Connecting Physics and Engineering through a Modernization of the Advanced Laboratory Curriculum (CPE-MALC)

通过高级实验室课程的现代化将物理和工程学的主题、实验和方法联系起来，对于激发学生的兴趣和满足STEM工作场所的国家需求具有重要作用。我们目前的劳动力环境是一个前所未有的挑战和机遇，要求创新和领导技能。当前的STEM学生必须具有前瞻性的思维和社区导向，以应对重大挑战并利用多样化的机会。这一芝加哥州立大学(CSU)项目的重点是建立在传统观点的基础上，包括现代观点来处理科学和工程应用，以激励能够应对本地和全球挑战的学生。该项目将导致物理和工程专业学生的高级实验室课程完全现代化。该项目将取得的成果包括：1)概述现代化的CSU应用物理/工程实验室的课程计划，包括现代设备、应用程序和新的实验学习实验室模块；2)建立一个学生学习社区，通过使用学习助理计划纳入学生的意见，为教学修订提供信息；以及3)提供外展机会，通过在当地高中利用学生开发的模块来提高STEM的兴趣。在项目的第一阶段，我们将设计包括互动技术、现代研究技术、评估材料和教案的模块，利用学生通过焦点小组的意见和由大学教师和行业代表组成的外部顾问委员会的专家意见。该计划的第二阶段将侧重于评估这一课程的有效性，并将该项目传播到不同的机构。具体地说，该项目将增加关于高级实验室课程的现代化如何提高学生沟通技能、实验分析技能、内容理解以及对实验和实验的态度和期望的少量但不断增长的研究主体。

Connecting topics, experiments and methods in physics and engineering through the modernization of the advanced laboratory curriculum plays a significant role in motivating student interest and addressing the national needs in the STEM workplace. Our current workforce environment is one of unprecedented challenges and opportunities, demanding innovation and leadership skills. Current STEM students must be forward thinking and community orientated in order to solve grand challenges and take advantages of diverse opportunities. This Chicago State University (CSU) project focuses on building on traditional perspectives to include modern perspectives to address science and engineering applications to inspire students who can address local and global challenges.This project will lead to a complete modernization of the advanced laboratory curriculum for physics and engineering students. The project will have outcomes that include: 1) Outlining a curriculum plan for the modernization CSU's applied physics/engineering laboratory with the inclusion of modern equipment, applications, and new experimental Learning Lab modules, 2) Establishing a student learning community that will inform instructional revisions by incorporating student input through the use the Learning Assistant Program, and 3) Providing outreach opportunities for increasing STEM interest by utilizing the student-developed modules at local high schools. In the first phase of the project, we will design modules that will include interactive technology, modern research techniques, assessment materials, and lesson plans leveraging student input through focus groups and expert input from an external advisory board consisting of university faculty and industry representatives. The second phase of the program will focus on assessing the effectiveness of this curriculum and dissemination of the project to diverse institutions. Specifically, the project will add to the small but growing body of research on how a modernization of the advanced lab curriculum can enhance student communication skills, experimental analysis skills, content understanding, and attitudes and expectations toward experiments and experimentation.