In fall 2020, the Physics Department was tasked with coming up for a plan for optics, our one credit lab course. Because of the continued COVID-19 pandemic, our institution planned to offer a fully online fall semester, with no students residing on campus. The college announced the plan 5 weeks prior to the start of the semester. This paper will…

Describes a set of student projects, each involving about 240 hours of laboratory time, covering the following topics: wind power monitoring, wind generator design, solar power, and the heat pump. (MLH)

Discusses experience of teaching optical experiments with emphasis upon the student's design and construction of refracting and reflecting telescopes. Concludes that the student's interest and acquired knowledge are greatly enhanced through the use of realistic experiments. (CC)

Outlines the aims of practical work by students through investigations and projects. Provides a list of sources found useful as experimental guides, ideas for projects, and background information for A level Nuffield physics. (GS)

Presents the results of a survey of English physics teachers concerning the percent of classroom time they spend in practical work, the objectives of practical work, and their use of student projects. (MLH)