The Investigation

From the guide p152

• one scientific investigation taking about 10 hours and the write up should be about 6 to 12 pages long

• complex and commensurate with the level of the course

• purposeful research question and the scientific rationale for it (implies research)

• same standard as the assessment in the previous courses

From SSS material

• The report should be like a physics journal article

• IOP• The physics teacher Boomwhackers• Citations academic honesty etc.

Possible tasks include

• a hands-on laboratory investigation • using a spreadsheet for analysis and modelling• extracting data from a database and analysing

it graphically• producing a hybrid of spreadsheet/database

work with a traditional hands on investigation• using a simulation, provided it is interactive

and open-ended

Also

• Traditional hands on combined with simulation

Apparatus based

• Old equipment that hasn’t been used for years / one off apparatus (teltron tubes, ripple tank etc.)

• Particular sensors (force, pressure, intensity)• Comparison with simulation (added

dimension)

My cupboard 1

My cupboard 2

System / observation based

• Design lab type ideas (balloon, jelly, slinky etc.)

• Sports• EE type starting points

Simulation based

• Algodoo• Interactive physics• Paul falstad• Phet ?• Excel• Geogebra

Database based

• Astrophysics