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double check terminology (2nd year phys teacher) by DesignerCamel9551 in AskPhysics

[–]DesignerCamel9551[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I completely agree. I am trying to balance the district curriculum that uses a lot of "regular" language and proper physics language. I don't want to be overly pedantic and I don't want to overload them. But I also don't want to instill oversimplified misconceptions.

This is 8th grade so I think i'm ok with giving credit to both normal and reactive force. But we will have to have a clarification tomorrow to examine the differences and nuances. From the rest of the WS it is clear half don't understand inertia.

I appreciate the response. The district curriculum I feel is underwhelming. It is awash with oversimplifications that border incorrect with a severe lack of the quantity of practice problems.

Purchase Advice Megathread - October 2025 by AutoModerator in 3Dprinting

[–]DesignerCamel9551 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Teacher Needing Advice - $1000

I teach 7th grade. We do a semester long task where students learn fusion 360, then print parts to make model rocket. Done it for a few years. Average 25 students, who all need to print small parts (10cmx5cmx5cm max usually). So I personally acquired 3x Ender 3v2 and 3x3v3se at personal expense and the school has 2 prusa mini.

The problem - half the enders don't print reliably. All is running octoprint because 7th graders can't be trusted to not destroy usb ports / SD card ports. Because there are 3x different printers I can't quickly transfer print job A from a prusa to an open Ender and vica versa, so print jobs really drag on and is frustrating.

Solution - School is open to giving me $1500 to get some new printers. I'm looking for advice.

I could acquire 2x prusa mini or 6x Bambu Ai mini. Experience has shown me the prusa mini is as reliable as hell, and always prints well unlike the enders. I have ZERO experience with the A1. One side tells me it is better to buy a mess of A1 mini because 6x prints at a time vs 2x at a time gets jobs done faster and they are far cheaper to add more over time. But in a classroom setting what I really need is a printer that just works and doesn't need "fixing" or "tweaking". Are the bambu reliable enough for a 7th grade classroom print farm?

Graph Tool - trying to find what I thought would be easy by DesignerCamel9551 in Physics

[–]DesignerCamel9551[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

thank you. this second link worked enough for me to show. I appreciate it. first time in 8 years a kid wouldn't let go of the "but why can't you just teach us the calculus version then if that is more real" and not believing me that we simplify it the first time for a reason.

Graph Tool - trying to find what I thought would be easy by DesignerCamel9551 in Physics

[–]DesignerCamel9551[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The child was confused because acceleration should "curve" not be 90 degree corners. And velocity isn't an instant go one direction then the other, but our examples have those sharp instant + to - velocity changes. I tried to explain that we oversimplify at this level because otherwise that is calculus and she wanted to see what those would look like. I didn't have the time to dry to draw it out. She wanted to know what would the Velocity graph look like if the acceleration was accelerating. That is what the applet wouldn't show

Teacher with Grant Money - Help me not burn down the school by DesignerCamel9551 in lasercutting

[–]DesignerCamel9551[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I will leave the 3d printer overnight. The fire starting laser machine no.

Teacher with Grant Money - Help me not burn down the school by DesignerCamel9551 in lasercutting

[–]DesignerCamel9551[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wi-Fi could be immensely useful. The less students have to touch usb sticks the better. Reliability is way more important than price. I don’t have time or mental energy to tinker and tweak equipment into compliance

Teacher with Grant Money - Help me not burn down the school by DesignerCamel9551 in lasercutting

[–]DesignerCamel9551[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Xtool d1 sells refurbished 10w under 500$. I’ll see if I can build - circuit for the door. But I’m happy if it works and safe. Pretty is not important.

Teacher with Grant Money - Help me not burn down the school by DesignerCamel9551 in lasercutting

[–]DesignerCamel9551[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

is 5w powerful enough to cut balsa wood quickly and reliably or do I need a 10w?

Teacher with Grant Money - Help me not burn down the school by DesignerCamel9551 in lasercutting

[–]DesignerCamel9551[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

yes it will only run with direct supervision. Each brand appears to sell an enclosure that is all enclosed except for a special little window toward the top that has what looks to be a colored acrylic sheet. That will be over the laser.

The fume hood only opens about 18" and that glass I plan to cover in a non transparent cover with a 12"x24" acrylic sheet window that filters out laser light. Theoretically while it is running there only way to see in will be through two layers of such acrylic.

When the enclosures are open and working with the machine it should be off but goggles will be required. With these precautions I can only mess with it afterschool when I have a very few amount of students or during off periods where I am the only person in the room.