The Principal Investigator will redesign the undergraduate Physics laboratory curriculum at Cuyamaca College to increase the retention of underrepresented students (Native Americans, Blacks, Hispanics and women) in its Engineering Program. The Principal Investigator will institute a combination of the nationally recognized microcomputer-based laboratory curriculum and incorporate modern instrumentation and laboratory equipment. Specific curricular changes will be made in the areas of kinematics, dynamics and thermodynamics. In conjunction with the redesigned curriculum, the Principal Investigator will implement learning communities into the Physics laboratory experience. Advanced Engineering students will work with at-risk, underrepresented students to develop collaborative learning, teamwork and group problem-solving skills.
