New Instrumentation for Data Acquisition, Data Analysis, Experimental Control, and Modeling in Introductory Physics Laboratories

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Bryn Mawr College has a highly successful strategy for introductory physics laboratory instruction involving a mixture of conceptual, quantitative and project-based experiments for small groups of students in a self-paced instructional format grounded in hands-on studies of macroscopic physical phenomena. Nearly 40% of the graduating students (all women) take one of three year-long courses in physics with associated laboratories or a conceptual physics course which takes advantage of the same laboratory apparatus. This program has successfully produced over the last ten years one of largest cadres of women physics majors in the nation. This project introduces computer-aided data acquisition, display, and analysis as well as experimental control into the introductory laboratories. The new capabilities afforded by such instrumentation strengthen the three-phase laboratory structure used in the program. NSF Form 1295 (10/94)