The design, enactment, and impact of an inquiry-based undergraduate astronomy laboratory learning environment

This study investigated the design, enactment, and impact of an undergraduate, inquiry-based astronomy laboratory learning environment. The professor, Richard, adopted laboratory materials from the Center for Astronomy and Physics Education Research [CAPER] which were described by the group as inquiry-based. Students worked through these laboratory materials under the supervision of teaching assistants [TAs], and Richard led weekly TA meetings to monitor and instruct the TAs on his expectations. This study suggests that Richard was unsure of laboratory materials\u27 learning goals and had received limited guidance on how to use and implement CAPER\u27s materials. TAs also received limited guidance on how to interact with their students while they worked through the laboratory materials. TAs gave introductions during laboratory sessions that were similar to Richard\u27s introductions given during weekly TA meetings. Data from this study suggests that most students were able to easily complete the laboratory materials without the assistance of their TA. When students did ask questions, questions were focused on obtaining the correct answer which TAs normally supplied though direct responses or questioning. This laboratory learning environment was found to have no impact on students\u27 understanding of the nature of scientific inquiry, as measured by VOSI, which contradicts previous research findings associated with the materials. I suggest that professors should be cautious when adopting curriculum materials. Curriculum designers should provide information related to the design of their materials, the learning goals of those materials, sample student responses, and effective implementation strategie

Studying the effects of in-vehicle information systems on driver visual behaviour – implications for design

In-vehicle information systems (IVIS) are a common feature in modern vehicles. The interaction of drivers with IVIS when driving must be considered to minimise distraction whilst maintaining the benefits provided. This research investigates the glance behaviours of drivers, assessed from video data, when using two functions – a personal navigation device (study 1) and a green driving advisory device (study 2). The main focus was to establish the number of glances of 2 seconds or more to the IVIS and relate this to driver safety (as stipulated in new guidelines for use of IVIS proposed by NHTSA). In study 1, the percentage of eyes- off-road time for drivers was much greater in the experimental (with device) condition compared to the baseline condition (14.3% compared to 6.7%) but, whilst glances to the personal navigation device accounted for the majority of the increase, there were very few which exceeded 2 seconds. Drivers in study 2 spent on average 4.3% of their time looking at the system, at an average of 0.43 seconds per glance; no glances exceeded 2 seconds. The research showed that ordinary use of IVIS (excluding manual interaction) does not lead to driver visual distraction and therefore the impact on safety is minimal. The results of the study have important design implications for future in-vehicle information systems

Kinematics of Clustering

The dynamical system for inertial particles in fluid flow has both attracting and repelling regions, the interplay of which can localize particles. In laminar flow experiments we find that particles, initially moving throughout the fluid domain, can undergo an instability and cluster into subdomains of the fluid when the flow Reynolds number exceeds a critical value that depends on particle and fluid inertia. We derive an expression for the instability boundary and for a universal curve that describes the clustering rate for all particles.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figure

The sacrifice of space: transgressive tactics for micro-apartments

The following Capstone Project is an architectural thesis on today’s prevalence of microapartments. After identifying a contention, the project created a design solution in an attempt to mitigate the problem. The result was a semester of research, as well as a semester of design iteration. This was represented in multiple ways, such as through drawings, models, and books. With the help of a primary advisor, in addition to a committee, the thesis was developed through a series of presentations and meetings. The following is a culmination of that effort, resulting in over one hundred pages of work in architectural education

NDBC Ocean Wave Observation System Update

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) is modifying its ocean wave observation system due to parts obsolescence. The modified system is named Ocean Wave Linux (OWL). OWL will replace the NDBC’s older and now obsolete Digital Directional Wave Module (DDWM). Once OWL completes operational verification, the DDWM will be phased out of the NDBC’s operational weather buoy network