iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Emma Mitchell @emmaphys.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

I really like the edit of drawing pictures rather than writing descriptions. I think I’ll snag that idea!

Emma Mitchell @emmaphys.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

I live under a rock and just saw the announcement that Trinket is shutting down in August. Anyone know of a work-around, or is something in the works, for student-friendly access to VPython/Glowscript? Hoping @wbrianlane.bsky.social or @rhettallain.bsky.social might know of something? #iteachphysics

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Jeremy Secaur @secaurphysics.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

Hey there physics 🎢🍎 teacher friends! If you teach AP physics 2 or C E&M or have an Electricity & Magnetism component to your intro class, and want some well-tested strategies & moves for teaching E&M, Kris Newton and I are running a weekly online #modphys E&M class for teachers

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Michael Lerner @lernerphysics.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

I am doing a #teach180 blog now, in concert with @barnettdreyfuss.bsky.social. Days -4 & -3 are about our professional days. lerner180.posthaven.com/day-4-convoc... and lerner180.posthaven.com/day-3-profes.... Shout out to @afreeparticle.com for the link hub template.

lerner180.posthaven.com

Day -3: Professional Development

Today was some professional development. We had some good PD led by Facing History and Ourselves. In the afternoon, we had a staff meeting, where a link hub I maintain that I fully stole from...

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Bree Barnett Dreyfuss @barnettdreyfuss.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

@lernerphysics.bsky.social reminded me how great daily reflection can be for teaching when he facilitated the Q&A after my award. I hope to move to a blog format but #Teach180 posts here will do for a start! 🧪🎢

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Emma Mitchell @emmaphys.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

Our students are *awesome*, our faculty is friendly and collaborative, and our school is a warm and tight-knit community. Please pass on to anyone who might be interested! #eduSky #teacher

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Emma Mitchell @emmaphys.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

Teachers have a lot of autonomy at my school and we have flexibility in teaching project-based, phenomenon-based, Modeling-based, incorporating engineering, etc. There is also flexibility in teaching both Middle School and Upper School Science, depending on your interests.

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Emma Mitchell @emmaphys.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

My school is looking for a Middle School Science/STEAM teacher for this coming Fall! We are a small, independent, all-girls boarding/day school (grades 6-12) in Simsbury, CT. We have faculty housing available. I am the Dept. Chair; reach out if interested! www.ethelwalker.org/about/career...

ethelwalker.org

Middle School Science/STEAM Faculty - The Ethel Walker School

Middle School Science/STEAM Faculty Status: Full-Time, ExemptReports To: Assistant Head for Faculty and Academic Affairs and Department ChairStart Date: August 2025 The Ethel Walker Middle School seek...

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Emma Mitchell @emmaphys.bsky.social · 07/01/2025

I do an activity where I put this whole thing on a scale, then have students draw force diagrams and predict whether the scale reading will change when the floating globe is removed.

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Dan Hosey @danhosey.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

I forgot I previously made this SHM @desmos.com comparing UCM, pendulum, and mass on a spring side by side until I was getting ready for class this evening. #iTeachPhysics www.desmos.com/calculator/e...

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Melissa Girmscheid @mrsgphysics.bsky.social · 28/12/2024

Join Jess Dykes and me this January for a course on integrating physics Modeling and computational thinking. #modphys #iteachphysics #cmpfb

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Nick Watkins @pnwphysics.bsky.social · 19/12/2024

Built on a fluids unit I made during a modeling workshop with @secaurphysics.bsky.social and @emmaphys.bsky.social phenomena->paradigm lab->model->test model->break model #iteachphysics 🎢 #ModPhys

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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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Emma Mitchell @emmaphys.bsky.social · 15/12/2024

Pinning this to remind myself to do it with my class! 📌

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Ben Wildeboer @willyb.bsky.social · 14/12/2024

Finding saved twitter links and crossing fingers the link works until I can save the info. #iTeachPhysics Today, @danhosey.bsky.social's lab to find µ from v & Δx:

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Emma Mitchell @emmaphys.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

I know, I’m loving being able to use force as an independent variable in the N2L lab so easily!

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Emma Mitchell @emmaphys.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

I love the ability of the Vernier fan cart brackets to hold multiple fans. Such a game-changer!

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Kelly O'Shea @kellyoshea.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

Unbalanced Forces problem solving stations this week in 10th grade Physics. A favorite day every year! #iteachphysics #modphys #scichat

Instructions written on the whiteboard. 0) Identify the system. 1) Draw & annotate relevant physics diagrams: FBD & VAD, v-t graph. 2) Make indicated measurements. 3) Add measured values to your diagrams. 4) Use annotated diagrams to solve. 5) Use instructions to check your solution. --> Troubleshoot as needed. 6) High five! (optional)

A station with a triple-fan cart, track, and instructions.

A station with a ramp, cart, spring scale, motion detector, and instructions.

A station with two instruction cards and a force sensor.

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kruidenier physics @kruidenier.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

Final unbalanced force lab for my honors physics class- 1) derive an expression for the kinetic friction coefficient of socks on tile using only times and distances. 2) Take data and numerically solve. Required whimsy makes this a favorite activity! Mass independence always stuns. #iTeachPhysics 🎢

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Emma Mitchell @emmaphys.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

My 9th graders find them extremely fun. But they’re basically big middle schoolers who find pretty much everything extremely fun. Except for things that are extremely not fun.

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Emma Mitchell @emmaphys.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

Probably a difference between 9th and 11th grade! We focus on motion maps much less in my 11th/12th-grade class. Students are much more comfortable with graphs by then.

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Emma Mitchell @emmaphys.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

🤣 It’s a great transition sequence!

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Emma Mitchell @emmaphys.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

100%. And motion maps really help them to understand graphs better, the way we use them to physically build a graph for the first time. Saw that for the first time in the #ModPhys CMPF-B workshop with the great @mrsgphysics.bsky.social! Works so well for 9th graders.

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Emma Mitchell @emmaphys.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

of the ball’s motion on the ramp. From those motion maps, they made a P-t graph. And then they placed a mini-photogate at each motion map dot, in turn, to collect data for a V-t graph. So motion maps are our touchpoint. For my higher-level classes (>9th), they can use graphs right away. (3/3)

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Emma Mitchell @emmaphys.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

Later, we make motion maps out of Play Doh dots and a whiteboarded position axis, and then shift them over onto a perpendicular time axis to make our first P-t graphs. Yesterday, we did our paradigm lab on acceleration, and the very first thing they suggested we do is collect a motion map (2/3)

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Emma Mitchell @emmaphys.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

Motion maps for me are higher, but that’s specifically for my 9th-grade physics classes and not my higher-level classes. In 9th grade, that’s our foundational diagram for our model of motion. We use motion maps (not P-t graphs … yet) to represent our constant-velocity buggy data. (1/3)

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Simon Poliakoff @simonpoliakoff.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

Not sure how I missed knowing this for so long! If you want to link to just one part of a phet simulation then add ?screens=1 or ?screens=2 or ?screens=2,3 to the end of the URL e.g. phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/en... Keep students on task more easily #ITeachPhysics #SciTeachUK

phet.colorado.edu

‪Energy Skate Park‬

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Emma Mitchell @emmaphys.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

See, if they had just included units in their thinking, this whole tragedy could have been avoided.

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Michael Freeman @afreeparticle.com · 02/12/2024

🎢 Brilliant demonstration from @cossettej.bsky.social of the relationship between normal force and friction force on a car.

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Emma Mitchell @emmaphys.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

bit.ly

Event : Introduction to Modeling Methods Sneak Peek - Powered by eWebLife.com

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Emma Mitchell @emmaphys.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

Want a Sneak Peak? Join us for an hour-long webinar on Tuesday, Dec. 10 to get a (fun!) preview of the course.

Sneak Peak
Introduction to Modeling Workshop
With Emma Mitchell and Elizabeth Burns
December 10, 2024
7:00 pm Easrern
Register at bit.ly/Intro-SP

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Emma Mitchell @emmaphys.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

Join @eburns2.bsky.social and me this January to learn about how Modeling Instruction can transform your science teaching! We will see Modeling in action, discuss science pedagogy, and join a community of educators who love talking about student-centered learning🎢 🧪🧬🍎

Introduction to Modeling Methods
Jan 5 - Mar 9
Sunday evenings 4:00 - 7:00 PM EST
Register today at bit.ly/IntroModSpring25

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Emma Mitchell @emmaphys.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

But this method leaves more space for writing their names in fancy lettering and drawing doodles of random animals.

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Emma Mitchell @emmaphys.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

Why have I never thought to do this?

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Emma Mitchell @emmaphys.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

Ahhh I have missed these! Maybe I should finally join! But I need to up my nerdy shirt game.

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Emma Mitchell @emmaphys.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

Ah gotcha - mine’s a bit different. They check their answers by listing up the index card and taking the actual measurement from the hidden spring scale (or mass or scale). And it’s not graded — this activity is how they first figure out to solve problems with forces, so it’s just for learning.

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Emma Mitchell @emmaphys.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

Jk they hated it, but their prediction was spot-on. Only after they solved it, I showed them how to tilt the coordinate system and they were immediately convinced that this is The Way.

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Emma Mitchell @emmaphys.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

And finally, I did this one with my 11th/12th graders today. They measured the ramp angle & mass, and predicted the reading on the cart’s internal force sensor. This was their very first ramp problem, so of course none of them tilted their coordinate system and they had some Fun With Trig.

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Emma Mitchell @emmaphys.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

And a few more. These are for my 9th graders, still on Day 1 of force problem-solving. Spending plenty of time on FBDs and vector addition diagrams in previous classes meant that they could figure out how to solve these problems themselves.

Mass hangs on spring scale, but is partially supported by a scale below.

A mass hangs from a spring scale that hangs from a mass that hangs from a spring scale.

A cart is attached to two masses that hang from pulleys over the edge of a table.

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Michael Freeman @afreeparticle.com · 20/11/2024

Social Emotional Check-in as we start orbits in AP Physics 1 tomorrow: Which 3 body orbit are you? Source: www.youtube.com/shorts/6EvaV... 🎢🍎

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Emma Mitchell @emmaphys.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

Takes a while to set up but every year I’m re-convinced that it’s well worth it!

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Emma Mitchell @emmaphys.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

And here is another example! This one is for older students who can do trig. The mass is known, and students can use a protractor to measure the angle. Predict the readings on the two spring scales.

A mass is suspended from one angled string and one horizontal spring using magnets on a whiteboard. Spring scales are tied to the strings.

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Emma Mitchell @emmaphys.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

I set them up. It takes a little while, but I don’t do it all at once. You could have students design and set them up, too, but that would need to come later in the unit for me. This is my 9th graders’ first time solving problems w/ balanced forces, so a design problem would be too bit a bite.

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