Laboratory Arrangment in a New Perspective

Abstract

Laboratory experience and the theoretical aspects of physics must merge for a complete and thorough introductory physics program. A new approach to the laboratory experience has been under study and development during the past five years at Orlando Junior College, a private institution with a physics (1966–1967) enrollment of 105 students from a student body of 2361. Obvious trademarks of this laboratory are a diversity of interests, educational excellence, and economy. Thirty permanent experimental stations, seventy other experiments on open shelving, total blackout booths for optics, a single-concept film booth, a director's office in the laboratory, and an adjoining small class or seminar room show the efficiency of this plan. A description of the organization and attractiveness of the laboratory as well as its unique utilization of wall, ceiling, and floor space is given in this paper.