What is the Packets Project?

This project is being done to provide off-the-shelf assistance to college physics instructors in several areas:

Using symbolic algebra programs and / or spreadsheets throughout the physics curriculum. Building or maintaining student skills with these tools, to provide more insight about physics problems.

What does a packet contain?

A number of worked-out example problems or calculations in Maple, Mathematica or spreadsheet. Some are very simple, meant to build confidence with the package. Some are advanced, showing the power and versatility of the package, capable of providing insight to the student.

Executable Maple and Mathematica and spreadsheet files - download all files in a given packet
Maple file text and input lines - easy to read , search. Can download individual Maple files on the spot.
Comments and elaboration on prolems.

Suggetions for classroom activites which will actively engage students.
For advanced courses, some suggestions are presented utilizing materials from the CUPS project (Consortium for Upper-Level Physics Software).

How can you benefit from this project?

You can find resources of interest and download them. Downloading may consist of

clicking to get auto-unzipping files for Maple, Mathematica, and spreadsheets
clicking to get zipped files for the Mac
downloading individual Maple files via 'Save File' . (Later, launch Maple to run worksheet.)
clicking to get DOS applications which are in some packets
printing relevant packet web pages at your home site
copying the web source code and then editing it at your home site

You can send suggestions and comments and ask questions by clicking on the email site. This will automatically bring up and address an email window. You add the subject and your comments and send it off. We are likely to be able to help on questions about Maple, and spreadsheets, but not so likely to help with Mathematica questions.

Credits:

Tools used in the construction of these web pages

National Science Foundation Grant - DUE 9455442