Photon PBL Challenges
PHOTON PBL (Problem-Based Learning)
A Photonics Curriculum and Professional Development Project
funded by the Advanced Technology Education program of the National Science Foundation
Problem Based Learning (PBL) is an educational method that engages students in inquiry based "real world" problem solving. It has been used extensively in medical education since the early 1970s. While already adopted in
other fields including business, law and education, it is only beginning to emerge in engineering and technology education as an alternative to the traditional lecture-based approach. The project's goal is to create teaching materials using this student-centered problem-solving method to teach photonics and optics. For further information and additional photonics instructional materials, contact Fenna Hanes.
A video illustrating the use of the PHOTON PBL Challenges is available on YouTube.
Challenges
- Blinded by the Light - What dangers does a pilot face when an aircraft is targeted by a laser pointer?
- Stripping with Light, fantastic! - PhotoMachining, Inc. needs to develop a process for stripping the coating from 50 micron wire
- DNA Microarray Fabrication - Boston University graduate students need to determine the best starting exposure time for a DNA microarry fabricator
- High Power Laser Burn-In Test - IPG Photonics needs a way to run 100-hour unattended burn-in tests on a 2-kw laser.
- Shining Light on Infant Jaundice - Partners Photodigm, Drexel and SMU ask, "Can technology provide a safe and effective portable home treatment for newborn jaundice?"
- Watt's my Light? - The package says a 26 watt fluorescent has the same light output as a 100 watt incandescent. Can Cal Poly Pomona students verify this statement?
- Of Mice and Penn - Can optics provide a non-contact measurement method as part of a UPenn McKay Orthopaedic Research Lab project to study the healing of tendons?
- Hiking 911 - Two boys are lost in deep woods in rough terrain. Penn State Electro Optics Center (EOC) needs to recommend the best technology to locate them.