Transform your AP Physics 1 classroom into a dynamic, hands-on environment with this comprehensive lab manual. Designed by an experienced physics educator with over 20 years of teaching and training expertise in AP Physics, this collection of labs is crafted to help you inspire and engage your students through practical, every-day experiments.

Whether you're a seasoned teacher or just starting out, this manual is intended to help incorporate more labs into your curriculum. The author vividly recalls the challenges of being a first-year teacher, striving to bring experiments into every class. Now, with these thoughtfully designed labs, you too can create a classroom where physics comes alive every day.

This manual offers a flexible approach to teaching physics, allowing you to adapt each lab to your students' needs. The labs are organized according to the AP Physics 1 outline, but you have the freedom to introduce topics when your students are ready. For example, the pendulum and spring labs are introduced early, providing foundational understanding that can be revisited throughout the course.

What sets this lab manual apart is its focus on accessibility. Most labs require only easily obtainable materials, ensuring that budget constraints won't hinder your ability to conduct meaningful experiments. The goal is for every classroom, regardless of resources, to conduct at least one lab per week, making physics an integral and accessible part of your students' learning experience.

These labs are ready for immediate student use but are also designed with flexibility in mind. You can modify the style and rigor of each experiment to match your students' abilities and interests, ensuring that every lab is a perfect fit for your classroom.

With this lab manual, you’re not just teaching physics—you’re showing your students that physics is a part of their world, accessible to everyone. Bring the wonders of physics to life and give your students the gift of a meaningful and productive learning experience.

About the Author: With over two decades of teaching experience in physics and AP Physics, James Lincoln has also trained new teachers for over 10 years. A seasoned AP Exam Reader and AP Workshop Director, he contributes to AAPT’s The Physics Teacher journal as a high school column editor. Passionate about sharing labs, demos, and teaching strategies, the author is eager to support fellow educators in their journey to becoming exceptional teachers.

Every day is a precious opportunity: give the gift of physics!