Learn about the STEM Teacher Leader Network
Join the STEM Teacher Leader Network
Join the STEM Teacher Leader Network
At-home teaching and learning uses more than just sensors! On April 13th, the STEM Teacher Leader Network presented a panel of educators, including Channa Comer, Nicole Murawski, and Lynn Jorgensen, and facilitated by Rebecca Vieyra. Teachers talked about their response to teaching STEM at home, discussing the power of interactive demonstrations, modifications for low-cost and no-cost labs (including using smartphone sensors), and how to engage students in citizen science in the long-term. Read the intro blog, watch the recording, join the online discussion, and see a list of resources. While you are at it, register with the STEM Teacher Leader Network to connect with fellow educators (including this new physics group!).
Educational Applications
Lockdown Challenge: Breath of Fresh Air
This blog and accompanying video shows how to use phyphox and Physics Toolbox apps to monitor breathing. Two approaches are used, one which uses a cardboard tube and microphone with the sound meter, and another which uses chest movement and an accelerometer.
Can Smartphones Detect Geomagnetic Storms? (Yes!)
A researcher and educator at NASA Goddard carried out a test to determine the utility of smartphones to measure magnetic field fluctuations caused by the sun. See raw data here. (Cookies must be enabled in browser for the following link to work).
Review of Mobile Applications and Wireless Technologies in Sustaining K-12 Schools during COVID-19
This broad article looks at trends in mobile downloads through the pandemic and into the future, and makes note of the potential for sensors in learning.
Teaching Melde's Law with Smartphones
This Indonesian-language paper demonstrates how Physics Toolbox can be used to carry out an investigation of the mass per unit length of a vibrating string.
Measuring Acceleration Due to Gravity in Multiple Ways
This article demonstrates how to use changes in light intensity to determine acceleration due to gravity, one of many ways we have seen published.
Centripetal Acceleration Studies with a Bike Wheel, Drill,
and a Smartphone
In the News
Finding the Bats in Los Angeles
Connecting biology with physics, this blog illustrates how to use Physics Toolbox to listen for the sounds of California's bats.
Development of Nationwide Road Quality Map: Remote Sensing Meets Field Sensing
Physics Toolbox was used to measure road quality across East Azerbaijan, with the hopes that future mapping tools will share road quality information in addition to traffic.
Human Signature Identification Using IoT Technology and Gait Recognition
Smartphones can be used to determine posture and gait issues, and have the potential to help re-train individuals to walk.
Quantifying the Mechanics of Deadlifts in Weight Training
This Russian-language article explores movement during training to provide better indicators to competitive weighlifters.
Have Physics Toolbox Apps been useful to you? We'd love to get your feedback on this quick 5-minute survey.
Have a great story to share about how you are using Physics Toolbox Apps? We'd love to feature you and your ideas in our newsletter or on our website! Drop us a message at any time to share your story.
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