In this basic, qualitative research, the questions posed by fifth-grade students working in small groups to investigate pendulum motion were analyzed. Question patterns were established and categories were formed by this researcher.

As demand increases for renewable energy, it becomes especially important to develop alternative materials that will produce high-efficiency energy devices, and the semiconductor gallium nitride (GaN) may be one of those materials for dye-sensitized solar cells. As such, this work attempted to synthesize GaN nanocrystal thin films with desirable electrical properties—specifically high conductivity. To achieve this, the power supplied to the reactor was varied during GaN plasma synthesis in order to induce nitrogen vacancies in the crystal lattice. These vacancies are believed to contribute to the free electron concentration of GaN. The plasma power varied from the standard 80 W down to 60 W and 40 W. The resulting GaN powder—normally colorless—became more yellow with decreasing plasma power, indicative of defects. However, electrical conductivities were similar to that of the control sample, which implies that the desired defects (nitrogen vacancies) were not induced. Near-infrared absorption spectra did not reveal free carrier absorption, suggesting a low free electron concentration. This further supports a lack of nitrogen vacancies. Analysis of transmission electron microscope images eliminates amorphous crystal structure and unreacted Ga metal nanocrystals as the source of the induced defects. These results demonstrate that varied plasma power does not produce high conductivities in GaN nanocrystal thin films. Possible next steps include varying the amount of nitrogen during synthesis and doping with Si (via silane gas) or Zn metal to increase the free electron concentration of the films.

Theory, computation, and experimentation are fundamental physics approaches developed within the undergraduate physics curriculum. Typically, the relationship between theory and computation OR theory and experimentation are explored, however the interplay between theory, computation, AND experimentation is not part of the curriculum even though this interplay is a more authentic relationship within the broader physics community. We explore this interplay between theory, computation, and experimentation in a 200-level radioactivity lab in order to allow students to:

• Apply the Monte Carle technique to more accurately model statistical variation inherent in radioactive decay.

• Use their computational model to develop a procedure to analyze their experimental data.

• Apply what they learn from the computational model to inform their experimental design.

• Use observations from their experimental implementation and analysis to inform improvements to their computational model and their understanding of physics theory.

CSB/SJU has had all sky cameras since we built and installed a system in 2009.  In 2021, we added an AllSky7 system which includes 7 cameras which cover the entire sky at St. John's Observatory. The cameras feed constant video to a computer which uses motion capture software to detect meteors.  The data from detected computers is then transmitted to a central network which determines whether a particular events has been detected by multiple stations. The paths of the meteors are then triangulated for events that are observed on multiple systems.  Currently, there are over 100 systems installed worldwide concentrated mainly in Europe, but including 3 systems in Iowa. The tracking from these systems have been used to aid meteorite hunters in finding objects that make it to the ground. Our all sky systems have been used for summer research and senior thesis projects and we plan to develop a junior level observation lab.