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Joe Cossette

@cossettej.bsky.social
660 followers 227 following 1.1K posts

High School Physics Teacher • #iteachphysics • Bow Tie Enthusiast • he/him passionatelycurioussci.weebly.com

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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Just found out that the new budget electronic balances that we got can measure up to 5 kg and display in newtons!! Makes for some significantly simpler force stations than I had been doing :) #ITeachPhysics Amazon Link: amzn.to/4xL3t8y
Mystery mass supported by a spring scale and a balance displaying NEWTONS!!
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
I introduced buoyant force today with a student paced lab walking through the PHET buoyancy simulation. I think it does a nice job of allowing students to "discover" what buoyant force is 😀 Files posted here for anyone that is interested www.passionatelycurious.info/blog/phet-bu...
passionatelycurious.info
PHET Buoyancy Lab
"Students use a PHET simulation to explore buoyancy hands-on — calculating buoyant force, building force diagrams, and discovering why objects float or sink. Free downloadable lab, written for IB Phys...
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
I'm super excited to share that I have finally assembled my online resources for the new IB Physics SL curriculum! passionatelycurioussci.weebly.com/ib-physics.h... #ITeachPhysics
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
Arbor Scientific gave me an opportunity to share my favorite ways to use our new BeeSpi self contained photogates! Check out the official blog post for all of the details 😀
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
I designed a little 3D printed laser mount for a diffraction lab to determine the thickness of a hair. I underestimated how much cooler it is for students to use physics to calculate a value that they have personal connection to. 😀 Files on the Blog passionatelycurioussci.weebly.com/blog/by-a-ha...
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
For a little remix of @afreeparticle.com's "Rings of Fire", I 3D printed some magnetic hoops that students could stick to the lockers at any height and distance. For some classes, I gave groups a target time and some I gave a target horizontal distance.
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Nick Watkins @pnwphysics.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
Day 38 Physics & Physical Sci - Did @cossettej.bsky.social newton block lab. Lots of setup so did it with both classes. My old set of blocks were beat up and missing pieces so adapted my set of a million go cars to do the same thing. Great lab to do each year! #iteachphysics #teach180
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 05/10/2025
To make topographic mapping a little more hands-on in our Earth Science classes, we updated the classic shoebox and dowel approach with some 3D Printed mystery landforms. 😏 Activity and materials posted for free here: passionatelycurioussci.weebly.com/blog/topogra...
passionatelycurioussci.weebly.com
Topographic Mystery Lab
Topographic mystery activity for students to map elevation of an unknown landform and match it to a virtual model by creating a topographic contour map
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
This is such an awesome visualization of a black body graph. I can't wait to use this with students!! #iteachphysics
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
We explored continental drift in my Earth Science with this 3D printed version of the Plate Tectonic Puzzle by the American Museum of Natural History (@amnh.org) www.amnh.org/content/down... 3D Model: makerworld.com/en/models/14...
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
New blog post!! I wanted to share the mini lab set up that I used to introduce mathematical models in my physics classes. I'm especially proud of the inverse square relationship comparing the diameter and length of a playdough snake 😊 #iteachphysics passionatelycurioussci.weebly.com/blog/pattern...
passionatelycurioussci.weebly.com
Patterns in Physics
Inspired by the work of the Patterns Approach to Physics , I wanted to start my IB Physics classes with a short exposure to different types of mathematical models that they will see. Due to time...
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Chris Sarkonak @csarkonak.bsky.social · 07/09/2025
Day 1 cont: 12 Ss started with @cossettej.bsky.social's passionatelycurioussci.weebly.com/blog/game-of.... This is a great way to kick-start the 12s and we talked about the challenges of figuring out the rules of the game from within the game #teach180 🎢
passionatelycurioussci.weebly.com
The Game of Science
Students must complete this first week science task to determine the rules to a board game just by observing how it is played
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
I'm convinced that playing with dry ice is the most engaging introduction to constant velocity that I've ever tried. I'm looking forward to continually referencing this shared experience when we get to Newton's Laws 😃 #iteachphysics
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
I finally got around to making a new visual for precision and accuracy that doesn't use a target!! I'm looking forward to introducing these concepts alongside uncertainty in a way that is a little more authentic to scientific measurements 🧪 #iteachphysics
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 04/05/2025
New doppler effect phenomenon just dropped! 😅 #ITeachPhysics 🎢
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Greg Schwanbeck @gregschwanbeck.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
I finally made that punk rock song about finding the north star and reckoning latitude that you always wanted! I hope it's the best #video in the "punk rock musical #astronomy education" category that you see today. www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC0E... #space #iteachphysics #science #STEM #edusky
youtube.com
Learn to find the NORTH STAR (Polaris) & also North/South/East/West & even LATITUDE (via punk rock!)
YouTube video by Schwanbeck Physics
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Pete Golton @petergolton.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
One of the best online collaborative activities I've done, teaching electricity. For 45 minutes, the entire classroom was engaged, sharing ideas, teaching each other, reinforcing work from previous lessons. Great stuff @cossettej.bsky.social #iteachphysics tinyurl.com/bdzmn4h9
passionatelycurioussci.weebly.com
Circuit Virtual Escape Room
Virtual Escape Room on the topics of circuits, electricity, voltage, resistance, current, ohm's law, and resistivity
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 23/01/2025
I've been wanting to make a self-paced ionic bonding investigation for a while now and it's finally ready to share!! passionatelycurioussci.weebly.com/blog/ionic-b... Using puzzle pieces, students work through a series of challenges to introduce the basics of ionic bonding. 🧩
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
I'm excited about this new activity that we made for our earth science classes -- "Finding a Habitable Exoplanet" Students receive data about 6 stars and their exoplanets to determine which candidates fall into the habitable zone. passionatelycurioussci.weebly.com/blog/finding... #iteachphysics 🎢
passionatelycurioussci.weebly.com
Finding a Habitable Exoplanet
In this activity, students are provided with data about 10 different exoplanets and their host stars to investigate and determine the best candidate for supporting life outside of Earth
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 07/01/2025
"Flicking electrons" at a Van de Graaff generator wearing a rabbit for toupée ⚡ #iteachphysics 🎢
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 01/01/2025
Maker World is currently running a 3D printing contest with the theme of "Physics Education"!!! makerworld.com/en/contests/... I just updated and entered three of my recent physics designs but I'm equally excited to check out the other things that get posted 😀 #iteachphysics 🎢
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 23/12/2024
At the end of each year, our family writes and records a "Year in Review" music video. 2024 was good to the Cossette Family and we wish you all the best during this holiday season and the new year! youtu.be/ZAYWnEJHAjY?...
youtu.be
2024 - The Cossette's Year in Review
YouTube video by Passionately Curious
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phizzet.bsky.social @phizzet.bsky.social · 20/12/2024
Winter break circuit cards with EM thanks for the blog post @cossettej.bsky.social #iteachphysics
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 14/12/2024
Sometimes you make something just to prove that you can. Behold, a 3D printed physical model of double slit wave interactions! 😅 #iteachphysics 🎢
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
New relative motion example just dropped! #iteachphysics 🎢 Source: www.tiktok.com/t/ZTYumthgG/
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
I modified a @joemilliano.bsky.social and @afreeparticle.com Desmos interactive to make my own exoplanet transit graphs. I'm definitely in over my head on this one and there are some pretty inelegant work arounds but it gave me the example graphs I needed 😅 www.desmos.com/calculator/r...
desmos.com
Transit Data
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
A 3D Printed resonator design for students to investigate natural frequency and resonance in a hands-on way. Files posted here (scroll to the bottom) passionatelycurioussci.weebly.com/store/p9/resonator.html #iteachphysics 🎢
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
Using a 12" embroidery hoop and some spandex, our 5 classrooms of earth science students got to investigate orbits with a small scale gravity well. We made 30 of these set ups for $130 total so that each lab group had their own to play with. I've got more plans for these later in physics too 😏
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
The best classroom timer of all time is the cheapest that I've ever seen it! 🥳 (amzn.to/3Z0847p) Now I just have to convince myself that I already have plenty and probably don't need a 4th one...
Amazon screenshot of the best classroom timer in the world
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
I'm really excited about the problem that I used for our cumulative review of mechanics. In 15 parts, students had to do a little bit of everything that we've been working on so far this year 😏 #iteachphysics 🎢 Lesson Details: passionatelycurioussci.weebly.com/blog/mechani...
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
I was able import all of my old posts from the other place so my bluesky timeline looks like I've been here the whole time!! 😏 The number of times I search through my own profile to remember things that I did a previous year is substantial and I'm grateful that I can do this without going back!
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Bree Barnett Dreyfuss @barnettdreyfuss.bsky.social · 17/11/2024
A problem about the normal Force varying between a stack of objects led to a quick demo. Love these little scales, high capacity and thin. 🎢
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
I upgraded my tangential velocity target practice equipment to a new 3D printed design this year just because I needed a fun project 😏 #iteachphysics
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
I can't express how much I have missed my online #iteachphysics community. This regathering feels like a joyous reunion and I can't wait to start sharing things again! 😊
media.tenor.com
a man says it 's finally happening while standing outside
Alt: a man says it 's finally happening while standing outside
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 15/07/2024
It was a pretty special opportunity to speak at #AAPTSM23 but even more amazing to meet so many physics teachers that I've admired for years and see them go all in on an interactive crime scene session that I definitely didn't plan enough time for 😅
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 24/04/2024
Increasing the mass of steel wool by expediting the oxidation process with a 9V battery. Mesmerizing 😍
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 22/04/2024
I made a custom "Connections" game to help students familiarize themselves with common synonyms like slope and gradient ahead of this week's IB Physics exam. I figured since they are playing this game during my class anyway... 😎 Try it out here!! connections.swellgarfo.com/game/-Nw4x2N...
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 16/04/2024
Using the Energy Scramble activity to review the equations as part of our IB exam prep. All answers are either in Joules or Jewels 😏 passionatelycurioussci.weebly.com/b…
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 08/04/2024
Preparing for today's eclipse by modeling the cloud forecast in waffle form... and stress eating... 😬 Clear skies to all umbraphiles out there!! We're heading toward the blueberry now
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 04/04/2024
I needed a project for my spring break so I upgraded the ionic bonding puzzle with an option to make it magnetic! 🧲 3D files are posted for free with the option to purchase preassembled kits here: passionatelycurioussci.weebly.com/s…
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 18/03/2024
I designed an ionic bonding manipulatives kit to make on my new 3D printer as an upgrade for our ionic puzzle cutouts. I'm pretty excited about the piece and tray design. Now I just need to put together an activity for students to do with it! 😏
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 11/03/2024
Repurposing a COVID-era infrared thermometer to introduce emissivity and albedo. ⚫⚪🔦 While many students "know" that black construction paper will get hotter than white construction paper under a heat lamp, it's nice to be able to quantify this difference 😀
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 06/03/2024
I loved watching groups discuss their way through this introduction to energy production today. Lots of thoughtful conversations driven by their previous experiences and awareness. #iteachphysics
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 26/02/2024
This one is a little more niche, but my IB Physics students needed more practice calculating binding energy per nucleon. To help with this practice, I made a self-checking google sheet that graphs the data in real time. Details on the blog!!...
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 16/02/2024
I started writing "design problems" during COVID to make problems less "googleable". They force students to work backward and emphasize deeper thinking and relationships between variables. Now I have finally built a place to share these on the website!!
passionatelycurioussci.weebly.com
Physics Design Problems
Backwards physics problems where the scenario must be defined to reach a desired solution.
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 15/02/2024
I started writing "design problems" during COVID to make problems less "googleable". They force students to work backward and emphasize deeper thinking and relationships between variables. Now I have finally built a place to share these on the...
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 29/01/2024
New Blog Post on Group Assessments!! 😀 passionatelycurioussci.weebly.com/b… For the second year in a row, my student's semester final was completed in collaborative groups of five. I really like the structure as a vehicle to make the assessment more...
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 22/01/2024
We were playing around with our "Jumping Ring" apparatus connected to AC and I noticed that if you hold the ring heats up if you hold it in place! Basically an induction stove with a different form factor 😏 Also, the IR video was giving some strong LoTR vibes 🧙‍♂️ #iteachphysics
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 19/01/2024
A week of exploring the magic of magnets 🧙‍♂️🧲 #iteachphysics
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Joe Cossette @cossettej.bsky.social · 18/01/2024
This magnetohydrodynamic drive is such a great way to make the right hand rule visible😏
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