Hi Jool,
We did a great deal of physics with our DS(now 8) starting when he was three (or even earlier), just because DH and I are both scientists. DS would listen in to our dinnertime conversations and make comments, even at a young age. I remember explaining a lunar eclipse to DS when he was nearly 3. So I think young kids are quite capable of learning the concepts. However, we did not emphasis the mathematical aspects of physics, just because the math can be challenging at this point. There may be tons of free or nearly free physics resources out there that delve into the math component... I'm just not as familiar with them. Several people here have mentioned the Bite Sized Physics on-line class, and I'm sure that they can chime in about it.
We decided to teach the conceptual or intuitive components of physics, or what in college would be called 'physics for poets'. And surprisingly enough, these are the things that most people learn wrong early in life. If you ask most people why we have seasons, they will respond that it is due to the elliptical orbit of the Earth (closer in summer and farther in winter). While the Earth's orbit is slightly elliptical, the main reason for the seasons is due instead to the tilt of the Earth on its axis. (tilting towards the sun in summer and away from the sun in winter). There are many instance where commonly held views about how the world works are not true. And once those ideas have been learned, it is very hard for physics teachers later on to correct them.
So you might find that you can teach a great deal of physics without any math, such as how do you feel the acceleration when you are in an elevator (when it goes up vs when it does down), or what would happen to a ball if you threw it up while riding in an elevator? Even such simple concepts as the difference between velocity and acceleration cause most students problems. Think of the classic example of a bunch of helium-filled balloons in a car... what happens to the balloons when you slam on the brakes for a red light? And then you can also get more esoteric by explaining atoms and the periodic table of elements based on your basic lego bricks.
I guess I'm saying that the world is filled with physics examples that we see every day and never think about: rainbows, why the sky is blue, why does the pitch on the siren on an ambulance change as it goes past you, how do eyeglasses work, why does your tv remote work, why do we pour salt on the roads in winter, why when we drop two balls of different masses do they fall at the same rate, why do things float in the bathtub? All of that is physics. If you just explain the world that surrounds your child to them, then you will be surprised at how much physics they will know.
I propose that if they make our kids suffer through everyday math, there should be a corresponding amount of time in school devoted to "everyday science"!! My DS would have loved that in those early years of elementary school!
And I know that you are looking for a way to apply math to science, in order to supplement the math curriculum. I will have to ask DH about this when he gets home. I'll report back. (or others may answer in the meantime!)
Last edited by ebeth; 11/11/08 11:39 AM.
