It was successfully implemented in a very large course with 21 lab sections and 480 students in the spring of 1999. This teaching innovation was supported by grants from the National Science Foundation and the Pew Charitable Trust. These devices can be used in a variety of introductory physics lecture demonstrations and student experiments. Nine simple optical measurements will be described using an inexpensive red-beam laser pointer. Anecdotal evidence is quoted that many students in this course do get a good feel of the competition and personal rewards involved in scientific investigations.
Students are also able to find the patterns in the data with rather small input from the instructor.
Quarks, Gluons, and the Big Bang A business meeting will follow the contributed papers. Please plan to attend. Awarding of the best paper prizes.