Students often have difficulty grasping the reality of what is being discussed in introductory courses in mechanics. For some students, especially those who are struggling, physical reality becomes mired in seemingly endless equations and the apparent mish-mash of theory and practical application. This should be prevented if at all possible, as mechanics is the first course in which students can participate in designs that include material type and geometry in a realistic way. One essential method of convincing students of the importance and truth of what you are teaching is to actually show them that truth up close. Student feedback gathered during and after the semester consistently reinforces the effectiveness of hands-on demonstrations in driving home key points in mechanics.
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