Research Assistant Reflection: A Physics Unit Students Will Never Forget

A Physics Unit Students Will Never Forget

I’ve been curious about the field of education for years now, but only recently have I seriously begun going into it as a career. As I work towards my bachelor’s degree in physics, I chose to take up the education concentration so I can learn more about what it’s like being an educator. Going through those classes opened my eye to the wonders of teaching, so much so that I became a volunteer for Tustin High School’s student physics presentations.

Students in physics classes had spent two months learning about momentum concepts in the Fall. They learned about the forces in play and how mass and velocity affect it. But most importantly, this specific unit called for real-life examples to engage students’ interests in momentum. Students were to design a car for their loved one, keeping in mind safety features so that the vehicles can withstand car crashes.

UC Irvine researchers and high school teachers worked together during the Fall semester to design this physics unit to learn more about optimal science learning. One of the big goals here was for students to turn their science learning into meaningful connections and bring science outside the classroom. Students were also encouraged to be creative with their designs and to write a letter to a loved one who would receive this car. At the end of it all, groups of students presented their car designs in minute long presentations to physics judges.

​I came in as a judge, evaluating students on the physics and momentum knowledge they learned and demonstrated in each presentation. It was great to see the result of all these students’ hard work and effort. I listened to students excitedly pitch their car designs with safety features designed to protect their loved ones. I only learned later about how much time these students, teachers, and researchers dedicated to this momentum unit. I could tell that not only would the results of this project be beneficial to educators everywhere, but the high school students would also keep this in their hearts as a fond learning experience. Though I wish I had a chance to view the designing process, I still had an amazing experience seeing the designs and presentations these students crafted themselves.

---

Justin Amin

Undergraduate Research Assistant