Models in Technology and Science by Bernie Zubrowski.
A set of tops made from plastic plates and dowels are first launched with a special rubber band device as well as a mixer. A systematic inquiry is then carried out to determine what characteristics of the tops affect how long they spin. A similar process is carried out with yo-yos made from the same materials. These explorations provide the experiential context for introducing the concepts of rotational motion, torque, rotational inertia, potential and kinetic energy.
