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Re: Breaking sticks or spaghetti

While the totality of the 'Research Experience' can be, should be, and
usually is EXCITING, the experimental process itself often involves long,
boring sessions of data collection (I'm sure I don't have to elaborate for
most on this list). It is, in my opinion, wrong to hide that fact from
students.

My contribution to such student awareness is a simple experiment where
students must read thermometers every minute or two for a WHOLE
HOUR---BOOORING!
Of course the analysis of these data is more challenging and exciting, but
during data collection I make it a point to talk about the nature of many
scientific experiments.

Rick

-----Original Message-----
From: Sam Sampere <sampere@SUHEP.PHY.SYR.EDU>


Herb,

You hit the nail on the head!!!! Experiments should not be boring! If
they are, it was designed WRONG!!!! The expermiment should be designed at
the edge of student understanding, challenging their views. How can that
be boring??? When I was at Bell Labs, I was never bored.

Sam


--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sam Sampere
Syracuse University
Department of Physics
Syracuse (Where all the snow is..), NY 13244



On Fri, 30 Jan 1998, Herbert H. Gottlieb wrote:


On Fri, 30 Jan 1998 11:47:30 -0500 (EST) Sam Sampere
<sampere@suhep.phy.syr.edu> writes:
Don't you think taking a timed physics test does more to inspire young
minds than doing experiments??

Please elaborate.

A challenging timed physics test with great prizes or other awards is
much more inspiring to young minds than tedious, boring experiments.

Herb Gottlieb from New York City
(Where none of our physics experiments are ever tedious or boring)

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