Robert Carlton

carltonr@physics.mtsu.edu

Robert Carlton

Physics & Astronomy

Master Classroom

WPS 212

New Technology

N/A

Increasing enrollments in our astronomy lab (from 10 to 200) have changed the ways we provide that lab. To enhance that experience we plan to add several computer simulation experiments to complement the exercises developed and written by our astronomers. Excellent software is available that enables the user to “participate” in many of the processes and much of the critical thinking that occurs on site in an observatory. We have obtained funds to reconfigure an existing physics space for astronomy AND electronics, to make our space utilization maximally efficient. We are requesting TAF funds to make this a master classroom space. We already have 7 computers coming to this space from the electronics lab and need five (5) more to give the full complement of twelve (12) needed in both courses. The numbers involved will be approximately 200 (astronomy) and 24 (electronics) per week, each semester. The room will also be used for student presentations of physics projects on occasion, if not in use for labs.