Be a Physicist!

The Be a Physicist! program invites children to take on the role of scientists as they investigate

different forms of energy and use the principles of physics to solve real-world problems. The activities

encourage children to practice scientific techniques and explore the following big ideas:

• Energy comes in different forms, like heat, light, sound, and motion

• Energy can change from one form into another, move from place to place, or transfer from

one object to another

• Scientists use models to test ideas and understand complicated systems

Each Be a Physicist! activity highlights a real-world career through a story that invites children to play

the role of a person in that career, while exploring how energy moves, changes, and shapes the

world around them:

Be an Accident Investigator

A minor accident has happened at an intersection, and the

town government wants to know what happened. Use model

cars to test possible scenarios, compare them to evidence

from the scene, and suggest improvements to make the

intersection safer.

Be a Laser Scientist

A space agency is sending a probe to explore outer space and

send information back to Earth by laser. Use a model system

to discover the best way to position relay satellites around

Earth to bounce the laser signal to the receiving station.

Be a Materials Scientist

Your company designs performance equipment for athletes, and you’ve been asked to develop coldweather gear for a ski team. Test materials to find out how well they block or transfer heat and

choose the best material—or create a new one—to keep the athletes warm while they ski.

Be a Power Plant Engineer

A community has hired you to design the power plant for a new

school they plan to build. Use a model circuit to explore how

electricity moves through materials, troubleshoot problems,

and make a plan for connecting the power plant to the school.

Be a Sound Engineer

Your video game company is creating the sound effects for a

new game, but one of the sounds isn’t loud enough to be

recorded properly. Explore ways to amplify sound and engineer

a device that makes the sound as loud as possible.