2007 New Faculty Workshop Reunion

College Park, Maryland, United States, July 3, 2007

Workshops Help Educators Improve Science Programs

The American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) hosted its 2007 New Faculty Workshop at the College Park, Maryland  Headquarters from Monday, June 25, through Wednesday, June 27, 2007. Each year, the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), in conjunction with the American Astronomical Society (AAS) and the American Physical Society (APS), holds a workshop for new physics and astronomy faculty members at the American Center for Physics. Now in its 12th year, this conference helps new faculty understand how students learn physics and astronomy and suggests how this information can impact a new professor's teaching methods. The workshop is intended for faculty in the first few years of their initial tenure-track appointment at a four-year college or university.

“It’s a great way to get updated on the latest techniques and practices in physics education,” said Charles Sukenik of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. “It’s a good introduction to new teaching methods.”

The discussion format and small breakout groups of the workshop allow the participants to exchange ideas with one another and with leading innovators in physics and astronomy education. Topics include usage of computer simulation, gender equity and diversity issues, and on-line homework systems.

This series of workshops has substantially contributed to the national effort to improve physics and astronomy education. Rather than turn new faculty into specialists in pedagogy or educational methodology, the workshops acquaint them with a small number of teaching techniques that are effective in a wide variety of institutions and course levels.  Follow-up sessions also take place at regular meetings of the AAPT, APS, and AAS.

About AAPT
AAPT is the leading organization for physics educators—with more than 11,000 members worldwide. Our mission is to advance the greater good through physics education. We provide our members with many opportunities for professional development, communication, and student enrichment. We serve the larger community through a variety of programs and publications. AAPT was founded in 1930 and is headquartered in the American Center for Physics in College Park, Maryland.

For More Information
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