9452536 Ferguson The Franklin Institute of Boston will improve its Physics Laboratory by the purchase of equipment that, together with already existing computers, will enable enhanced data acquisition and analysis, the further integration of major physics topics, and the reinforcement of similarities in physical phenomena. The instrumentation consists primarily of sensors, peripherals, and transducers. This equipment, together with the addition of dynamics, optics, microwave and e/m systems will facilitate the collection, storage and manipulation of data. A single experimental platform selected from the above-described equipment, such as a sonometer studying wave behavior, when teamed up with the ability to change experimental results through the use of power amplifiers, digital function generators, driver/detector coils and sensors, will result in a more integrated approach to physics instruction. The physical phenomena of wave behavior described above will then be studied in optics, microwaves and atomic structure, reinforcing the similarities, through the utilization of the appropriate systems. The proposed laboratory improvement is highly significant to Franklin, as a two-year technical college serving a predominantly economically-disadvantaged urban population. Without full exposure to the state-of-the-art data analysis methods currently utilized by private sector industry, the Institute's students, the majority of whom will be entering the work force upon graduation, will not have adequate professional training in this vital area. In addition, these students, and those who elect to continue their education at four-year institutions, will gain a more thorough knowledge of the general theory through a laboratory which offers the best possible integration and reinforcement of major physical principles and phenomena.
