Phriendly Physics is a Next Generation Science Standards focused physical science field trip to the Lederman Science Center for elementary school students.

Electricity & Magnetism: Explore the properties of magnets and electrical circuits to discover how they are part of the same force! Students will design and construct a unique magnet, investigate different types of circuits, and discover what creates natural batteries. Data is recorded throughout each of the explorations.

Forces & Motion: Investigate Newton's 1st (Inertia) and 2nd Laws (acceleration) through a series of explorations while comparing and contrasting data. Students discover the physics of energy and work through simple machines by investigating force, stored energy, lift and consider the applications to their world.

Light & Color: Discover the fascinating properties of light and make connections to the world around them. Students use everyday tools to explore and observe the properties white light, colored light, shadows, refraction and reflection.

Matter and its Interactions: Investigate the properties of materials and substances and explore the unseen! Students will analyze data obtained from testing different materials to learn about the various properties of matter.

To schedule your field trip, contact us at edreg@fnal.gov or call us at 630-840-8258.

To fully prepare your students for a physical science or life science visit, you must participate in either a two-hour training session or a summer Teacher Workshop. These will give you all the information and resources to implement engaging preparatory activities in the classroom that introduce the essential concepts, content, and logistics of the field trip. Your participation will allow your students to learn more about the research and ecology of Fermilab and to better appreciate their on-site experience.

• Registration required three weeks prior.
  Location: Lederman Science Center
  Time: 4-6 p.m., with a 10-minute break
  Fee: Free of charge
  You must have a REAL ID-compliant document, such as an enhanced driver's license or passport, to enter Fermilab. Visit get-connected.fnal.gov/real-id-at-fermilab for more information.

• Phriendly Physics (Physical Science grades 1–5)
  • April 17 registration

The workshop helps K–5 teachers understand and feel comfortable with concepts of the physical sciences through facilitated exploration of a series of simple, open-ended experiments, and through discussion and reflection with master elementary school teachers and Fermilab staff. Through this process participants gain a deeper understanding both of the physics concepts and of new approaches in teaching and learning using the scientific method and scientific journaling. Participants also receive equipment and supplies so they can continue to explore these concepts with their students.

Phriendly Physics focuses on the classroom. Participants not only learn concepts, but also start to think like scientists. All of the activities from the workshop can be done in the classroom, many with inexpensive and/or household materials. The most important thing participants will do is learn how to help students frame and explore their own questions, like real scientists.

"The instructor modeled ways to encourage flexible thinking among students and ways to deepen and enrich the way I teach science."

"I really enjoyed the discussion on the Next Generation Science Standards and the instructor's focus on implementing them."