This three-day lab unit will have students work collaboratively in teams to study free fall using video cameras, image analysis software, and Excel. In the kick-off lab, students will capture video of objects in free fall and then analyze the video frame by frame in Excel to calculate position, velocity, and acceleration over time. They will conclude by presenting their findings and discussing real-world applications of Newton's Second Law. The goal is for students to construct an understanding of gravity and motion through hands-on experimentation and technology.

1. This study will help students understand the world
around them and how gravity influences our daily

2. OUR UNIT GOAL: CONSTRUCT KNOWLEDGE TO NEWTON’S
2ND LAW THROUGH AN INTERACTIVE STUDY OF FREE FALL
Unit Components:
• Kick-off Lab: We will prove Newton’s 2nd Law with
Video Cameras and Computer Analysis
• We will end the unit with our own “Egg Drop Contest”
• Students will share with classmates some ideas on how
to apply their knowledge to solving a real world problem

3. SIMULATION OF OUR STUDY

4. OUR LAB GOAL: STUDY FREE FALL WITH USE OF ADVANCED
TECHNOLOGY TO CAPTURE AND ANALYZE DATA
Pre-Lab: Set the stage to engage students,
introduce the lab, discuss objectives and
expectations
Phase 1 – Data Capture - Groups will use Video
Cameras to capture Free Fall
Phase 2 – Video will be studied to collect positions
measurements vs time
Phase 3 – Data analysis using Excel
Phase 4 – Students will share their findings

5. OUR LAB: MODELED FROM OTHERS…
Authentic
Data
Calculated and Graphed using an Excel Spreadsheet
Data in Excel
Spreadsheet Abisdris, G., & Phaeuf, A. (2009). Using a Digital Video Camera to Study Motion. The Science Teacher, 44-
47.00

6. SCIENCE TEAMS WILL WORK TOGETHER
Assignme Table 1 Table 2 Table 3 Table 4 Table 5 Table 6
nts
Coordinator: Carla Karen Maria Keesha Gina Jaime
Keeps the group on
task and working
productively
Manager: Gathers Donna Mike Frank James Jose Jamal
and returns
equipment and
materials
Investigator(s): Bill Lucy Connor Bobbi Tyrone Blake
Helps conduct the
investigation
Recorder: Records Jane Rich Teresa Ella Mimi Taylor
data and keeps
notes on the
investigation
Reporter: John Bethany Samir Kyle Bruce Ashley
Organizes and
reports the
findings

7. THIS IS A THREE DAY LAB
Time Video On Deck Spreadsheet Prep Data Capture/Analysis
Report Out
:10 Table 6 Table 3 1,2,4,5 Day 1/2 Day 3
:20 Table 1 Table 4 6,3
:30 Table 2 Table 5
:40 De-brief/Clean Up
DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3

8. CONCLUSIONS
Position (m) Time (s) (elapsed Time (s) Time (s) • Students will use many
(measured from video Velocity (elapsed from Acceleration (elapsed from
Video Frame from frame) frame) (m/s) video frame) (m/s2) video frame)
technology touch points to
1 2 0 calculated 0 calculated 0 study free fall (cameras,
2 image software, Excel and
3
4 Powerpoint)
5
6
7
• Collaboration will be
8 stressed to simulate real
9
10
world environments
11
12
• Students will defend their
13
14 conclusions and
15 observations
16
17
18
19
20 0