Manfred Euler

Hooke's law and material science projects: exploring energy and entropy springs

A low-cost computer-based tensile testing apparatus is described that allows a graphical display of force–extension curves during the stretching of specimens in real time. The experiment is based on a graphics tablet combined with a force sensor. It can be used in a material science laboratory to investigate elastic and plastic deformations in different materials and to model the underlying molecular mechanisms. Measurements on wires, rubber bands and spider silk are discussed in terms of energy and entropy spring models of elastic forces. Entropy springs play an important role in soft matter and underlie the intriguing mechanical properties of many biological materials.

Hands‐On Earth Rotation

A Foucault pendulum equipped with a low-cost computer interface is described. It allows one to measure the precession rate of the plane of oscillation due to Earth rotation within a few minutes. A graphic interface (PC tablet) serves as a frictionless two-dimensional position sensor. By using standard software tools it is possible to record the position of the pendulum up to 50 samples/s. Although the sensor provides only rather coarse-grained data, the method is remarkably precise due to statistical analysis of the data.

Near-Field Imaging with Sound: An Acoustic STM Model.

The invention of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) 30 years ago opened up a visual window to the nano-world and sparked off a bunch of new methods for investigating and controlling matter and its transformations at the atomic and molecular level.1 However, an adequate theoretical understanding of the method is demanding; STM images can be considered quantum theory condensed into a pictorial representation. A hands-on model is presented for demonstrating the imaging principles in introductory teaching. It uses sound waves and computer visualization to create mappings of acoustic resonators. The macroscopic simile is made possible by quantum-classical analogies between matter and sound waves. Grounding STM in acoustic experience may help to make the underlying quantum concepts such as tunneling less abstract to students.

Hands-on Synchronization: An Adaptive Clockwork Universe

Clockworks are considered as the paradigm of regularity and predictability. The term “clockwork universe” is normally used in a negative way to show the limitations of this mechanistic metaphor to account for change, evolution, and complex adaptive behavior. However, there is more to such mechanisms than one naively anticipates. We present a series of experiments that demonstrate the surprising properties of mechanical clocks. In a suitable environment, they can develop coherent behavior via self-organization. The experiments offer an intriguing potential to develop conceptual insights into adaptive processes that extend from the material realm to the workings of our brains.

Inquiry-Based Mathematics and Science Education Across Europe: A Synopsis of Various Approaches and Their Potentials

On the level of European education policy, inquiry-based teaching and learning is met with high expectations to raise the standards of mathematical and scientific literacy. It is considered the method of choice to increase students’ interest as well as their achievement. Even though inquiry-based learning (IBL) is widely accepted as a means of improving education, there is still no common understanding that connects the various approaches. This chapter gives an overview of numerous IBL conceptions. In order to study the potentials and challenges of implementing IBL on a European scale, an empirically based overview of the existing situation in selected European countries is presented. It is based on data from the PRIMAS baseline study which investigates the issues of intensifying IBL from the perspective of mathematics and science teachers. The baseline data are analysed with respect to subject-specific effects and differences in the various teaching cultures across Europe. Additionally, findings from the COMPASS project are discussed that demonstrate the challenges of renewing pedagogy in actual teaching practice.

The sounds of nanoscience: acoustic STM analogues

A hands-on model of scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) is presented. It uses near-field imaging with sound and computer assisted visualization to create acoustic mappings of resonator arrangements. Due to the (partial) analogy of matter and sound waves the images closely resemble STM scans of atoms. Moreover, the method can be extended to build an acoustic analogue of a quantum corral. The acoustic models foster reflections about the nature of STM images and elucidate the productive tension of imaging and imagining matter at the nanoscale.

Photonics Explorer: revolutionizing photonics in the classroom

The ‘Photonics Explorer’ is a unique intra-curricular optics kit designed to engage, excite and educate secondary school students about the fascination of working with light – hands-on, in their own classrooms. Developed with a pan European collaboration of experts, the kit equips teachers with class sets of experimental material provided within a supporting didactic framework, distributed in conjunction with teacher training courses. The material has been specifically designed to integrate into European science curricula. Each kit contains robust and versatile components sufficient for a class of 25-30 students to work in groups of 2-3. The didactic content is based on guided inquiry-based learning (IBL) techniques with a strong emphasis on hands-on experiments, team work and relating abstract concepts to real world applications. The content has been developed in conjunction with over 30 teachers and experts in pedagogy to ensure high quality and ease of integration. It is currently available in 7 European languages. The Photonics Explorer allows students not only to hone their essential scientific skills but also to really work as scientists and engineers in the classroom. Thus, it aims to encourage more young people to pursue scientific careers and avert the imminent lack of scientific workforce in Europe. 50 Photonics Explorer kits have been successfully tested in 7 European countries with over 1500 secondary school students. The positive impact of the kit in the classroom has been qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated. A non-profit organisation, EYESTvzw [Excite Youth for Engineering Science and Technology], is responsible for the large scale distribution of the Photonics Explorer.

Hands-on force spectroscopy: weird springs and protein folding

A force spectroscopy model experiment is presented using a low-cost tensile apparatus described earlier. Force–extension measurements of twisted rubber bands are obtained. They exhibit a complex nonlinear elastic behaviour that resembles atomic force spectroscopy investigations of molecules of titin, a muscle protein. The model experiments open up intriguing possibilities to stimulate insight into entropy-driven self-organization of soft biological matter at the nanometre scale and into protein folding by hands-on experience and analogical transfer.

Hands-on resonance-enhanced photoacoustic detection

The design of an improved photoacoustic converter cell using kitchen equipment is described. It operates by changing manually the Helmholtz resonance frequency of bottles by adjusting the distance between the bottleneck and the outer ear. The experiment helps to gain insights in ear performance, in photoacoustic detection methods, in resonance phenomena and their role for detecting small periodic signals in the presence of noise.

Scientific evaluation of an intra-curricular educational kit to foster inquiry-based learning (IBL)

Society becomes increasingly dependent on photonics technologies; however there is an alarming lack of technological awareness among secondary school students. They associate photonics with experiments and components in the class room that seem to bear little relevance to their daily life. The Rocard Report [5] highlights the need for fostering students’ scientific skills and technological awareness and identifies inquiry based learning (IBL) as a means to achieve this. Students need to actively do science rather than be silent spectators. The ‘Photonics Explorer’ kit was developed as an EU funded project to equip teachers, free-of-charge, with educational material designed to excite, engage and educate European secondary school students using guided inquiry based learning techniques. Students put together their own experiments using up-to-date versatile components, critically interpret results and relate the conclusions to relevant applications in their daily life. They work hands-on with the material, thus developing and honing their scientific and analytical skills that are otherwise latent in a typical class room situation. A qualitative and quantitative study of the impact of the kit in the classroom was undertaken with 50 kits tested in 7 EU countries with over 1500 students in the local language. This paper reports on the results of the EU wide field tests that show the positive impact of the kit in raising the self-efficacy, scientific skills and interest in science among students and the effectiveness of the kit in implementing IBL strategies in classrooms across EU.