Pillar 3: Lab Skills
Strengths:
In physics labs, I apply safety principles with attention to everyone, as shown in the angled projectile launch lab by using the Nerf gun properly and making sure everyone stayed out of the projectile’s path. I operated and modified my lab equipment to optimize the quality of my data when I changed the number of books I used for the height of the ramp because the friction of the ramp would be stronger than the car which meant that it would not roll down. I efficiently set up and clean up my lab area. For example, in the time/velocity lab, I helped with taking off the tape on the floor. I consistently use measuring tools that provide me with precise and accurate data. An example of this was in the friction lab when my group had to re-do the pulling of the bricks on the scale so that we could have a more accurate answer than just with one attempt. I consistently apply critical thinking and problem-solving in labs. This was demonstrated in the minion lab where my group was forced to think of strategies to create the perfect length of bungee cord. We came up with ideas that allowed us to come up with a length that we were confident in. I efficiently and effectively follow procedures in all labs. In the Nerf lab, we were left without supervision and it was up to our group to make sure we followed the lab correctly and had good quality results.
Future Growth:
When answering questions and writing conclusions in labs, I can use more practice with communicating sources of error, results and applications. With the acceleration lab, I had difficulty identifying sources of error and differentiating them with human error. I also had trouble presenting my results with quantitative data in the earlier labs.
Goals:
My goal is to have clear and concise conclusions on labs and achieve full marks on those questions. I will strive to not lose marks on conclusions due to trouble identifying sources of error and writing too much, for the rest of this course.
End of term:
I believe that I have achieved my goal of writing better conclusions to labs. I feel more confident when writing conclusions because I have worked to cut down on repetitiveness and strive for conciseness. For example, in the pulley lab I achieved a high grade because was able to properly identify sources of error and kept the conclusion short. A challenge I had while working towards this goal was knowing how to cut uninmportant words out and simplify sentences. Something I did well on was identifying sources of error and having a detailed description. Some strategies I used were to avoid repeating details I already mentioned in a different sentence, and to introduce new information in the conclusion that wasn’t in the results. I believe that my goal is good and can be applied to many different courses. Next semester, I would like to focus on participating in class discussions in all my classes.