Nick Watkins
@pnwphysics.bsky.social
AP Physics 1, Physical Science, Bio teacher in Tacoma, WA. Interested in sharing resources and collaborating! #iteachphysics #EDUsky #ModPhys #NBCT #VernierTrendsetter
Can’t do yard work without trying to teach my kids some physics Good warmup question during a fluids unit is why does the ball get closer when it’s directly over the leaf blower vs at an angle? #iteachphysics #bernoullisprinciple
November 8, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Can’t do yard work without trying to teach my kids some physics Good warmup question during a fluids unit is why does the ball get closer when it’s directly over the leaf blower vs at an angle? #iteachphysics #bernoullisprinciple
Day 51 Physics - Sub Day! October has no breaks so feels good to have a break. Students will be taking their data from yesterdays lab and creating a Friction one-pager
#iteachphysics #teach180
#iteachphysics #teach180
November 7, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Day 51 Physics - Sub Day! October has no breaks so feels good to have a break. Students will be taking their data from yesterdays lab and creating a Friction one-pager
#iteachphysics #teach180
#iteachphysics #teach180
Next time I’d change the variables to be # of sanding strokes vs μ and have each group use a different grit. Or attach the grit to the bottom of the wood itself. However part of what I wanted them to do is physically sand wood.
I was pressed for time so didn’t have them do multiple trials
I was pressed for time so didn’t have them do multiple trials
November 7, 2025 at 3:50 AM
Next time I’d change the variables to be # of sanding strokes vs μ and have each group use a different grit. Or attach the grit to the bottom of the wood itself. However part of what I wanted them to do is physically sand wood.
I was pressed for time so didn’t have them do multiple trials
I was pressed for time so didn’t have them do multiple trials
Day 50 Physics - Came up with a lab idea w/o testing it. Wanted to get students to saw and sand wood so set up a sand grit vs μ lab. Had Ss launch wood through photogate and measured distance then derive μ. Had them sand with different grits and repeat. Reflection in thread #iteachphysics #teach180
November 7, 2025 at 3:50 AM
Day 50 Physics - Came up with a lab idea w/o testing it. Wanted to get students to saw and sand wood so set up a sand grit vs μ lab. Had Ss launch wood through photogate and measured distance then derive μ. Had them sand with different grits and repeat. Reflection in thread #iteachphysics #teach180
Day 50 Physical Sci - Wanted to connect newtons laws to some engineering concepts so used this TPT template for a stone bridge. Basically took the whole period to introduce bridge types, make predictions, then cutting and assembling. Didn’t have time to test yet #iteachphysics #teach180
November 7, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Day 50 Physical Sci - Wanted to connect newtons laws to some engineering concepts so used this TPT template for a stone bridge. Basically took the whole period to introduce bridge types, make predictions, then cutting and assembling. Didn’t have time to test yet #iteachphysics #teach180
Day 49 Physical Sci - set up two opposing students on rolling chairs with a rope in between. Did a lot of “you hold you pull” demos and had class predict. Switched out students of different masses. Led into Newton’s third law notes #iteachphysics #teach180
November 6, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Day 49 Physical Sci - set up two opposing students on rolling chairs with a rope in between. Did a lot of “you hold you pull” demos and had class predict. Switched out students of different masses. Led into Newton’s third law notes #iteachphysics #teach180
Day 49 Physics - Friction word problems, assigned each Ss one to complete on a large whiteboard then did a half stay and explain-half gallery walk. Remaining problems for homework. #iteachphysics #teach180
November 6, 2025 at 3:07 AM
Day 49 Physics - Friction word problems, assigned each Ss one to complete on a large whiteboard then did a half stay and explain-half gallery walk. Remaining problems for homework. #iteachphysics #teach180
Day 48 Physics - Friction notes and problem solving with Ff=uFn
Lots of great discussion, used magnifying glasses on lab tables to see the irregularities in the surface, dragged wood blocks across diff surfaces, pulled up @phetsims.bsky.social friction sim for a micro look #iteachphysics #teach180
Lots of great discussion, used magnifying glasses on lab tables to see the irregularities in the surface, dragged wood blocks across diff surfaces, pulled up @phetsims.bsky.social friction sim for a micro look #iteachphysics #teach180
November 5, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Day 48 Physics - Friction notes and problem solving with Ff=uFn
Lots of great discussion, used magnifying glasses on lab tables to see the irregularities in the surface, dragged wood blocks across diff surfaces, pulled up @phetsims.bsky.social friction sim for a micro look #iteachphysics #teach180
Lots of great discussion, used magnifying glasses on lab tables to see the irregularities in the surface, dragged wood blocks across diff surfaces, pulled up @phetsims.bsky.social friction sim for a micro look #iteachphysics #teach180
Day 47 Physics - Newtons 3rd law notes but mostly a bunch of demos. Very conceptual day before we get into friction #iteachphysics #teach180
November 4, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Day 47 Physics - Newtons 3rd law notes but mostly a bunch of demos. Very conceptual day before we get into friction #iteachphysics #teach180
Day 46 Physical Sci - powered through our N2L lab. Worth it to follow through not just for data but also for Ss to build those labs skills even when it’s against their will 💀 used a mix of cars with motion detectors and smart carts #iteachphysics #teach180
November 1, 2025 at 5:36 AM
Day 46 Physical Sci - powered through our N2L lab. Worth it to follow through not just for data but also for Ss to build those labs skills even when it’s against their will 💀 used a mix of cars with motion detectors and smart carts #iteachphysics #teach180
Day 44 Physical Sci - started a newtons 2nd law lab. Lots of set up so mostly worked on hypothesis and having groups gather supplies. Tomorrow will collect data. #iteachphysics #teach180
October 30, 2025 at 5:45 AM
Day 44 Physical Sci - started a newtons 2nd law lab. Lots of set up so mostly worked on hypothesis and having groups gather supplies. Tomorrow will collect data. #iteachphysics #teach180
Day 43 Physics - measured vertical jump on earth both the analog method with tape on a wall and by using verniers force plate. The force plate is great but students won’t jump as high as they can given they land back down on the plate. Calculated verticals on other planets #iteachphysics #teach180
October 29, 2025 at 6:35 AM
Day 43 Physics - measured vertical jump on earth both the analog method with tape on a wall and by using verniers force plate. The force plate is great but students won’t jump as high as they can given they land back down on the plate. Calculated verticals on other planets #iteachphysics #teach180
Cool opportunity to talk about scientists who impacted our world and talk about science with him. Bonus if you can name all three scientists featured in this build!
October 28, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Cool opportunity to talk about scientists who impacted our world and talk about science with him. Bonus if you can name all three scientists featured in this build!
For the last couple of weeks, every night before bed my 5 year old and I have been working on this science Lego. It was actually a Father’s Day gift but with a new baby there just wasn’t time. It became a really sweet bed time routine and I’m sad it’s built but also it’s amazing! #iteachphysics
October 28, 2025 at 6:15 AM
For the last couple of weeks, every night before bed my 5 year old and I have been working on this science Lego. It was actually a Father’s Day gift but with a new baby there just wasn’t time. It became a really sweet bed time routine and I’m sad it’s built but also it’s amazing! #iteachphysics
Day 42 Physics - notes on fundamental forces with focus on gravity. Began with cup stacking challenge with using spring scales as a twist! Had students make observations of how the force they pulled with affected the partner opposite #iteachphysics #teach180
October 28, 2025 at 6:03 AM
Day 42 Physics - notes on fundamental forces with focus on gravity. Began with cup stacking challenge with using spring scales as a twist! Had students make observations of how the force they pulled with affected the partner opposite #iteachphysics #teach180
On the same day a former student now teacher sent a really uplifting email. Makes me feel old but also encouraged for the future!
October 24, 2025 at 11:42 PM
On the same day a former student now teacher sent a really uplifting email. Makes me feel old but also encouraged for the future!
Day 41 Physics - Very proud day, students presented our project to the district safety director and smashed it. During Q&A many quiet students became very vocal about their experience and made this project their own. All of them want to push the project beyond the classroom #iteachphysics #teach180
October 24, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Day 41 Physics - Very proud day, students presented our project to the district safety director and smashed it. During Q&A many quiet students became very vocal about their experience and made this project their own. All of them want to push the project beyond the classroom #iteachphysics #teach180
Day 40 Physical Sci - continued conversation about forces and focused on mass vs weight. Lots of video clips on diff weight examples on different planets. Introduced Fg formula and defined it graphically #iteachphysics #teach180
October 24, 2025 at 6:19 AM
Day 40 Physical Sci - continued conversation about forces and focused on mass vs weight. Lots of video clips on diff weight examples on different planets. Introduced Fg formula and defined it graphically #iteachphysics #teach180
Day 39 Physics - students working on final draft of presentation of our car safety project. #iteachphysics #teach180
October 23, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Day 39 Physics - students working on final draft of presentation of our car safety project. #iteachphysics #teach180
Day 38 Physics & Physical Sci - Did @cossettej.bsky.social newton block lab. Lots of setup so did it with both classes. My old set of blocks were beat up and missing pieces so adapted my set of a million go cars to do the same thing. Great lab to do each year! #iteachphysics #teach180
October 22, 2025 at 5:44 AM
Day 38 Physics & Physical Sci - Did @cossettej.bsky.social newton block lab. Lots of setup so did it with both classes. My old set of blocks were beat up and missing pieces so adapted my set of a million go cars to do the same thing. Great lab to do each year! #iteachphysics #teach180
Day 37 Physics - Compiled our 100 points of data and found that cars pass our school with an avg speed of 46.63mph. Students broke out to prepare a presentation for district. #iteachphysics #teach180
October 21, 2025 at 3:31 AM
Day 37 Physics - Compiled our 100 points of data and found that cars pass our school with an avg speed of 46.63mph. Students broke out to prepare a presentation for district. #iteachphysics #teach180