New Methods for the Advanced Lab

The advanced lab lives at the awkward intersection of irrelevance and capstone course. I contend that it has a big part to play in the future of physics education and that it can be instrumental in turning undergraduate majors into professional physicists and astronomers. Tools that can be developed and which can convince lower and higher administration to invest into costly equipment include: Embedding of lab goals into institutional goals, assessment, and career outcomes. Cultivating critical thinking and presentation skills. Creating belonging and rapport that appeals to minorities. Reinvigorating tired out majors into this-is-what-I-came-here-for mindsets.