Conveners
T3-6 Developing Scientific Practices in the Laboratory (DPE) | Exercice de la science en laboratoire (DEP)
- Martin Williams (University of Guelph)
Recent studies have suggested that structured laboratory activities may not be the most effective way of teaching content and concepts to first year physics majors. We examine and extend that investigation to a high-enrollment Introductory Physics for the Life Sciences course. Using a varied laboratory curriculum, we correlate quiz marks, exam marks, and student attitudinal data to determine...
Physics is an empirical science. Therefore, learning physics must include learning how to design and conduct experiments, analyze and interpret data, and revise models and apparatus. Physics lab courses at the introductory and upper-division levels are one of only a few opportunities for students to engage in these authentic physics practices. For many students, instructional labs are the only...
Undergraduate students are typically introduced to advanced optical instrumentation during their senior physics and chemistry courses. Experiments available from educational companies typically use low end optics in customized formats, beneficial for younger students eager to explore the physical and chemical phenomena under study. However, these setups prevent senior students from learning...
A common complaint from students in undergraduate physics laboratories is that they spend too much time propagating uncertainties and not enough time understanding the physics. We have worked with students at Queen's University to develop QExpy, a python package designed to facilitate undergraduate physics laboratories, while easing students into learning to program in python. The open source...
