Bridging the visualization gap

This article is the definition of hands-on learning! Force/motion is all around us, yet can be one of the most difficult concepts within science to conceptualize. Even the NSTA SciPack on th... See More

This article is the definition of hands-on learning! Force/motion is all around us, yet can be one of the most difficult concepts within science to conceptualize. Even the NSTA SciPack on this topic emphasizes the importance of providing students with both qualitative and quantitative experiences with force and motion in order to bridge this common visualization gap. Using the 5E framework of engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate for science instruction, this article dissects an upper-elementary lesson that integrates an engaging (and cost-effective!) device into the classroom: the Fin-di. The Fin-di illustrates ideas around net force, acceleration, friction, and inertia using the simple materials of a peanut-butter jar, cork, piece of string, hot glue, and water. By including photographs and rubrics, this article also makes it easy to imagine how the Fin-di could be used as an initial hook, to elicit students’ prior knowledge, for just-in-time instruction, or for a variety of other functions that align with Ambitious Science Teaching. The best part? Teachers are always looking for resourceful ways to integrate technology and devices into the classroom and the Fin-di is an excellent tool for doing just that!

Fin-di Fun

Wow, after 40 years in science education, I thought I had seen everything there was to teach! But this article introduced me to a Fin-di which shows the action of forces applied to it. Gre... See More

Wow, after 40 years in science education, I thought I had seen everything there was to teach! But this article introduced me to a Fin-di which shows the action of forces applied to it. Great detailed article about force.