SCH Physics Teacher ‘Reinvents the Wheel’ in Peer-Reviewed Journal

SCH physics teacher Alissa Sperling recently published an innovative new lab in the peer-reviewed journal, The Physics Teacher. Her article, titled “Reinventing the Wheel,” presents a simplified approach to teaching rotational inertia, a complex topic often challenging for AP Physics (Mechanics) students.

Sperling’s lab design streamlines the traditional setup, making it more accessible and less confusing for students. By utilizing a familiar apparatus, the lab allows students to focus on the core concepts of rotational inertia without being bogged down by complicated procedures.

“The open-ended procedure handed agency back to the students and pushed them to develop their own methods rather than blindly following pre-written steps,” wrote Sperling in the article. “Most tellingly, the simplicity and familiarity of the setup allowed students to engage and focus on the topic at hand, develop a deeper understanding of rotation, and practice their newly acquired integral calculus derivation skills.”

Sperling’s article highlights SCH’s commitment to fostering innovative teaching practices and providing students with vigorous academics, teaching, and learning experiences. 

“As I often tell my students, there’s more than one way to approach most problems,” says Sperling.