analyze and record their results in Google’s Science Journal App or on worksheets.

Electromagnetism and Thermodynamics

• ELECTRIC FORTUNE TELLER: Investigate resistivity, and voltage of different materials.
• BUZZ WIRE: Steadiest hand wins! Build a conductive ‘maze’ and then try to avoid the buzzer as you guide the loop around your course.
• HAUNTED HOUSE THEREMIN: Did you hear that? Make paranormal noise with a magnet
• THERMO MAGIC SHOW: It’s not magic, it’s science! Learn about how different materials conduct or insulate heat.

Kinetics and Kinematics

• The DROP ZONE: Can you slide faster than your friends? Explore gravity and measure the acceleration of your Arduino board.
• The GRAVITRON: Scream if you want to go faster! Learn about rotations per minute, circular motion, the force required to spin this ride, and the relationship to centrifugal forces.
• The PIRATE SHIP: Captain the ship and test the oscillation of a pendulum.
• The EJECTION  SEAT: 3… 2… 1… Ignition! Make your board bounce to learn about harmonic motion.
• The SPHEROTRON: Don’t get dizzy… Learn more about potential energy and motion.

The projects featured in the kit have been aligned with several National curricula including the Next Generation Science Standard (NGSS) for K-12, and the National UK Curriculum.
The Arduino Education Science Kit Physics Lab isn't confined to the classroom. In fact, students can use the kit outdoors to turn the playground into their very own fairground by applying the concepts they've learned to design and test their own rides.

What does Science Kit Physics Lab include?

• Hardware (all the hardware to assemble and conduct 9 experiments)
• Software platform for educators with a teacher guide and printable student worksheets
• Software platform for students with a detailed glossary, tutorial section, building instructions, worksheets, and nine hands-on physics experiments 

KEY LEARNING VALUES

• Present experimental data in tables and charts
• Evaluate a scientific hypothesis
• Explore possible variables to design an open-ended investigation
• Distinguish between a conductor and an insulator, and measure resistance and conductivity of different materials
• Represent magnetic fields through sound
• Investigate the effect of materials between a magnet and the magnetometer on the strength of magnetic field
• Compare the thermal conductivity of different materials
• Identify materials that are thermal conductors or thermal insulators based on experimental observations
• Describe the motion of a pendulum, measure its period and frequency, monitor its acceleration, and identify the forces acting on it

RECOMMENDED FOR

Age 11 to 14

WARRANTY

2 years

More information here.