Sackboy is Teaching my Physics Class

As an 8th grade Science teacher, my curriculum is split between Chemistry and Physics.  We just had our midterm exams and I've switched to teaching about Newtonian Physics.  Normally, I would trot out some old Road Runner vs. Wile E. Coytoe videos and have the class describe all of the laws that are blatantly violated.  However, I was recently inspired by a program called Steam for Schools:(http://www.teachwithportals.com/)

The basic idea of Steam for Schools was to have students play Portal and overcome specially designed challenges that would illustrate certain concepts in Physics.  (Gravity, conservation of momentum, friction, cake, etc.)  The program sounded great, but time did not allow for me to get it all installed in my computer lab and develop an entire unit out of it (read: too busy doing OTHER awesome things ;) )

So I brought the PS3 and Little Big Planet into my room and Sackboy gave an introductory lesson on how video games utilize (and sometimes break) the laws of Physics.  We talked about how programmers use MATH to translate real life rules into game mechanics.  We also rode a give skateboard and got scared by ghosts.

Little Big Planet is a great game to use to demonstrate Physics because the goals of the game are directly related to the Physics-driven game mechanics.  Also there is a distinct lack of high paced combat, arterial bleeding, cursing, and nudity.  We keep it clean in Mr. Doran's room.