# Design, Analysis, Tools, and Apprenticeship (DATA) Lab

## TL;DR

The paper details the redesign of physics laboratory courses to emphasize research skills and practices, focusing on experimental processes, data analysis, collaboration, and communication, with assessments aligned to these goals.

## Contribution

It introduces a large-scale course transformation that shifts focus from physics content to laboratory practices and skills, supported by structured assessments.

## Key findings

- Students improved in experimental and data analysis skills.
- Course assessments effectively measure skill development.
- Enhanced student engagement in scientific practices.

## Abstract

Recently, there have been several national calls to emphasize physics practices and skills within laboratory courses. In this paper, we describe the redesign and implementation of a two-course sequence of algebra-based physics laboratories at Michigan State University called Design Analysis Tools and Apprenticeship (DATA) Lab. The large-scale course transformation removes physics specific content from the overall learning goals of the course, and instead, uses physics concepts to focus on specific laboratory practices and research skills that students can take into their future careers. Students in DATA Lab engage in the exploration of physical systems to increase their understanding of the experimental process, data analysis, collaboration, and scientific communication. In order to ensure our students are making progress toward the skills outlined in the course learning goals, we designed all of the assessments in the courses to evaluate their progress specific to these laboratory practices. Here, we will describe the structures, scaffolds, goals, and assessments of the course.