Physics Education
Teaching and Learning Physics
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
PhysTEC is a joint society project funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and led by APS. PhysTEC supports a limited number of institutions to develop innovative physics teacher education programs.
PhysTEC programs have greatly increased the number of physics and physical science teachers graduating from sponsored institutions, some by about a factor of 10. The graph below shows improvements at PhysTEC institutions.
PhysTEC Gains and Outcomes
Larger PhysTEC Graph
PhysTEC also sponsors the Physics Teacher Education Coalition (PTEC), a broader association of institutions dedicated to improving physics teacher education. PTEC offers physics teacher educators conferences, workshops, and resources.
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. APS produces the content for the ComPADRE outreach website Physics to Go.
