Physics Education Researchand the

Intermediate Physics Laboratory

Dr. Steven C. Sahyun

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressorare needed to see this picture.UWW Science AllianceNovember 3, 2006

Physics Education Research

Physics Education Research involves a coordination between Researching Student Learning, providing Curriculum Development, and enhancing and modifying Instruction.

ResearchResearch

InstructionInstructionCurriculum

DevelopmentCurriculum

Development

LearningModels

LearningModels

“McDermott wheel”

Physics 221: Intermediate LabThe Learning Model for this course is context development via project oriented goals. Students complete laboratory modules that prepare them for a laboratory based project that is performed and presented at the Synchrotron Radiation Center (SRC).

Each of the two-week modules represents an aspect of the experiments at the SRC. Lab Station 1:Electron properties Helmholtz coil field mapping. e/m ratio Millikan Oil Drop

Lab Station 2: Magnetism

Magnetic dipole moment and torque experiments

Lab Station 3: Computer Interfacing.

Data generation and analysis withLabVIEW

Lab Station 4:Material Properties. Mars Rover Spectra (APXS) Scanning Tunneling Microscope Visible Spectra

Three-week Hands-on and remote experiment project at the Synchrotron Radiation Center National Laboratory

SRC Field Trip

SRC Field Trip

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SRC Field Trip and ExperimentPix at src

SRC Poster PresentationStudents spend three weeks collecting, analyzing, and preparing their data for a poster presentation. The students present their posters to interested SRC staff during a second field trip to the SRC facility at the end of the project.

ResearchSurveys -

• MPEX (Physics Expectations)

• SRC impressions survey

• Quantitative ability survey (under development)

ResearchResearch

InstructionInstructionCurriculumDevelopmentCurriculumDevelopment

LearningModels

LearningModels

SRC MPEX Cluster Results

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Total PreTotal Post

Independence PreIndependence Post

Coherence PreCoherence PostConcept PreConcept Post

Reality PreReality PostMath PreMath PostEffort PreEffort Post

MPEX Cluster

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Agree w/ exprt.Disagree w/ exprt.

SRC MPEX Cluster Results

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Reality PreReality PostMath PreMath PostEffort PreEffort Post

MPEX Cluster

Percent

Agree w/ exprt.Disagree w/ exprt.

Curriculum Development

Improving access and opportunities through equipment access and greater skill building.

Example:

National Instruments LabVIEW grant.

ResearchResearch

InstructionInstructionCurriculumDevelopmentCurriculumDevelopment

LearningModels

LearningModels

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LabVIEW is a computer programming and interface system widely used in research and industry to gather and analyze data and to control equipment.

UWW Students working with LabVIEW

Future DevelopmentsThe three “I”s for our students:

• Involve students - providing opportunities for internships, field studies, or other summer experiences.

• Improve resources - equipment donations and development opportunities.(Cody Kreischer, NI,Alan Stanford, and Mel Sahyun)

• Implementation of resources across advanced laboratory courses.