Active Learning Activities

Group Work Project Contracting

For instructors planning student group work projects over many weeks or months.

Put Your Theory on Trial

Scaffolded debate that explores the nuances of a belief that the teacher has introduced.

Running on Water: Activating Prior Knowledge of Static Equilibrium

Students watch, discuss, then analyze the veracity of a video in which hydrophobic shoes allow people to run on water.

Crossing Dimensions: A Math Odyssey into Cross Products

In groups, students learn about orthogonality and cross products by creating geometrical shapes.

Decoding Decimal, Binary & Octal: Number System Adventures

In teams, students explore the binary number system and create parameters for an octal number system.

Nature of Science Ice-Breaker

A first class ice-breaker activity introducing the nature of science.

Card Sorting Activities for Mechanics

Can I Use the Internet?

An Abundance of Bells

Categorizing for Review

Forget the Math! Draw pictures to learn the wave theory of light

Kinematics Concept Mapping

Mass of A Car

Circus Launch Clicker Questions

Forces Scavenger Hunt

Lenz’s Law

Momentum Photoproject

Home Wiring

Problem Sorting

Photo Concept Maps: Parts 1, 2 & 3