AP Physics: End of Semester Project
Your task is to produce clear and convincing evidence of the knowledge you gained during your time in
Advanced Placement Physics. You will present this evidence on the day of the senior final exam, via
some sort of multimedia production/demonstration (like the Coke-bottle YouTube video), a lasting
record of which (video, paper, etc.) you will submit to me on the day of the presentation.
You and your classmates have a number of options, any of which need to have approval from me
BEFORE you begin:
GROUP
 Create a novel apparatus to perform some function (simple or sophisticated) after carrying out
careful planning and calculations that prove that your device will complete the task for which
you built it. You MUST incorporate and explain the concepts and mathematical skills from the AP
curriculum or beyond (rotational mechanics, E&M, calculus, optics, etc). A simple demonstration
of x = vt will not suffice.
 Analyze the physics of a children’s toy – conceptual and mathematical. In choosing this
assignment, you can explore such questions as: What calculations were necessary to make this
toy do what it was intended to do? (How do you know?) What adjustments can be made to the
toy to make it perform “better”/”worse”? (How do you know?)
INDIVIDUAL
 Any of the above options.
 Write a well-researched expository paper (4 – 6 pages, double-spaced, 11-12 point font, 1”
margins, and proper APA citations) investigating a physics-based career, including such
information as educational requirements, post-undergraduate job opportunities, starting
salaries, opportunities for advancement, etc.
 Write a well-researched expository piece (4 – 6 pages, double-spaced, 11-12 point font, 1”
margins, and proper APA citations) based on this prompt: Find scholarly research that supports
or refutes the plausibility of time travel. Analyze the methodology (equipment, power sources,
etc.) that Doc Brown uses for time travel. How do the fictionalized elements of Back to the
Future coincide with or go against the most current research into time travel? (Remember,
almost thirty years have passed since the making of the film. Any scientific research you find,
however, should be no older than ten years.)
 Some other form of writing (once you have approval from me) – fiction, perhaps?
Keep in mind the following considerations:
 YOUR SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT ~ DO NOT ATTEMPT ANY PORTION OF ANY PROJECT THAT PUTS
YOU OR THE MEMBERS OF YOUR TEAM IS ANY JEOPARDY. YOU MUST ALSO MAKE SURE TO
SAFEGUARD ANY PERSONAL OR SCHOOL PROPERTY FROM DAMAGE.
 (FOR GROUP PROJECTS) EVERYONE must contribute in a MEANINGFUL WAY to the final product,
as evidenced by your daily participation AND in the “credits” portion of the presentation.
 Use whatever resources are available; we have no budget. Avoid extravagances. Projects that
display ingenuity in reusing, recycling, or repurposing materials will be held in higher regard
than those that came with a hefty price tag. You may use whatever curricular materials I have
available (sensors, lab equipment). Keep in mind not to damage or render useless anything you
borrow from me.
 At the end of the project, all materials that did not originate in Room 309 will not remain in
Room 309
Grading criteria:
PROPOSAL: You will submit the proposal form (worth 20 points in the 4th quarter) no later than 3
PM on Friday, May 17. This is a pass/fail requirement.
WORK HABITS: Your daily interactions will be assessed on a pass/fail basis and will comprise a test
grade that will be counted in the 4th quarter. You should be focused, engaged, and making progress
towards your final outcome. If you are, then you receive full credit. If you are not, then you will not.
FINAL PROJECT AND PRESENTATION: Your project and presentation will count for your semester
exam grade, based on the following scale:
An “A+” project AND presentation:
- Demonstrates complete conceptual understanding
- Is complete and goes beyond what is expected
- Entertains while it educates
- Fulfills your objective as set forth in your project proposal
- Is error-free (presentation)
- Represents exemplary achievement
- Is fit for publication/display on the district website, or can be used as an exemplar for future
classes
An “A”/“B” project:
- Demonstrates conceptual understanding
- Is complete
- Entertains while it educates
- Fulfills your objective as set forth in your project proposal
- Contains no more than two errors (presentation)
- Represents commendable achievement
A “B-”/“C” project:
- Demonstrates some understanding
- Is fairly complete
- Just misses your objective as set forth in your project proposal
- Contains some errors (presentation)
- Represents adequate achievement
A “C-“/”D” project:
- Demonstrates obvious misconceptions
- Is sorely incomplete
- Is nowhere close to fulfilling the objective as set forth in your project proposal
- Contains multiple obvious errors (presentation)
- Represents limited evidence of achievement