Equipment and materials that are used in the Physics Van activities are held and maintained at CSU. The van driver keeps track of all equipment, and identifies equipment needs and equipment requiring repair. After completing the training on a particular activity, the participating teachers can request the activity and the equipment that goes with the activity. Because of the varying needs at CPS schools, the equipment available through the Physics Van ranges from the very basic (metersticks, stopwatches, bricks) to the more advanced (Vernier and PASCO probeware, Van de Graaff generators, YBaCu superconductors). Van activities use very basic and cheap materials, expensive materials, or a combination of the two. We hope to convey the idea that one can engage students in inquiry-based science even with a very small budget. Yet, we also want schools with very limited resources to gain experience using more technology-oriented items such as Vernier and PASCO probeware. We have observed that students at these schools often feel that they have been overlooked in terms of the resources that are provided to them and their schools—providing this type of equipment at these schools can work toward a change in the perception that these students have of themselves as learners of science.

We have included a sample activity, a sample Eye Opener Activity, and the activity list on the Physics Van website (http://www.csu.edu/ChemistryAndPhysics/csuphysvan/) so that those interested can get a better sense of the instructional materials we use in the program.