Physical Science
The Amplify Science physical science units progressively build students’ abilities to master content through a three-dimensional instructional sequence. The following is an overview of the physical science units, including a description of the phenomenon and student role students take on in each one.
Available physical science units
- Harnessing Human Energy
- Force and Motion
- Force and Motion Engineering Internship
- Magnetic Fields
- Thermal Energy
- Phase Change
- Phase Change Engineering Internship
- Chemical Reactions
- Light Waves
Harnessing Human Energy
Rescue workers can use their own human kinetic energy to power the electrical devices they use during rescue missions.
In their role as energy scientists, students learn about energy transfer and conversion as they design a system to power the electronic devices of rescue workers.
Force and Motion
The asteroid sample-collecting pod failed to dock at the space station as planned.
As student physicists at the fictional Universal Space Agency, students must analyze what went wrong in a space station docking failure. To do so, they need to apply what they learn about forces, changes in motion, and collisions.
Force and Motion Engineering Internship
Designing emergency supply delivery pods with different structures can maintain the integrity of the supply pods and their contents.
As mechanical engineering interns, students apply ideas about force and motion, as well as engineering and design concepts, to design supply pods to be dropped in disaster areas.
Magnetic Fields
During a test launch, a spacecraft traveled much faster than expected.
In their role as student physicists, students must analyze why the new magnet-driven space jet launcher is not working as expected. They apply ideas about non-touching forces and potential energy.
Thermal Energy
One of two proposed heating systems for Riverdale School will best heat the school.
In their role as thermal scientists, students evaluate competing proposals for heating a school, applying what they learn about matter, energy, and temperature.
Phase Change
A methane lake on Titan no longer appears in images taken by a space probe two years apart.
Students, in their role as student chemists, investigate the mystery of disappearing methane lakes on Saturn's moon, Titan. They must apply what they learn about phase change, matter, and energy.
Phase Change Engineering Internship
Designing portable baby incubators with different combinations of phase change materials can keep babies at a healthy temperature.
As chemical engineering interns, students design and test plans for an incubator for premature and low birth weight babies, applying ideas about phase change and the engineering and design process.
Chemical Reactions
A mysterious reddish-brown substance has been detected in the tap water of Westfield.
Students play the role of student chemists, applying what they learn about matter and chemical reactions to solve the mystery of mysterious substances appearing in a county’s water supply.
Light Waves
The rate of skin cancer is higher in Australia than in other parts of the world.
In their role as spectroscopists, students learn about light waves and how they interact with matter, and apply this knowledge to investigate Australia’s elevated skin cancer rate.