Welcome to the Physics Concepts Through Plasmas Website!

Related Links:

Links:

www.plasmas.org -- general information on plasma science and technology

http://science-education.pppl.gov/

http://ippex.pppl.gov/ -- interactive Java applets of plasma physics experiments. Has “virtual lessons,” where user clicks through series of animated slides that explain specific concepts (ex. mechanics, E&M – charge, circuits, etc). Also has links to virtual tokamak, and a glossary of fusion terms. And contains some information for studying fusion & the Fusion Challenge.

http://science-education.pppl.gov/SummerInst/curriculum2.html -- link to curricula that uses plasma phsyics. Very easy to implement posted lesson plans; see Sophia Gershman's plans and Tony R.'s report

http://webphysics.davidson.edu/Applets/Applets.html -- has lots of good general applets, good resource to judge/investigate effective use of applets. Hard to find specific plasma physics example.

http://natsim.net/en.html -- “Workshop - Simulations for Physics Teaching” – looks like has many general simulations, or perhaps just links to many general simulations. Also cites searchable database of online simulations.

http://www.phy.ntnu.edu.tw/ntnujava/ -- java applets covering broad range of physics categories (ex. kinematics, E&M, optics, etc). Didn't find any specific plasma applets, though I didn't search through every category.

http://www.walter-fendt.de/ph11e/ -- another site with applets. Good explanations of concepts before each applet – this helps to pinpoint/describe the underlying physics.

Note: simulations seem particularly useful for complex demonstrations (ex. time dilation through special relativity), but for things like coupled oscillations it may be more effective to just use an in-class demonstration. Unless there is no “classroom,” I guess, as might be the case for a distance learning program.

http://fusioned.gat.com/ -- fusion education website through GA

http://fusioned.gat.com/teacher.html -- teacher resources for teaching fusion, from GA website

http://fusioned.gat.com/education_notebook/notebook.html -- useful material under the Plasma – 4 th State of Matter ” link. Downloaded the “Plasma Workbook, Experiments and Class Activities”

http://webphysics.iupui.edu/jitt/jitt.html -- “Just In Time Teaching” -- integrates web activities with in-class activities to maximize use of in-class/out-of-class time and effort. Some good examples of activities under “resources” link from main page, including “Warm-Ups” which ask students to explain concepts via web-entry and professor can review before class, “Puzzles,” “Enrichment Essays” which relate physics concepts to the real world to keep student interest fresh, and “Class News” which looks like a class newsletter.

http://www.iit.edu/~smile/physinde.html -- “SMILE program physics index”, part of the larger SMILE (Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement) program, including biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics. This particular index has lots of pre-made lesson plans, which all seem to involve demonstrations or activities by the students.

http://www.physics.rutgers.edu/hex/visit/lesson/lesson_links1.html -- index of physics lesson plans, grouped by topic and with intended range of grades next to each entry. The ones I clicked on were a bit basic, but good for identifying a template for lesson plans.

http://www.learner.org/resources/series129.html -- website talks about why learning science through inquiry is such a powerful method. Uses buzzword "Learning through Inquiry."

http://quest.nasa.gov/aero/teachers/learning.html -- NASA website with sample lesson plans

http://www.publicadministration.net/resources/public-administration-agencies-nasas-greatest-achievements/ -- List of some of NASA's achievements as part of a larger website discussing jobs in public administration (thanks to Janice!)

http://fusedweb.pppl.gov/Resources/introductory.html -- lists some easy in-class demos, including using microwaves and fluorescent light bulbs

http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/demobook/intro.htm -- part of Clint Sprott's website. GREAT list of demonstrations, with sources listed for the equipment necessary.

http://www.futurekids.com/ -- “Integrating Technology into Education”

http://www.explorelearning.com/ -- great online site with interactive tools for students to use

http://www.partselect.com/JustForFun/Electric-Math-Numbers-Behind-Appliances.aspx -- interesting collection of both explanations of terms and energy saving ideas. Lesson suggestions and teacher resources near bottom of the page