Re: What lab skills should students have once they finish a year of physics?

Hi Russell  

The basic skills for the 21st century aren't really that much different
than the basic skills for the 20th century.  Physics is an experimental
science that uses precisely defined units of measurements.  

You would do well in giving your students a strong grounding in the
fundamentals; units (systems and standards) and their role in problem
solving.  The nature of physical quantities; scalars and vectors,  vector
addition and subtraction, vector components and the resolution of
vectors into their components. 

You might also want to get a copy of a recent College level introductory
physics book and plan your curriculum around the first few chapters.

I hope this is helpful
Greg