In-lecture experiments to promote active learning of mechanics concepts and applications
John Zettel, HHNS
Project Summary:
Demonstrations are effective for engaging students and enhancing learning, particularly in building a conceptual understanding of mechanics. This grant provides equipment for experimental type demonstrations, and extends this to computer based analysis of the data by students to explore mechanical laws. This analysis has further benefit to numeracy, computer based analysis, statistics and modeling, and the scientific method. These experiments will be done in an introductory physics course, as well as in a follow up course of understanding human movement biomechanics in kinesiology.