Transformation of the Physics and Astronomy courses D. Beznosko et al.
Innovations in teaching of the Physics and Astronomy laboratories D. Beznosko at al.
The article describes the development, design, and upcoming construction and deployment of core modules of DUCK (Detector system of Unusual Cosmic-ray casKades), a cosmic-rays detector system aimed to verify and further study the latest advances in the cosmic-rays field and participate in the international collaborations searching for new types of events. The primary scientific goal for the DUCK project will be an independent verification of the detection of ‘unusual’ cosmic ray events by the Horizon-T detector system. A detailed study of events of this type is a vital step towards understanding the nature of cosmic rays, their origins, and details of interaction with the nuclei in the atmosphere. Further operations as part of the CREDO collaboration will contribute to the continued monitoring of the cosmic events. Additional intellectual value includes the design of the fast detection system with high timing resolution for cosmic events detection and the study of the temporal structure of extensive air showers that would also contribute to the current simulations. All the steps are conducted with student involvement and advance excellence in providing students with real research experience and competitive knowledge.
This article describes the details of development, design, and planned construction/deployment of the DUCK (Detector system of Unusual Cosmic ray casKades). This is a scalable cosmic-rays detector system designed to measure a variety of cosmic event properties. The primary scientific goal for the DUCK project will be an independent verification of the detection of the 'unusual' cosmic ray events by the Horizon-T detector system. A detailed study of events of this type upon verification is a vital step towards understanding the nature of cosmic rays, their origins, and details of interaction with the nuclei in the atmosphere. Further operations as part of other international collaborations will contribute to the continued monitoring of the other types of cosmic events.
Nowadays, science students face multiple challenges after graduation, and teaching them useful lab skills is a step towards providing the needed support. Thus, the laboratory sections included with the introductory-level Physics I and II courses should provide a student with practical experience and initial laboratory skills that would be further honed by upper-level courses. Emerging from pandemic situation provided the opportunities for a novel approach facilitating a meaningful lab experience to students. This article lists the updated experiments and the innovative methodology that was introduced with the use of the open-source tracker software (https://physlets.org/tracker/). The new methodology has not only expanded the number of possible lab experiments, but provided students with the ability to conduct some of the simple experiments at home using common household items, thus offering both the exciting experience for students and serves as a backup option for lab sessions in case of future restrictions on students' attendance at lab facilities. Additionally, the labs are designed as a progression that introduces additional skills to students such as the use of software for simple analysis, error propagation, creating presentations and more.
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