Physics is crucial to understanding the world around us, the world inside us, and the world beyond us. It is the most basic and fundamental science. Physics challenges our imaginations and leads to great discoveries that change our lives. The computer that you are using and the laser that reads your CDs were developed as a result of basic physics research. Are you curious about how the world works?
Improving Physics Teacher Education
Chance Hoellwarth of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and Andrew Duffy of Boston University work together in a workshop on developing assessment items.
PhysTEC is an NSF-funded project that supports a limited number of institutions to implement innovative physics teacher education programs.
The Physics Teacher Education Coalition (PTEC) is an association of institutions dedicated to improving physics teacher education. PTEC offers conferences, workshops, and resources for physics teacher educators.
On February 29 and March 1, 2008, PTEC held its fourth annual Conference in Austin, Texas. Around 120 physics and education faculty, administrators, teachers, and students soaked up two packed days of workshops and presentations on master teachers, assessment and evaluation, curriculum and teaching methods, and institutional partnerships.
Improving Introductory Undergraduate Physics
APS, in conjunction with AAPT and the American Astronomical Society (AAS), offers New Faculty Workshops, an annual NSF-funded conference to orient new physics faculty to research-based teaching reforms.
Graduate Education in Physics: Which Way Forward?
APS and the AAPT held a conference to address the status and future of graduate education in physics, January 31-February 2, 2008, at the American Center for Physics in College Park. Topics included the graduate curriculum, preparation for non-academic careers, communication skills and professional development, TA training, ethics, comprehensive exam, departmental climate, and advising.
Conference Agenda with Session Notes.
Posters and other resources.
Conference Photos.
Minority Scholarships
Minority Undergraduate Scholarships are available for minority high school seniors and college freshmen and sophomores who plan to obtain a degree in physics.
ComPADRE Digital Library
APS has partnered with AIP, AAPT, and AAS in the ComPADRE digital library, a collection of electronic educational materials in physics and astronomy.
