Dr. Paul Bartlett Physics and Astronomy Working towards the Connected Curriculum: Laboratory Challenges and Opportunities in Physics Dr. Paul Bartlett Physics and Astronomy

What will be discussed What we have done in the 1st Year teaching labs in the past How students are changing Examples of how we are breaking the distinction between the Teaching and Research labs How students are contributing to each other’s training and research efforts How this is reflected in changes to what we can supply as a training package

Traditional Physics Laboratory ‘Training’ 1st Yr Labs 2nd Yr Labs 3rd Yr Labs Group project Final Year Project MSci BSc Traditional laboratory-based training over 3/4 years Industrial Group Project in the 3rd year 4th Year research project (for MSci students) ‘Laboratory’ work tailored to sub-specialisation

What students want Since £9k fees were introduced, some students seem to want to get much more out of their time at UCL. They now approach laboratory teaching staff in regarding ‘research opportunities’ (even 1st years). As the 1st Year laboratory co-ordinator, I can help to direct students to researchers and their groups. Teaching lab staff know the students concerned…

What we did and what we are doing in the Teaching Laboratories In the past, it was thought that 3rd years+ would be the only ones that could contribute to research efforts. Few (none?) seemed to actively pursue this. I now have a process to help some students to gain the experience they desire. Even 1st year students.

Three examples of students that want to get involved Dear Paul I would love to work on that project. I would like to start working on Tuesday the 4th of June. Is there any literature I should read in advance so I could work on a project more efficiently? (2013) Hi Paul, just reminding you to speak to Prof. Renzoni about getting some summer work experience with him. Thanks again for all your help. (2014) Teaching Labs seen as a ‘gateway’ to other academics Dear Paul, I would like to enquire about the possibility of a summer project, paid or unpaid from the middle of June to the beginning of August. If there is no option of a project this summer with you, would you know anyone else that would be happy to support such a project (2015)

Example Projects coming next… These show how 4th Year researchers Group Project teams Volunteer researcher students Research Groups Can be integrated to blur the borders between the Teaching Labs and Research Labs Which is desired by UCL under the Connected Curriculum initiative

Project 1: All Optical Material Characterisation http://www.appliedspectra.com/technology/LIBS.html 2.5 Year programme thus far ‘Zap materials with lasers and analyse the hot plume with another laser’ Research Team: Academic Staff PhD Research Students Volunteer Researchers 4th Year MSci project students Industrial Liaison Facilitators: Teaching Laboratory Staff System initially developed by 1st year volunteer students

Integrated Programme Process Traditional project students Volunteer Students Step 1: Obtain support of Academic Researcher (Prof. F Renzoni) Step 2: 1st Year volunteer researchers create the experimental system Step 3: External Industrial Partner is attracted to support the work Step 4: 4th Year research project student Works to gain initial data Step 5: 2nd Year volunteer researchers investigate improving data acquisition Step 6: Next 4th Year research student extends the work Enrichment: The volunteer students link their studies with their research work and interact with industry

Extra outcomes for students The first set of 1st yr students returned in their 2nd year. They worked in the same Group in this 2nd summer and earned a paper from their efforts. It seems that the enhanced experience is allowing them to operate beyond what was previously expected of 1st/2nd year students. They became integrated into the research ‘team’…

Project(s) 2: Magnetic Imaging 4 Year programme thus far ‘Use magnetic fields to image and characterise materials’. Research Team: Academic Staff PhD Research Students Volunteer Researchers 3rd year Industrial Group Project students Industrial Liaison Facilitators: Teaching Laboratory Staff

Project(s) 2: Magnetic Imaging (Peer Support) 3.5 Year programme(s) thus far Step 1: Obtain support of Academic Researcher (Prof. F Renzoni) Step 2: External Industrial Partner is attracted to support the work Step 3: Create Industrial Group Project Step 4: 3rd year volunteer researcher extends the project Step 5: Create new Industrial Group Project Step 6: Old 3rd year volunteer researcher supports new team Step 7: New 3rd year volunteer extends the project further Step 8: Work from the project(s) students feeds into research programme

Non-metallic magnetic imaging scanning system (pan-year student interaction example) Physical system and software Developed by volunteer summer student Scanner redeveloped by following 3rd Year Group project team Research volunteer acted as a ‘consultant’ for the following project team (when in 4th Year).

Traditional Physics Laboratory ‘Training’ 2008 1st Yr Labs 2nd Yr Labs 3rd Yr Labs Group project Final Year Project MSci BSc This is the only training model that we used to have…

Traditional Physics Laboratory ‘Training’ 2015 Teaching Labs Interface BSc MSci 1st Yr Labs 2nd Yr Labs 3rd Yr Labs Final Year Project Industrial Group project Research Volunteer PhD Research Projects Industrial Sponsors Limitation: Not all students can take part in volunteer process.

Typical response from a Student Volunteer

That is all! Any questions?