Physics, Astronomy, and Materials Science Department
Physics Education
Programs
Activities
Teaching: The Department has long acknowledged its role in a shared responsibility (with the College of Education) to prepare teachers of science from early childhood to secondary school level. Physics by Inquiry for Educators (Physics 101) has been offered for many years for this first group of prospective teachers and is based on extensive published research on how students learn various concepts in physics. In this activity driven course faculty model the learning environments that research has shown to be successful in the pre-college classroom. Physics and Astronomy by Inquiry (Physics 501) has been provided as an additional course for those seeking middle-school certification in science/mathematics. In addition, faculty advises those planning to become secondary school physics teachers and those pursuing a Masters degree in physics education. Research: Physics education faculty have conducted research in such areas as conceptual understanding of physics; simulation techniques in physics and astronomy; interactive active-learning in physics lectures; proportional reasoning; history of physics; etc. Students frequently have the opportunity to participate in these research projects. Service: All faculty participate in the regional science fair and the science olympiad. They also conduct tours of Department facilities, present public programs on physics topics, and visit school classrooms.