Introduction to Physics: Magnets, Electricity, and Forces at a Distance
In this seven week long, inquiry-based physical science course learners will use simulations, models, data, hands on labs, and primary sources to understand how forces operate at a distance using magnets and electricity.
Malikai Bass M.A
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5.0
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What's included
14 live meetings
10 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursHomework
Learners will have two homework assignments a week including small labs, simulations, reading, videos, and writing.Class Experience
US Grade 6 - 8
In this unit, students investigate the cause of the vibrations we learned about in the physics of sound unit where we focused on their effect. We will dissect a speaker (virtually) to explore the inner workings and engineer our own speakers to manipulate the parts. We will investigate each of these parts and figure out how they work together. Along the way we will learn about magnets, coils, currents, and electromagnets. We will scale up this technology to see it in a variety of contexts such as trains, junkyards, and electric cars! This course is designed for small communities of learners and is a hybrid of individualized tutoring and traditional instruction covering middle school science content. Each section has no more than six learners which provide a foundation for strong relationships, social-emotional learning, and truly individualized instruction. These classes are specifically designed for the inclusion of neurodivergent learners including dyslexia-friendly font, explicit executive functioning skills instruction, and support for AAC users and through the use of inquiry and project based learning strategies grounded in real-world context. This series is designed according to the Next Generation Science Standards organized by subject area. The focus for this year is on physical science . This curriculum is designed to allow students to develop skills to help them in traditional academic settings including high school or colleges such as note-taking and self-led learning. The class meets two days a week and homework reading, activities, and text-based discussions are completed on two additional weekdays. Students will complete a science notebook, a printable designed by the teacher, using graphic organizers and traditional note-taking strategies. Week 1: - Speaker Dissection - Initial Model - Driving Question Board - Magnet Lab 1 : Forces and Interaction Week 2: - Magnet Lab 2 (Electromagnets) - Energy Transfer Investigation - Introduction to Magnetic Fields Week 3: - Directionality in Magnetic Fields - How do Magnetic Fields Impact Objects - Mapping Magnetic Fields using a Compass - Visualizing Electromagnetic Fields using a Computer Interactive Week 4 - Model of magnetic fields in a speaker - updating driving question board - mid unit assessment - Using magnetic fields to explain interactions Week 5: - Distance Investigation Lab - Energy Transfer - Frequency and Volume - Electric Current Week 6: - How do Magnets and Electromagnets work together - Force Pairs in magnetic fields - Solo Invesitgation on other factors Week 7 - Speaker Improvement Project -Electricity Modeling Project - Final Assessment -Driving Question Board Review
Learning Goals
MS-PS2-3: Ask questions about data to determine the factors that affect the strength of electric and magnetic forces.
MS-PS2-5: Conduct an investigation and evaluate the experimental design to provide evidence that fields exist between objects exerting forces on each other even though the objects are not in contact.
MS-PS3-2: Develop a model to describe that when the arrangement of objects interacting at a distance changes, different amounts of potential energy are stored in the system.
MS-PS2-2*: Plan an investigation to provide evidence that the change in an object’s motion depends on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the object.
MS-PS3-1*: Construct and interpret graphical displays of data to describe the relationships of kinetic energy to the mass of an object and to the speed of an object.
MS-PS3-5*: Construct, use, and present arguments to support the claim that when the kinetic energy of an object changes, energy is transferred to or from the object (p. 61).
Disciplinary Core Ideas
The unit expands students’ understanding of forces and energy transfer, which include these grades 6-8 DCI elements:
PS2.B: Types of Interactions
Electrical and magnetic (electromagnetic) forces can be attractive or repulsive, and their sizes depend on the magnitudes of the charges, currents, or magnetic strengths involved and on the distances between the interacting objects. (MS‑PS2‑3)
Forces that act at a distance (electrical, magnetic, and gravitational) can be explained by fields that extend through space and can be mapped by their effect on a test object (a charged object, a magnet, or a ball, respectively). (MS‑PS2‑5)
PS3.A: Definitions of Energy
A system of objects may also contain stored (potential) energy, depending on their relative positions. (MS-PS3-2)
When two objects interact, each one exerts a force on the other that can cause energy to be transferred to or from the object. (MS-PS3-2)
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Learners will use a variety of online tools: nearpod, and jamboard. Both will be accessible through clicking links provided to your learner. Your learner does not need a log-in and no private information is collected. Learners should only use first names or initials on these tools.
Supply List
Learners will need the teacher created printable workbook. Learners will be provided a complete supply list for labs upon enrollment.
Language of Instruction
English
Joined April, 2021
5.0
318reviews
Popular
Teacher expertise and credentials
I have been working in science-based museums doing curriculum, programming, and education for students in a variety of settings for over twelve years. I worked at the Creative Discovery Museum on a pilot program which involved biological science and dissections for home educated students. I served as a peer tutor for the biology class listed above and helped college level students with a variety of backgrounds and support needs obtain content mastery. I led programming on a variety of inclusive science based summer camps including those partnering with the local zoo and aquarium.
During my graduate degree, I worked on projects with the Seattle Aquarium and Burke Museum on science education concepts. I collaborated on the design of virtual field trips which supported concept standards in earth and life sciences and applied science through museum evaluation. I have been teaching science to students in grades k-8 online for over two years in a variety of settings and have seen significant success. Last year, many of my students achieved above the 90th percentile on nationally standardized tests.
At East Tennessee State University I completed the following courses receiving near-perfect grades and completing all extension and academic work:
Integrated Stem for Education Majors, which I applied to the development and teaching of this course through the inclusion of math, technology and engineering principles and which prepares me well to teach them.
Concepts in Biology this course was designed for those wishing to teach Biology at a K-8 level and included teaching demonstrations, standards, and preparation for the K-6 Praxis exam for science concepts on which I scored in the 96th percentile.
Life in the Universe this course was an exploration of life science using an inquiry based model and which inspired my adaptation for this course. It covered a variety of life-science topics. Based on my performance in this course, I was nominated for nationally competitive research internships.
Science Education: Wildife Conservation: As part of a science education track, I took an honor’s section of this senior course focusing on wildlife conservation which included a variety of life science skills and strategies for those teaching kindergarten through eighth grade. Reviews
Live Group Class
$30
weekly or $210 for 14 classes2x per week, 7 weeks
45 min
Completed by 6 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-14
3-6 learners per class
