MacArthur High Pre-AP Physics Students Build Hovercrafts, Study Newton’s Laws of Motion

Principal Craft is pictured on hovercraft with students.

Patricia Ego’s Pre-AP (advanced placement) physics students at MacArthur High School worked on Isaac Newton’s 1st and 3rd Laws of Motion.

The students built their own hovercrafts out of CDs and balloons. Students tested their CD/balloon hovercrafts and then had to explain how the hovercraft works using Newton’s Laws of Motion. After they correctly explained the science, they got to go out in the hall and ride the large hovercraft that Ego and Daniel Soules, a student teacher, created.

Principal Dr. Kristin Craft stopped by the class when the students were riding the hovercraft.

“The students were so excited to share what they had learned in her physics class,” said Ego. “And of course, the students wanted Dr. Craft to try the hovercraft out.

“Dr. Craft struck a deal. She asked the students to explain the science behind the hovercraft and if they answered correctly, she agreed to sit on the hovercraft and ‘hover.’ The students answered correctly and Dr. Craft kept her word.”