PhysicsQuest

Explore the science behind our changing climate through four hands-on activities designed to bring big ideas down to earth. Students step into the shoes of scientist Eunice Foote to recreate her groundbreaking 1856 experiment on carbon dioxide and light, build on that discovery by investigating how solar energy becomes heat, how atmospheric layers trap warmth like a planetary blanket, and how crushed volcanic rock can pull carbon dioxide out of the air and lock it away in stone. Using materials and tools available in our kit, each activity turns abstract climate concepts into visible, measurable evidence. Every lesson is paired with a Critical Conversations Guide, giving teachers discussion tips and thoughtful questions to help students connect the science back to human choices, values, and the broader societal impact of climate change.

This kit was created in partnership with the APS Division of Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics (DAMOP) and the Division of Quantum Information (DQI). These lessons explore the strange and exciting world of quantum physics and the behavior of matter and energy at the smallest scales. Students engage in hands-on activities that reveal how atoms form matter, how light interacts with nanomaterials, and how photons help us understand energy and color. Through games and models, they investigate the quantum principles of superposition, entanglement, and teleportation, then apply this understanding to learn the basics of quantum computing. Together, these experiences introduce students to the “future state” of physics - quantum science.

This kit was created in partnership with the American Physical Society’s (APS) Division of Plasma Physics (DPP). These lessons show us where we find plasma - the fourth state of matter - in our universe and all around us. The kits introduce students to plasma, its properties, how stars are formed, and how stars can "be bottled" to create clean energy used here on Earth. Together, students will learn about this mysterious matter - plasma.

In collaboration with Little Shop of Physics, APS offers four engaging activities centered around the fascinating world of "waves." Waves are all around us, shaping our world and providing energy, such as the sun's electromagnetic waves. Understanding these waves unlocks the secrets of our universe. These Making Waves activities are perfect for your physics curriculum, serving as captivating prelude activities or post-learning explorations

Encourage middle school students to explore physics through the PhysicsQuest! In 2022, APS and STEP UP collaborated to present a PhysicsQuest curriculum exploring amazing discoveries and stellar accomplishments of diverse physicists. These PhysicsQuest 2022: Physics Together science activities introduce students to who does physics and what physicists do, with a special focus on Careers in Physics and Women in Physics.