United States

The recent pandemic has severely restricted in-person instruction in K-16 settings. A recently developed set of tools, PhyPhox, created in Germany, allow learners to harvest data directly using their cell phone. Experiments currently under development across a number of topics from mechanics ((In)elastic collisions, acceleration, pendulum motion) to audio analysis (Doppler effect, sonar, speed of sound) and creatively utilize multiple sensors to collect raw data. This free tool is available online and works across multiple cell phone platforms and services. Physics educators in RWTH Aachen University initially developed the tool and have collaborated with physics educators in New York State to develop and validate deployment strategies, including the use of instructional scaffolding approaches, video conferencing tools (including the use of breakout rooms for lab groups) and other appropriate techniques.

AAPT SM 20

Using Cellphone Sensors for Data Collection

at-home physics

cell phone sensors

data collection

The 2020 AAPT Virtual Summer Meeting brought together physics educators from around the globe to learn about the latest in physics theory, research methodology and education from leaders in their field. The program featured plenary speakers, sessions, workshops and many special activities.

For more information please visit the 2020 AAPT Virtual Summer Meeting page at: https://www.aapt.org/Conferences/SM2020/index.cfm.


The 2020 AAPT Virtual Summer Meeting brought together physics educators from around the globe to learn about the latest in physics theory, research methodology and education from leaders in their field. 

technical paper

In a simple time of flight experiment, the speed of sound is observed to travel about 5% slower inside a corrugated irrigation pipe as compared with measurements conducted in open air. In addition to teaching students how to operate an oscilloscope to measure a known quantity, we suggest this slowing of sound might provide the sort of unanticipated finding that is a hallmark of recent, inquiry-based learning strategies, championed by Holmes and Wieman, but geared to an upper division, advanced lab audience. We propose an inquiry-based approach to this investigation wherein students must carefully evaluate the error in the measurement, concede that the finding is unexpected and apply critical thinking to decide how to resolve their observation in a second round of open-ended investigations.

Slow Sound: An advanced lab experience in critical thinking

Radiating is a Verb

At Western Washington University, labs for the calculus- and algebra-based physics courses were converted to an online format for Spring quarter 2020 in response to the COVID crisis. Two different implementation formats were used. One involved required synchronous lab sessions facilitated by a TA, a lab worksheet that served as a learning resource but was not a graded assignment, and a subsequent postlab quiz based on the lab worksheet. The other involved an optional synchronous lab session, a lab worksheet that was collected and graded as a required assignment from each student, and no postlab. In this talk, we describe these formats, report on student participation rates and engagement levels, and share student self-reports of learning value and enjoyment from identical surveys administered for each format. We find that leaving synchronous participation optional resulted in substantially lower participation rates.

Comparison of student participation and experience for two online lab formats

Case Study on the Computational Experiences of High School Physics Students

Modeling spring coupled pendula with measurements and eigenvalue analysis

Integrating the Three Dimensions of the NGSS into Rubric Design

Models of State Level 3D Science Assessment Reform

Assessing Cross-disciplinary Understanding of Energy Concepts

Infusing Your AP Physics Curriculum with Service Learning

Throughout the Little Shop of Physics’ (LSOP’s) 29 years, we’ve shared informal, hands-on science education with over 600,000 K-12 students. This success has been — and continues to be — possible thanks to over 4,000 undergraduate volunteers and interns. All the interactive experiments we take to schools across the country are built and maintained by undergraduates at Colorado State University. These same undergraduates have primary responsibility for interacting with K-12 students during LSOP school visits. Our volunteers and interns come from all majors and backgrounds; this diversity benefits the volunteer and intern cohort, the LSOP, and the K-12 students we work with. In turn, during their time at LSOP, volunteers and interns learn marketable skills, acquire conceptual physics understanding, and belong to an inclusive campus community. Undergraduate involvement is at the heart of LSOP’s ongoing cogency; it keeps the program harmonized to current needs of K-12 students.

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Slow Sound: An advanced lab experience in critical thinking

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Phone Physics: Using Cell Phone Sensors for Distance Learning Experimentation