Wolverhampton City Learning Centre (CLC)

While searching for some resources to support a forthcoming session at the CLC, I came across Phun (http://www.phunland.com/wiki/Home). Phun is a fascinating tool for playing with the physics of objects. You can draw simple shapes, alter their physical principles (density, friction etc.) and manipulate them - throw or push them around, or collide them with one another.

Within a few minutes of using it, I had used it to set up a simple scenario that demonstrated some of the basic principles of air resistance acting on falling objects.

You can also add chains, motors and hinges to create complex machines. There are a large number of simulations created by users of Phun at http://www.phunbox.net, including cars, rollercoasters and rockets.

Phun is free and available to download for both Windows and Mac OS X.

Here’s a great YouTube video of Phun in use on an Interactive Whiteboard, shared by Rich White (http://roots.greenbush.us)