Teaching Guide: Laura Bassi’s School of Experimental Physics
Students will be immersed in the state-of-the-art lab of Laura Bassi, an 18th century experimental physicist. They will learn about Bassi and perform simple experiments on subjects Bassi and other scientists were exploring at the time, including static electricity, surface tension, and light refraction. They will record their observations in lab notebooks and graduate from the “Laura Bassi Experimental Physics School” with diplomas.
Portrait of Laura Maria Caterina Bassi by Johann Jakob Haid
Students will be immersed in the state-of-the-art lab of Laura Bassi, an 18th century experimental physicist. They will learn about Bassi and perform simple experiments on subjects Bassi and other scientists were exploring at the time, including static electricity, surface tension, and light refraction. They will record their observations in lab notebooks and graduate from the “Laura Bassi Experimental Physics School” with diplomas.
Grade level(s): 1-3, 4-5
Guide subjects: History, Physics
Minority Group(s): Women
In-class time: 70-95 minutes
Prep time: 20-30 minutes
Technology Requirements: Student web access not required, Audio/Video not required
Common Core Standards: Language
Next Generation Science Standards: Motion and Stability: Forces and Interaction