WNYPTA by nysmtp Buffalo

WNYPTA

yrusso1_1 — 2025-01-28 15:38:59 UTC

The Western New York Physics Teacher Alliance (WNYPTA) is an active community of physics and physical science teachers in the Buffalo Niagara Region. We are teachers sharing ideas, learning together, and creating a professional community of physics and physical science teachers. All meetings are open to physics, physical science, and other interested teachers.

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yrusso1_1 — 2025-01-28 15:40:25 UTC

Temp. Electricity Phenomenon

yrusso1_1 — 2025-01-28 15:45:16 UTC

David Henry shares his electricity phenomenon

Computational Puzzles

yrusso1_1 — 2025-01-28 15:50:16 UTC

RIT computational puzzles. Using logic in STEM classes.

Hair Diffraction

yrusso1_1 — 2025-01-28 15:53:54 UTC

Qualitative Diffraction, written by Quinn Thomson

Hair Diffraction Pattern

yrusso1_1 — 2025-01-28 15:56:52 UTC

The Width of a Hair Activity

Quantum for Educators

yrusso1_1 — 2025-01-28 15:59:35 UTC

Share session from the University of Waterloo Virtual Workshop

yrusso1_1 — 2025-01-28 16:04:36 UTC

Dan Graf shares his introduction of Resistance.

Meeting Resources

yrusso1_1 — 2025-01-28 16:07:19 UTC

Physics Olympics Outreach Fan Cart Firenze

yrusso1_1 — 2025-01-28 16:11:10 UTC

Practicing for the Physics Olympics events.

"How would you score?"

Create a graph to include in the Event Set.

SUNY Dual Physics Credit

yrusso1_1 — 2025-01-28 16:14:05 UTC

Information for teachers interested in Dual Enrollment of Physics and SUNY Credit

PLANNING TO ATTEND Physics Olympics March 28th??? Complete the Participant Interest Form.

yrusso1_1 — 2025-01-28 16:15:33 UTC

If you intend to attend please complete the participant interest survey

Make & Take

yrusso1_1 — 2025-01-28 16:16:23 UTC

Doppler Frisbees

New Assessment Cluster

yrusso1_1 — 2025-01-28 16:18:04 UTC

Example Sample Radiation Cluster

Meeting Resources

yrusso1_1 — 2025-01-28 16:32:40 UTC

Walking Computational Puzzles

yrusso1_1 — 2025-01-28 16:59:54 UTC

Using Computational Thinking to engage and enrich problem solving.

Custom Name Tag Laser Engraving

yrusso1_1 — 2025-01-28 17:03:21 UTC

We will have a Make & (not) Take session to create custom name tags for participants.

Empowering Physics Education with A.I.

yrusso1_1 — 2025-01-28 17:17:30 UTC

How physics teachers can use free A.I. tools for all aspects of teaching physics.

Physics Olympics Check in & Planning

yrusso1_1 — 2025-01-28 17:18:01 UTC

In preparation for Physics Olympics we need to spend sometime doing Trivia!

Introducing Circular Motion

yrusso1_1 — 2025-01-28 17:19:12 UTC

Whiteboard Cutting Workshop

yrusso1_1 — 2025-01-30 14:54:38 UTC

Location: Buffalo State

yrusso1_1 — 2025-01-30 14:54:47 UTC

Physics Olympics Check in & Planning

yrusso1_1 — 2025-01-30 18:17:23 UTC

Size and Mass of an Atom Student Activity

yrusso1_1 — 2025-02-12 15:56:52 UTC

Meeting Resources

yrusso1_1 — 2025-02-12 16:02:29 UTC

Free Demos & Things

yrusso1_1 — 2025-02-26 12:59:57 UTC

Lowell has retried and he is looking to rehome some of his favorite demos, resources, and toys.

SPARK 2025

yrusso1_1 — 2025-03-01 13:41:43 UTC

May 22-24, 2025

Make & Take

2025-03-01 13:59:24 UTC

QuarkNet MasterClass March 29th @ 10-5:30

2025-03-01 14:17:13 UTC

If your students are interested in participating, please let us know by March 8. No prior preparation is required for attendees.

If March 29 does not work for your school, we also have an alternative date available: April 5.

STEP UP 2025-2026 Advocate Application

2025-03-01 14:52:15 UTC

STEP UP Advocates are teachers of physics working to inspire young women to pursue physics in their classrooms.

Selected educators will join a cohort of 20-60 teachers in their region. They will receive support from their STEP UP regional team as they learn about equity best practices and the STEP UP curriculum.

Our Advocates will be on the front lines of improving gender equity in physics and will provide critical feedback to the STEP UP Program about the lessons, and the impact in their classrooms.

Please apply by Sunday, April 06, 2025.

It will take you approximately 5-10 minutes to complete the application.

yrusso1_1 — 2025-03-01 19:07:24 UTC

Book recommendation

MORE Free Demos & Things

yrusso1_1 — 2025-03-04 12:59:10 UTC

Lowell has retried and he is looking to rehome some of his favorite demos, resources, and toys.

NEW!!! Bookswap

yrusso1_1 — 2025-03-04 18:25:50 UTC

NEW!!! Bookswap

yrusso1_1 — 2025-03-04 18:25:55 UTC

March 28, 2025

yrusso1_1 — 2025-03-04 18:40:31 UTC

Variation on the "g" from a pendulum lab

2025-03-22 17:15:57 UTC

Traffic Counters Investigation

2025-03-25 18:07:53 UTC

What is this vehicle driving over? What is it and what is it used for?

Exploring traffic counters

Shell Shocked Showdown Smiles

yrusso1_1 — 2025-03-30 15:02:07 UTC

Fancart Fun

yrusso1_1 — 2025-03-30 15:03:25 UTC

More Ramp Fun

yrusso1_1 — 2025-03-30 15:06:24 UTC

Building time!

yrusso1_1 — 2025-03-30 15:07:36 UTC

Egg-ciment

yrusso1_1 — 2025-03-30 15:08:30 UTC

Physics enthusiasts

yrusso1_1 — 2025-03-30 15:09:31 UTC

Preparing for a drop!

yrusso1_1 — 2025-03-30 15:11:52 UTC

Olympians!

yrusso1_1 — 2025-03-30 15:13:04 UTC

Facilitator Fun

yrusso1_1 — 2025-03-30 15:13:38 UTC

Nail Polish Thin Film Refraction

yrusso1_1 — 2025-04-03 17:01:01 UTC

Thin film refraction with nail polish activity

Hexagonal Critical Thinking

yrusso1_1 — 2025-04-03 19:09:13 UTC

Hexagonal thinking involves students using hexagon-shaped cards with physics concepts to visually connect and explore relationships between those concepts, fostering critical thinking and deeper understanding

Meeting Resources

yrusso1_1 — 2025-04-03 19:10:02 UTC

Student Gravity Wells

yrusso1_1 — 2025-04-26 14:14:26 UTC

Make a personal gravity well like the large classroom demo above.

How much horsepower does your car really need?

canisiusphysics — 2025-04-26 21:46:52 UTC

Space Patch Educator Professional Development Event

yrusso1_1 — 2025-04-30 15:16:28 UTC

May 10, 2025

SPARK 2025

yrusso1_1 — 2025-04-30 15:37:20 UTC

May 22-24, 2025

PHY622 (6cr): Electricity and Magnetism for High School Teachers

yrusso1_1 — 2025-04-30 15:40:24 UTC

Begins July 7, 2025, 3 weeks in person

PHY 518 (3cr) WAVE PHENOMENA AND OPTICS FOR TEACHERS

yrusso1_1 — 2025-04-30 15:46:55 UTC

Fall 2025

STANYS

yrusso1_1 — 2025-04-30 15:48:11 UTC

November 7-10, 2025

2025 AAPT Summer Meeting in Washington, D.C.!

yrusso1_1 — 2025-04-30 15:50:06 UTC

August 2-6,2025

Mark your calendar for our future meetings.

yrusso1_1 — 2025-04-30 15:54:21 UTC

Sept 26, 2026

Nov 7, 2026

NOTE some dates have changed

Past Events Below ⬇️

yrusso1_1 — 2025-05-14 15:51:58 UTC

Fields!

yrusso1_1 — 2025-06-04 11:42:12 UTC

Perimeter Institute of Theoretical Physics Field activites!

Make & Take

yrusso1_1 — 2025-06-04 11:47:54 UTC

Personal Gravity Wells

Students model electric fields with stretchy fabric. By pulling the fabric in different ways, they model attraction and repulsion. Students roll marbles on the fabric to map out the electric field.

yrusso1_1 — 2025-06-04 11:49:32 UTC

Team work makes the dream work.

Perimeter Institute FREE Teacher Workshops

yrusso1_1 — 2025-06-04 12:55:07 UTC

Free Resources and Training!

yrusso1_1 — 2025-06-04 18:25:45 UTC

Physics Olympics 2026 announcements & updates

yrusso1_1 — 2025-09-05 00:23:36 UTC

Announcing the date, Event 1, Event 2, & brainstorm Event 3.

STEAM 4 SPACE and Q&A w/ Fred Haise

yrusso1_1 — 2025-09-05 14:30:55 UTC

STEAM 4 SPACE - We will host up to 60 K-12 teachers (and student teachers) for a free, hands-on activity where the participants will learn about an activity they can use in their classrooms, using space mission patches to explore various STEAM topics.

Join the new Community! Lab Minds: Physics Investigation Exploration

yrusso1_1 — 2025-09-05 16:42:44 UTC

CLICK HERE TO RSVP to the first meeting.

Oct. 14, 2025, 4:30-7PM SAMC 359

Lab Minds is a Master Teacher-Led professional learning community focused on the exploration and implementation of NEW physics investigations that promote scientific inquiry and deeper conceptual understanding. This group is committed to fostering collaboration among educators to enhance physics instruction through hands-on, student-centered learning experiences.

Apollo 13: HOME SAFE

2025-09-24 15:10:51 UTC

30 minute NASA produced 2017 documentary Apollo 13: Home Safe

Submit a question for Fred

2025-09-24 15:13:14 UTC

Prepare and submit your question for Fred Haise

2026 PHYSICS OLYPICS

2025-09-25 16:40:56 UTC

Wednesday, March 25th, 2026

And possibly...

Saturday, March 21st, 2026

Conducting Electricity Through Glass

2025-10-15 14:06:41 UTC

Here is a video of the demo

Other Phenomenon

2025-10-15 14:07:05 UTC

Meeting Resources

2025-10-15 14:10:35 UTC

STEAM 4 SPACE

2025-10-26 11:45:16 UTC

Here is the website to see further lessons and resources from our guest Logan Jaeren

Mission Patch STUDENT site

2025-10-26 11:47:19 UTC

Airbags as Real-Life Applications for Science NSTA Article

2025-10-31 16:25:14 UTC

NSTA Article

Airbag Exploration!

2025-10-31 16:36:59 UTC

Explore the science and safety engineering behind automotive airbags while experiencing a range of engaging physics demonstrations created by students. Participants will examine real airbag components, learn how accelerometers and onboard computers trigger deployment, and connect these systems to physics concepts such as momentum and impulse. The session includes observing live airbag deployments, analyzing venting and energy transfer, and discussing real-world safety implications for drivers and first responders.

Physics Demos

2025-10-31 17:28:22 UTC

Creative physics demos developed by AP Physics students at Nichols School, originally showcased to the public during a two-week exhibit at the Buffalo Science Museum.

Meeting Resources

2025-10-31 17:31:10 UTC

Perimeter Institute Quantum Dots

2025-10-31 17:34:34 UTC

Quantum Technology provides a concrete and engaging introduction to the basic ideas of quantum mechanics. This resource features a variety of quantum technologies, and includes a video on quantum computers designed to bring quantum to your classroom.

Photon Energy Make & Take

2025-10-31 17:35:48 UTC

Physics Olympics Update

2025-10-31 17:37:09 UTC

IIHS Airbags

2025-11-03 15:35:37 UTC

More info.

2025-11-04 00:00:45 UTC

Airbags!

High speed video

Passenger side airbag

75 kg dummy

NYS Physics Investigation Workshop

2025-11-13 15:57:43 UTC

Jan 17, 2026

9AM-2PM

NASA Heliophysics Education Activation Team

2025-12-03 16:49:37 UTC

NASA HEAT Saturday Workshops

2025-12-03 17:28:40 UTC

2025-12-03 17:31:35 UTC

Meeting Resources

2025-12-03 17:35:13 UTC

Quantum Particle in a Box

2025-12-12 17:26:14 UTC

Plancks

2025-12-13 15:25:23 UTC

APS Calendar

2026-01-09 12:28:34 UTC

Calendar of upcoming meetings and events.

Electric Weenies

2026-01-28 18:26:20 UTC

We will also investigate series and parallel circuits with Dan Graf. We will cook hot dogs in series and hot dogs in parallel to compare the flow of energy in each type of circuit. This activity will also include a Fuse Demo: showing total current in a parallel circuit increases with each additional device added and can potentially reach unsafe levels. Fuses and circuit breakers prevent overloading wires.

Electric Weenie Speakers

2026-01-28 18:27:21 UTC

Vypthon Introduction

2026-01-28 18:31:04 UTC

Dan MacIsaac, SUNY Buffalo State University

P.I. Playdoh Planck's Constant

2026-01-28 18:33:58 UTC

Perimeter Institute Investigation in which students follow instructions to build a simple circuit and observe LEDs, making measurements that enable them to determine Planck’s constant.

Meeting Resources

2026-01-28 18:35:22 UTC

Glow in the Dark Projectile (with an approximation for pi)

2026-03-10 12:12:27 UTC

=In rigid bodies where the COM is not at the centroid, you'll get an elliptical path about the COM as shown below with one of my students data from earlier in the year:

Magnetism Demos

2026-03-10 12:13:12 UTC

Pi Toss

2026-03-10 12:15:23 UTC

NYS Induction Junction

2026-03-10 12:35:40 UTC

The Induction Junction Investigation engages students in designing and conducting experiments to show that an electric current can produce a magnetic field and that a changing magnetic field can induce an electric current. Through building models, testing modifications, and analyzing results, students develop evidence-based explanations of electromagnetic induction and the relationship between electricity and magnetism.

Making Induction Tubes

2026-03-10 12:37:20 UTC

SNOLAB Pi Day

2026-03-12 16:41:19 UTC

Argument Driven Inquiry

2026-03-19 14:03:57 UTC

Empire State STEM Learning Network

2026-03-19 14:04:31 UTC

Joe Zawicki

New York State STEM Education Collaborative Summer Conference

2026-03-19 14:05:05 UTC

STANYS Calendar

2026-03-19 14:06:43 UTC

STANYS Annual Conference

2026-03-19 14:08:20 UTC

Nov. 6-9, 2026

Downtown Marriott, Syracuse, NY

2026-04-17 13:18:34 UTC

2026-04-17 13:18:42 UTC

2026-04-17 13:18:48 UTC

2026-04-17 13:19:20 UTC

Waves and Ripple Tanks

2026-04-17 13:35:10 UTC

Explore wave phenomena with ripple tanks

Measuring the speed of Sound in air

2026-04-17 13:38:41 UTC

The classic speed of sound in air lab

2026-04-17 13:40:44 UTC

Speed of sound in aluminum

FFT

2026-04-17 15:00:35 UTC

Without the FFT, analyzing complex data in real time would be too computationally slow. It transforms data from a waveform that is often difficult to interpret into a clear spectrum that highlights specific frequencies, harmonics, or noise

Determine the wavelength of Light using defraction

2026-04-17 15:02:56 UTC

Use diffraction and interference to find the wavelength of colors in

various bright-line spectra.

Science Planetarium Summer Camp

2026-04-17 15:11:02 UTC

New Physics Teacher Workshop

2026-04-17 15:14:33 UTC

Workshop 1: Mechanics & Energy

July 27-30, 8-5PM

Workshop 1: Electricity Waves

Aug 3-6, 8-5PM

3D String Light Show Display

2026-04-18 14:05:35 UTC

Celebration of Dan MacIsaac

2026-04-20 17:40:50 UTC

Dan will be leaving Buffalo State (and the U.S.) in June! Please join us at this WNYPTA meeting to celebrate all the work that Dan has done for Physics Education at Buffalo State and beyond!

Thank you Dan & Dave!

2026-05-09 12:33:43 UTC

Kite Activity

2026-05-09 12:37:00 UTC

Have you ever watched a kite hover overhead and wondered, "How high is it really?" You can’t reach a

tape measure up there, so you’ll use two different indirect-measurement techniques and compare your

answers. Each lab group will fly a kite carrying a small "messenger" — a slider that runs up the line and

releases a lightweight object on command.

"Bike Stuff"

2026-05-09 12:42:09 UTC

Resonators 3d Print

2026-05-09 14:21:02 UTC

Double Slit Model

2026-05-09 14:21:39 UTC

Introductory Optical System (Optical Bench)

2026-05-09 14:22:38 UTC

Join us for our first meeting of the 2026-2027 school year!

2026-05-11 15:10:40 UTC

Quarknet

2026-05-13 11:29:45 UTC

Have a great summer! See you on Sept. 26, 2026

2026-06-08 15:06:24 UTC

Gemini Notebook Chat

2026-08-05 13:49:54 UTC

Guide to the NYSSLS Physics Course

Example Scope and Sequence

2026-08-05 14:44:24 UTC

This is a copy of a Scope and Sequence. It isn't the only option, but feel free to use as you need.

Full Folder of NYSSLS Resources

2026-08-05 14:48:12 UTC

Sample Clusters

2026-08-05 14:58:35 UTC