Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Interactions and Energy Page

Activity 1: Measuring Speed ..................................................................................... 1-3

Activity 1 Homework: Ideas about Learning Science .......................................... 1-17
Activity 2: Motion and Energy ................................................................................. 1-21
Activity 2 Homework: More on Scientific Explanations ........................................... 1-39
Activity 3: Another Contact Interaction.................................................................... 1-45
Activity 4: Slowing and Stopping............................................................................. 1-55
Activity 4 Homework: More on Contact Interactions ............................................... 1-69
Activity 5: Warming and Cooling ............................................................................. 1-73
Activity 5 Homework: Interactions with the Surroundings....................................... 1-85
Activity 6: Keeping Track of Energy ........................................................................ 1-91
Activity 6 Homework: Energy Conservation and Friction...................................... 1-107
Activity 7: Explaining Phenomena using Energy Ideas......................................... 1-111

Chapter 2: Interactions and Forces Page

Activity 1: Interactions and Force.............................................................................. 2-3

Activity 2: Motion with a Continuous Force ............................................................. 2-15
Activity 2 Homework: Pushing a Skateboarder....................................................... 2-29
Activity 3: Pushes and Slowing Down..................................................................... 2-35
Activity 3 Homework 1: Combinations of Forces .................................................... 2-51
Activity 3 Homework 2: Childrens Ideas about Force and Motion ...................... 2-65
Activity 4: Childrens Ideas about Force, Motion and Energy ............................. 2-69
Activity 4: Transcript ............................................................................................... 2-73
Activity 5: Friction and Slowing ............................................................................... 2-75
Activity 5 Homework: Childrens Ideas about Friction ......................................... 2-87
Activity 5 Homework: Transcript ............................................................................ 2-93
Activity 6: Changing Force-Strength and Mass ...................................................... 2-99
Activity 6 Homework: Changing Direction............................................................. 2-115
Activity 7: Motion with Balanced Forces ............................................................... 2-127
Activity 8: Explaining Phenomena using Force Ideas........................................... 2-141

Chapter 3: Interactions and Systems Page

Activity 1: Magnetic Interactions ............................................................................... 3-3

Activity 1 Homework: More on Magnetic Interactions............................................. 3-17
Activity 2: Electric Charge Interactions ................................................................... 3-27
Activity 2 Homework 1: Interactions Between Charged and Uncharged Objects... 3-41
Activity 2 Homework 2: Observations and Models .............................................. 3-49
Activity 3: Gravitational Interactions........................................................................ 3-53
Activity 3 Homework: Using Energy and Force Ideas............................................. 3-63
Activity 4: Strength of the Gravitational Force ........................................................ 3-69
Activity 5: Explaining Phenomena--Magnetism, Electric Charges and Gravity ...... 3-89

2007 PET iii

Table of Contents

Chapter 4: Model of Magnetism Page

Activity 1: Experiments with Magnetism ....................................................................4-3

Activity 2: Initial Model for Magnetism .....................................................................4-15
Activity 3: Better Model for Magnetism ....................................................................4-29
Activity 3 Homework: Behavior of a Collection of Magnets .....................................4-55
Activity 4: Explaining Phenomena Involving Magnetism .........................................4-53
Activity 4 Homework: The Nature of Science ......................................................4-61
Activity 5: Historical Development of a Model of Magnetism ..................................4-71
Activity 5 Homework: Childrens Ideas about Magnetism ....................................4-77
Activity 5 Homework: Transcripts ...........................................................................4-83
Activity 5 Homework: Pictures ................................................................................4-93

Chapter 5: Electric Circuit Interactions Page

Activity 1: Electric Circuit Interactions........................................................................5-3

Activity 2: Electric Circuits and Energy ....................................................................5-19
Activity 2 Homework: Multi-Bulb Circuits and Energy ............................................5-41
Activity 3: Electric Circuits and Current ...................................................................5-47
Activity 3 Homework: Multi-Bulb Circuits and Electric Current ................................5-69
Activity 4: Short Circuits...........................................................................................5-79
Activity 4 Homework: Childrens Ideas about Electricity ......................................5-91
Activity 4 Homework: Transcripts ...........................................................................5-97
Activity 5: Energy Conservation and Efficiency .....................................................5-103
Activity 6: Explaining the Wake-Up Machine .........................................................5-115

Chapter 6: Light Interactions Page

Activity 1: Shiny Surfaces and Seeing.......................................................................6-3

Activity 1 Homework 1: Mirrors ................................................................................6-19
Activity 1 Homework 2: Childrens Ideas about Light ..........................................6-25
Activity 2: Childrens Ideas about Light and Vision ..............................................6-29
Activity 2 Homework: Ideas about Learning Science ..........................................6-47
Activity 3: Non-Shiny White and Black Surfaces .....................................................6-49
Activity 3 Homework: Refraction of Light.................................................................6-65
Activity 4: Light and Color ........................................................................................6-73
Activity 4 Homework: Social Scientists Ideas .....................................................6-85
Activity 5: Explaining Phenomena Involving Light and Color ..................................6-89

Appendices Page

How to use the Student Resources DVD ................................................................. A-3

How to use the Motion Sensor with Data Studio ...................................................... A-5
How to use the Motion Sensor with Logger Lite ....................................................... A-9
How to use the Motion Sensor with Logger Pro Version 2..................................... A-13
How to use the Motion Sensor with Logger Pro Version 3..................................... A-17
How to Use the PET Simulators ............................................................................. A-21

These activities and homework exercises focus on Learning about Learning issues (nature of
science, elementary students ideas, or PET students learning), and may include readings,
video transcripts, and students drawings.

iv