Implementing VPythonImplementing VPython

Martin S. MasonMartin S. Mason

Mt. San Antonio CollegeMt. San Antonio College

Engineering Physics Engineering Physics CourseCourse Integrated Lecture/Lab course. Integrated Lecture/Lab course.

(Workshop Style)(Workshop Style) Course meets three times a week for Course meets three times a week for

2.75 hours or twice a week for 4 hours. 2.75 hours or twice a week for 4 hours. Co-Requisite of Calc2 and Pre-Co-Requisite of Calc2 and Pre-

Requisite of Trig based PhysicsRequisite of Trig based Physics Majority of Students are UC Bound in Majority of Students are UC Bound in

Engineering and ScienceEngineering and Science

Course Evaluation:Course Evaluation:

3 Midterms (30%)3 Midterms (30%) Comprehensive Final (15%)Comprehensive Final (15%) 3 Projects (30%)3 Projects (30%) Weekly Quizzes (5%)Weekly Quizzes (5%) Daily Homework (Mastering Daily Homework (Mastering

Physics) (10%)Physics) (10%) Laboratory Documentation (10%)Laboratory Documentation (10%)

Organization of Typical Organization of Typical DayDay QOD (Question of the Day)QOD (Question of the Day)

– An activity designed to elicit students pre-An activity designed to elicit students pre-conceptions about a particular topic.conceptions about a particular topic.

Discussion of Pre-Lab WorkDiscussion of Pre-Lab Work Laboratory ActivityLaboratory Activity Post Discussion of Laboratory Activity Post Discussion of Laboratory Activity

(Includes Problem Solving)(Includes Problem Solving) Integrate outcomes of Laboratory Integrate outcomes of Laboratory

Activity into Project Activity into Project

Computational LabsComputational Labs

Can do computational modeling Can do computational modeling as individual lab activities. as individual lab activities.

Emphasis on students DOING Emphasis on students DOING programming instead of working programming instead of working with simulations. with simulations.

Integrate computational labs with Integrate computational labs with Traditional LabsTraditional Labs

Use of Computational Use of Computational LabsLabs

Week 1 Intro to Vpython (Vectors)

Week 2 Fancart (1D accelerated motion) -> non-constant acceleration

Week 3 Gravitational Force

Week 6-7 Spaceship voyage

Week 12-13 Mass on a Spring

Week 3 Intro to Vpython (Vectors -> E&M)

Week 5 E Field of Point Charge & E Field of Dipole

Week 7 EField of Rod

Week 12 Mag Force on moving charged particle

AssessmentAssessment

Why do we assess student work?Why do we assess student work? What is the purpose of What is the purpose of

documentation?documentation? Students maintain an online blog Students maintain an online blog

about their workabout their work

ProjectsProjects

Three 5 week projects.Three 5 week projects. Six hours in class and 20-30 hours Six hours in class and 20-30 hours

outside of class.outside of class. Project is designed to require course Project is designed to require course

material from that five week period material from that five week period and before.and before.

Projects change every semester.Projects change every semester. Project is presented as a formal Project is presented as a formal

powerpoint presentation.powerpoint presentation.

Evaluation of ProjectsEvaluation of Projects

20 minute Group Presentation20 minute Group Presentation

Present PowerPoint and VPythonPresent PowerPoint and VPythonRubric

10 minute Individual Meeting10 minute Individual Meeting

Example First ProjectExample First Project

Model the behavior of a Model the behavior of a foam rocket launched foam rocket launched from an elastic launcher.from an elastic launcher.

Compare the results of Compare the results of your model to the actual your model to the actual trajectory determine trajectory determine from video analysis.from video analysis.

Competition.Competition.

Example Second Example Second ProjectProject Create a system of three lunar orbiting Create a system of three lunar orbiting

communication satellites that always communication satellites that always provide a link from the north pole of provide a link from the north pole of the moon to the earth. the moon to the earth.

Include the gravitational effects of Include the gravitational effects of both the moon and earth on the both the moon and earth on the satellites.satellites.

Show that your system is stable for 10 Show that your system is stable for 10 years.years.

Sample Final ProjectSample Final Project

A mass is placed on a low friction A mass is placed on a low friction cart attached to a spring. At what cart attached to a spring. At what amplitude will the mass on the amplitude will the mass on the cart begin to slip?cart begin to slip?

Video of SystemVideo of System Computational modelComputational model Textbook solution makes many Textbook solution makes many

simplifying assumptionssimplifying assumptions

Outcomes:Outcomes:

More students transition into summer More students transition into summer REU/Research programs.REU/Research programs.

Anecdotal reports are positive about Anecdotal reports are positive about the utility of projects after transfer.the utility of projects after transfer.

Difficult to measure impact on Difficult to measure impact on traditional assessment.traditional assessment.

Student retention was lower for first Student retention was lower for first three semester after the projects were three semester after the projects were implemented, but has climbed back implemented, but has climbed back up.up.

Project Grades vs. Project Grades vs. Exam GradesExam Grades Projects measure Projects measure

different skills different skills then exams. then exams.

Students who do Students who do well on exams do well on exams do not always do not always do well on projects well on projects and vice versa.and vice versa.

Project Rank Exam Rank

1 4

2 2

3 3

4 6

5 20

6 7

7 14

8 1

9 18

10 12

11 16

12 11

13 8

14 15

15 17

16 9

17 10

18 5

19 13

20 19