Modular Introductory Physics Laboratories using Active Engagement

Faculty at the University of Mount Union over the past decade have developed a modular introductory physics laboratory curriculum that applies activity-based pedagogies. During the weekly laboratory rather than focus on a singular topic, students work on four tasks: a set of concept questions and three different experiments. This allows for a larger number of topics to be covered while only requiring one setup of a given experiment. The focus and outcomes of each experiment can be varied to tune the student learning experience or the desired learning outcomes. Post-lab, students complete a short writing assignment answering specific questions related to their experience to put into their own words the concepts, experimental process or extensions to other ideas. The Force Concept Inventory (FCI) Brief Electricity and Magnetism Assessment (BEMA) pre- and post-test are used to measure the success of student learning and to influence the fine tuning of the next experience. This poster will provide examples of experiments demonstrating the variety of content that can be covered in a given laboratory period including using small computer fans to teach simple circuits.