Student Lab Handbook for Middle School Teachers

Reading Set I: Graph Skills

• Preparing Graphs
• Deriving Relationships from Graphs
• Common Graph Forms in Physics
• Examples of Common Graph Errors
• Interpreting Slopes, Areas, and Intercepts of Graphs
• Physical Interpetations and Graphical Analysis
• Graphing Exercises

Reading Set II: Mathematical Methods

• Working with Units
• Significant Figures
• Conversion Factors
• Scientific Notation

Reading Set III: Errors in Measurement

• Uncertainty in Measurement
• Errors, Accuracy, and Precision
• Percent Difference - Percent Error
• Absolute and Relative Error

Reading Set IV: Science Concerns

• Lab Goals (Position Statement of AAPT)
• Generic Experimental Design
• Lab Safety Procedures and Contract

Reading Set V: Language and Values of Science

• Glossary of Technical Terms and Concepts
• Scientific Values

(Last updated August 10, 2010, cjw)

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