AP Physics 1 Final Project
Mr. Kuffer
Final Projects – You and your partner(s) are to come up with a project that is physics related. You will be using the next 3 weeks to research, design and develop a presentation on your project.
Your task is to produce clear and convincing evidence of the knowledge you gained during your time in AP Physics 1. You will present this evidence on the days preceding the final exams, via some sort of multimedia/demonstration, a lasting record of which (video, paper, etc.) you will submit on the day of your presentation.
You and your classmates have a number of options, any of which need to have approval from me BEFORE you begin:
· Create a novel apparatus (physical ‘build’) to perform some function (simple or sophisticated) after carrying out careful planning and calculations that prove that your device will complete the task for which it was designed. You MUST incorporate and explain the concepts and mathematical skills from the AP Physics 1 curriculum or beyond (Conservation Laws, Rotational Dynamics, Waves, Electrostatics, etc.). A simple demonstration of v = d/t will not suffice.
· Each apparatus should be accompanied by an entertaining and informative presentation and/or demonstration. Each presentation should be in multimedia format for future course applications (posted on blackboard as a tutorial, supplemental, etc.).
· Alternative proposals will be considered as per student request. Approved alternative projects that have been approved in the past include; Physics and Art, Sports Science, Physics and Music, among others. Each proposal will be considered on an individual basis. Not all alternative proposals will be accepted.
Your idea (proposal) must be submitted by Monday May 8th.
You may have more than two members per group but more will be expected of the project and presentation and thus will be graded on a different scale than 2 or 1 member groups.
Updating- It is expected that you and your team give me an update on where you are with your project daily in your JOURNAL.
May 25th – May 31st – Projects will be presented in class. Presentation order TBD.
Final Exams June 1, 2, and 5 (FYI)
Keep in mind the following consideration:
· YOUR SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT! DO NOT ATTEMPT ANY PORTION OF ANY PROJECT THAT PUTS YOU OR THE MEMBERS OF YOUR GROUP IN ANY JEOPARDY. YOU MUST ALSO MAKE SURE TO SAFEGUARD ANY PERSON OR SCHOOL PROPERTY FROM DAMAGE.
· EVERYONE must contribute in a MEANINGFUL WAY to the final product, as evident by your daily participation AND in the ‘credits’ portion of the presentation.
· Use whatever resources are available; we have no budget. Avoid extravagances. Projects that display ingenuity in reusing, recycling, or repurposing materials will be held in higher regard than those that came with a hefty price tag. You may use whatever curricular materials I have available (sensors, lab equipment, etc.). Keep in mind not to damage or render useless anything you borrow from me.
· Clean up after yourself or if will reflect on your score.
Grading Criteria:
Proposal: You will submit the proposal (worth 20 points) by May 8th by the end of your class period. This is a pass/fail requirement.
Work Habits: Your daily interactions will be assessed on a pass/fail basis and will reflect your overall project score. You should be focused, engaged, and making progress toward you final project WITHIN EACH CLASS PERIOD. If you are, then you receive full credit. If you are not, then you will not. A written reflection should appear in your JOURNAL (rubric below)
Final Project Presentation: Your project and presentation will compliment your 4th 9 week period LAB NOTEBOOK grade, based on the following scale:
An ‘A+’ Project and Presentation
- Demonstrates complete conceptual understanding
- Is complete and goes beyond what is expected
- Entertains while it educates
- Fulfills your objective as set forth in your project proposal
- Is error-free (presentation)
- Represents exemplary achievement
- Is fit for publication/display on the district website, or can be used as an exemplar for future classes
An ‘A/B’ Project and Presentation
- Demonstrates conceptual understanding
- Is complete
- Entertains while it educates
- Fulfills your objective as set forth in your project proposal
- Contains no more than two errors (presentation)
- Represents commendable achievement
An ‘B-/C’ Project and Presentation
- Demonstrates some understanding
- Is fairly complete
- Just misses your objective as set forth in your project proposal
- Contains some errors (presentation)
- Represents adequate achievement
An ‘C-/D’ Project and Presentation
- Demonstrates obvious misconceptions
- Is sorely incomplete
- Is nowhere close to your objective as set forth in your project proposal
- Contains multiple errors (presentation)
- Represents limited evidence of achievement
Finally, this is meant to be physics related and fun (and no, that is not an oxymoron). You can design and build something, you can do a research paper, you can do a movie, play or interpretive dance or just about anything else about a physics topic. You have worked hard all year on stuff that I have thought was important, now it is your turn to decide what you want to do.
Good Luck!
AP Physics Final Project Rubric
Build & Project / 19-20 / 16-18 / 12-15 / 0-11Meets Objectives / Fulfills your objective as set forth in your project proposal.
Is complete and goes beyond what is expected / Fulfills your objective as set forth in your project proposal
Is complete / Just misses your objective as set forth in your project proposal
Is fairly complete / Is nowhere close to your objective as set forth in your project Is sorely incomplete
Professional / Represents exemplary achievement
Is fit for publication on the district website, or can be used as an exemplar for future classes / Represents commendable achievement / Represents adequate achievement / Represents limited evidence of achievement
Presentation / Is error-free (presentation) / Contains no more than two errors (presentation) / Contains some errors (presentation) / Contains multiple errors (presentation)
Educates / Demonstrates complete conceptual understanding / Demonstrates conceptual understanding / Demonstrates some understanding / Demonstrates obvious misconceptions
Entertains / Entertains while it educates / Entertains while it educates / Somewhat entertaining / Little attempt at entertainment
Journal / 9-10 / 7-8 / 5-6 / 0-4
Participation / Works diligently every day / Works every day / Works some days / Worked little in class
Daily Entries / Journal has a thorough, concise, and topically accurate entry for each day. The daily objective is listed and met. The entry demonstrates substantial progress has been made. / Journal has a thorough, concise, and accurate entry for each day. The daily objective is listed. The entry demonstrates some progress has been made. / Journal has an accurate entry for each day. The daily objective is listed. The entry demonstrates little progress has been made. / Journal has an entry for each day. The daily objective is listed. The entry demonstrates no progress has been made.