PhysicsQuest

PhysicsQuest is a story-based activity that exposes middle school students to the fun and relevance of science. APS provides a free PhysicsQuest kit to registered 6-9th grade physical science classes, home school groups, science clubs, and after-school programs. The kit includes a user's manual and materials for four physics experiments.

Spectra: Turbulent Times

Henri Villain

Finished with this year's PhysicsQuest? Want to receive a certificate for your class and the chance to win a class set of iPods? Then submit your answers here.  Only had time to do a few experiments?  No problem, even if you submit partial answers you will be in the drawing to receive iPods and other fabulous prizes.

This year's PhysicsQuest kits have been sent, and teachers across the country are helping Spectra stop H. Toueaux.  If you weren't able to receive a kit this year, you can still be part of the fun.  You can download the manual and create your own kit.  You can still submit answers, receive a certificate and be eligible for prizes.  Join our Facebook group to be part of the fun.

If you weren't able to receive a kit this year you can still be part of the fun.  Download the manual and create your own kit.  You can still submit answers, receive a certificate and be eligible for prizes.

Download the teacher's manual for Spectra 5: Turbulent Times format_pdf

Read Spectra 5: Turbulent Times online

About This Year's Kits

Follow Spectra in her next adventure. It’s wintertime, and the swim team of Tesla Junior high has gone to Pasadena, CA for their yearly winter training camp. The state championship meet is coming up, where they will face the unbeaten Edison Middle School Wizards of Menlo Park, IN. Coach Henri Toueaux will stop at nothing to secure a new trophy for his office and he doesn’t care who he leaves in his wake, including his team.  Follow Spectra and her gang as they use her laser powers and their knowledge of fluid flow to stop H. Toueaux from crossing the line from motivating coach to evil villain.

Come help Spectra and her friends stop H. Toueaux before he destroys his team and the school in his quest to win.  Students will learn about fluid motion. Why do Brazil nuts always rise to the top and the toy in the cereal box is always at the bottom?  Why does ketchup flow faster when you hit the bottle? Why are smoke rings always in a circle?  Find out the answers in this year's PhysicsQuest.  PhysicsQuest kits include everything you will need on your adventures.

Extension Activities

Want more out of PhysicsQuest? Then try some extension activities.

Download the extension activities format_pdf

View the extension activities online

Corrections

Activity 4: Do You Want Ketchup With Your Physics?

The materials list references "sand" made of small green beads.  It should actually say "small glass beads."  The small glass beads are labeled in your kit.  I'm sorry if there was any confusion.

Having trouble making a vortex cannon in activity 3?  Watch this video to see how.

Done with this year's PhysicsQuest? Answer submission will be available soon.