Hands‐on Demonstrations: An Alternative to Full Scale Lab Experiments

Abstract Short demonstrations of basic fluid mechanics principles were developed for use in 50 minute seminar sessions, led by graduate student TA's. These have provided structured training for our TA's, lightened the load on our undergraduate lab facilities, and provided our students with visual, active learning opportunities. The demonstrations and handouts were developed by an undergraduate student as a summer project, and expanded on by successive TA's. The response from the students is best illustrated by the increase in seminar attendance from 30% to over 80%.