Development of the Introductory Physics Laboratory for Non- Science Students

这个项目正在创造一个实验室环境，让非理科学生可以主动和独立地收集、绘制和分析广泛的物理系统中的数据。其目的是灌输即使在最基本的水平上也应该存在于物理实验室研究中的兴奋和内在兴趣，同时使入门实验室体验更准确地反映现代世界的科学本质。实验室的设计必须足够灵活，以适应数学技能有限且没有实验室经验的学生，同时允许在分配的实验室时间内完成实验。正在通过为入门实验室配备足够数量的计算机来实现这些目标，以便每两名学生一组拥有一台计算机。通过适当的接口和传感器，计算机被用来简化数据的获取和分析，并极大地扩大了非理科专业学生可以研究的物理现象的数量和类型。计算机的数据记录和快速数据分析允许学生在实验室的大部分时间里思考他们正在测量的东西，并尝试实验的不同形式。数据的快速和多样的图形表示允许高水平的分析，介绍性实验室成为它应该是的积极和有启发性的经历。该学院正在用等额的资金来匹配这一奖项。

This project is creating a laboratory environment where non- science students can actively and independently collect, graph and analyze data over a wide range of physical systems. The goal is to instill the excitement and intrinsic interest that should be present in the laboratory study of physics even at the most basic level, while at the same time to make the introductory laboratory experience more accurately reflect the nature of science in the modern world. The laboratory design must be flexible enough to accomodate students with limited mathematical skills and no laboratory experience while allowing for completion of the experiments with the allotted lab period. These aims are being achieved by equipping the introductory laboratory with computers in sufficient numbers that there is one for each group of two students. The computers are being used, with appropriate interfaces and sensors, to simplify data taking and analysis as well as greatly expanding the number and type of physical phenomena that may be studied by non-science majors. The data logging and rapid data analysis of the computers allow the students to use most of the lab period to think about what they are measuring and to try variations of the experiment. The rapid and varied graphical presentation of data allows for a high level of analysis and the introductory laboratory becomes the positive and enlightening experience that it should be. The college is matching the award with an equal amount of funds.