Kevin posts his first day activity and then Bob shares what he did with his students on the first day, using a variation on Mike's activity.

Subj: George Washington's nose
From: Kevin

I use a lab I stole from The Science Teacher for a first day activity for my physics students. I place pan balances and meter sticks in obvious places in the room before class begins (they are supposed to know how to use them from chemistry). I have them pair up and get out a dollar bill. Then I tell them I want to know the mass of George's nose on that dollar bill to three decimal places (that's what our balances do) and they can't damage the bill in any way.

After they get over the shock of not having any instructions they get going and come up with some interesting methods. They even have to use some (gasp!) geometry.

Turns out, it is about 1 mg.

next message >>