One Universe at a Time

In my introductory physics courses, I occasionally implement what I call “high stakes labs.” Take a set of measurements for a devices such as a ball launcher, use those results and your knowledge of physics to predict an outcome (such as where the ball will land) and then test your prediction. The catch is that the grade for the lab depends upon the accuracy of your prediction. It is stressful and challenging, but it demonstrates a common aspect of science and engineering. You can’t simply look up the answer in the book. You have to test your ideas in the real world.