Resources for K-12 Physics
and Physical Science Teachers

AAPT is an action oriented organization designed to develop, improve, and promote best practices for physics education as part of the global need for qualified Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics educators who will inspire tomorrow's leaders and decision makers.
AAPT is your home for high school physics and physical science teacher resources.

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Publications and Educational Resources

  • American Journal of Physics (AJP) - The Physics Teacher and the American Journal of PhysicsAJP publishes papers that meet the needs and intellectual interests of college and university physics teachers and students.
  • The Physics Teacher (TPT) - TPT publishes papers on the teaching of physics, and on topics such as contemporary physics, applied physics, and the history of physics—all aimed at the introductory-level teacher.
  • ComPADRE Digital Library - ComPADRE is a network of free online resource collections supporting faculty, students, and teachers in Physics and Astronomy Education.
  • AAPT eNNOUNCER - This e-newsletter is emailed to members monthly and contains upcoming dates and deadlines, member news and information, recent news from the worlds of physics and teaching, our current promotions and programs, and much more.
  • Inside Science - This Science News Service is provided through AAPT's partnership with AIP.  Watch our home page for daily feeds and links to stories you can use in your classroom.
  • Links to additional resources - You will find posters, guidelines, videos, international physics organizations, reports, and article collections and individual articles to support your physics and physical science teaching.

Networking and Academic Development

  • Summer and Winter National Meetings - AAPT organizes national meetings annually each winter and summer.
  • High School Physics Teachers Day - During each of the national meetings there is a special day planned with sessions and activities designed to meet the particular needs of pre-college teachers, all at a special reduced registration rate for teachers who are attending an AAPT national meeting for the first time. To see more, go to the national meetings page click on the upcoming meeting link and look under the program tab.
  • AAPT eMentoring - Designed to connect high school physics teachers who desire additional guidance with experienced physics teachers, this free service will help you through your first years of teaching.
  • Email Discussion Lists - Join the discussion with colleagues on the Physics in High Schools, Physics in Pre-High School, Physics First, or other lists of interest. 
  • YouTube Physics Teacher Channel - Don't have time to attend a national meeting?  View the plenary talks and selected sessions from AAPT meetings.

Awards and Recognition

Contests & Competitions

  • AAPT Physics Bowl - This annual Spring exam covers concepts from a typical high school physics course.  Prizes are awarded in two divisions.
  • High School Physics Photo Contest - Students and teachers learn about the physics behind natural and contrived situations by creating visual and written illustrations of physical science concepts.  Winning photos comprise the Annual Photo Contest Poster distributed to AAPT members with The Physics Teacher.
  • International Science and Engineering Fair - AAPT joins with APS in providing Special Organizational Awards and judges each year.
  • U.S. Physics Team (Olympiad) - Beginning with F=ma Exam in January and ending with participation on the International Physics Olympiad in July, the training and selection of the U.S. Physics Team involves thousands of teachers and students around the world.
  • Team America Rocketry Challenge - Students in grades 7-12 learn physics and engineering while working as a team to design and build a model rocket to fulfill challenging mission requirements that change each year. Top teams split more than $60,000 in scholarships and prizes.

Grants and Scholarships