[IROC]

It seems like the method of teaching in the OP is very good. We always had labs in HS and college physics. Real-world applications of somewhat abstract subjects like physics are a must, IMHO. Students are going to better retain rectilinear particle motion if they can launch balls at different angles and initial velocities and measure the travel than simply grinding out the calculations.

I actually had to design a test setup once to test missile kill vehicle ejector assemblies and it all basically came down to a simply physics experiment.

Phun stuff.