Computer-based Equipment Platforms in Introductory Labs for Technology Students

9452536 Ferguson波士顿富兰克林研究所将通过购买设备来改进其物理实验室，这些设备将与现有的计算机一起增强数据采集和分析，进一步整合主要物理主题，并加强物理现象的相似性。仪器仪表主要由传感器、外设和传感器组成。这种设备，加上动力学、光学、微波和电子/机械系统，将有助于数据的收集、储存和操作。从上述设备中选择一个单一的实验平台，例如研究波动行为的声纳仪，当与使用功率放大器、数字函数发生器、驱动器/检测器线圈和传感器来改变实验结果的能力相结合时，将产生更综合的物理教学方法。然后，将通过使用适当的系统，在光学、微波和原子结构中研究上述波动行为的物理现象，以加强相似性。提议的实验室改进对富兰克林来说意义重大，因为它是一所两年制的技术学院，主要服务于经济上处于不利地位的城市人口。如果没有充分接触私营部门工业目前使用的最先进的数据分析方法，研究所的学生（其中大多数将在毕业后进入劳动力市场）将不会在这一重要领域得到充分的专业训练。此外，这些学生，以及那些选择继续在四年制大学接受教育的学生，将通过实验室获得更全面的一般理论知识，这些实验室提供了最好的整合和加强主要物理原理和现象。

9452536 Ferguson The Franklin Institute of Boston will improve its Physics Laboratory by the purchase of equipment that, together with already existing computers, will enable enhanced data acquisition and analysis, the further integration of major physics topics, and the reinforcement of similarities in physical phenomena. The instrumentation consists primarily of sensors, peripherals, and transducers. This equipment, together with the addition of dynamics, optics, microwave and e/m systems will facilitate the collection, storage and manipulation of data. A single experimental platform selected from the above-described equipment, such as a sonometer studying wave behavior, when teamed up with the ability to change experimental results through the use of power amplifiers, digital function generators, driver/detector coils and sensors, will result in a more integrated approach to physics instruction. The physical phenomena of wave behavior described above will then be studied in optics, microwaves and atomic structure, reinforcing the similarities, through the utilization of the appropriate systems. The proposed laboratory improvement is highly significant to Franklin, as a two-year technical college serving a predominantly economically-disadvantaged urban population. Without full exposure to the state-of-the-art data analysis methods currently utilized by private sector industry, the Institute's students, the majority of whom will be entering the work force upon graduation, will not have adequate professional training in this vital area. In addition, these students, and those who elect to continue their education at four-year institutions, will gain a more thorough knowledge of the general theory through a laboratory which offers the best possible integration and reinforcement of major physical principles and phenomena.