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Alabama PhysTEC Program

Alabama PhysTEC Program. J.W. Harrell , Stan Jones , Patrick LeClair , Tim Mewes , Dennis Sunal , Cynthia Sunal , Penni Wallace ( TiR ). What is PhysTEC ? . Physics Teacher Education Coalition – affiliated with AAPT, APS, and AIP. ( http://phystec.org )

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Alabama PhysTEC Program

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  1. Alabama PhysTEC Program J.W. Harrell, Stan Jones, Patrick LeClair, Tim Mewes, Dennis Sunal, Cynthia Sunal, Penni Wallace (TiR)

  2. What is PhysTEC ? • Physics Teacher Education Coalition – affiliated with AAPT, APS, and AIP. (http://phystec.org) • Goal is to address the US high school teacher shortage problem • More than 260 colleges and universities are PhysTEC members. • A select number are funded each year to establish a model HS physics teacher preparation program.

  3. UA PhysTEC (http://phystec.ua.edu) • 3-year award ($100K/yr) beginning Fall, 2012. • A collaboration with College of Education but centered in Physics & Astronomy. • PhysTEC Faculty: J.W. Harrell, Stan Jones, Patrick LeClair, Tim Mewes, Dennis Sunal(Ed), Cynthia Sunal (Ed).

  4. Major Components of UA PhysTEC • Teacher-in-Residence (TiR). Experienced HS teacher who spends the academic year in the department assisting with the program. • Learning Assistants. UGTAs who take a physics pedagogy course and are mentored by physics faculty. • Partnership with Alabama Science in Motion to provide early teaching experiences. • Teachers Advisory Group • Curriculum development • Mentoring of new teachers

  5. Need for HS Physics Teachers • Number of US students taking HS physics is increasing, but there is a shortage of well-qualified teachers. • Only a small fraction of HS physics teachers have significant training in physics. Most are teaching out of field. • More than ¼ of Alabama students attend school where physics is not offered.

  6. Penni Wallace, Teacher-in-Residence • B.S. 1998, Mississippi State University, Chemistry-Physics Education • M.A. 2001, University of Alabama, General Science • 1998-2002, Central High School • Conceptual Physics, Chemistry, Pre-IB Chemistry • 2002-2012, Hillcrest High School • Physical Science, Chemistry, Physics, AP Physics B • Department chair, Lead Science Teacher for Tuscaloosa County Schools, GK-12 grant, Building Alabama grant

  7. ASIM High School Labs Course • 22 Level 1 labs using Pasco equipment • Only site in state where pre-service teachers are trained • Students meet 2 times per week

  8. Mentoring New Teacher • Tara Gernhardt, recent UA graduate, teaching at HHS on emergency certification • 2 first-year courses, AP Physics B • Co-teaching approximately every 2 weeks • Training on ASIM labs • Class management, developing lesson plans, pacing

  9. Publicity • Introducing program to classes • Talking to students • Visiting schools • Developing materials • Monthly newsletter

  10. Challenges • Only a relatively small fraction of students will want to teach. • Certification process needs to be made clear (good advising) and eventually improved.

  11. Opportunities • Number of PH majors is rapidly increasing. • Science in Motion • Scholarship support (APEX)

  12. APEX(Alliance for Physics Excellence)(http://apex.aamu.edu/) • NSF-MSP award to AAMU with UA as a partner. $8M/5yrs beginning fall, 2012 • Primary goal is to provide in-service training to ~ ¼ of HS physics teachers in Alabama (77 teachers + 11 ASIM specialists). • 2-wk summer institutes + three 1.5 day in-service workshops for 3 years. • Significant financial support for participants.

  13. UA’s Role in APEX • Extensive assessment of program effectiveness (led by D. Sunal, COE) • Scholarships for pre-service teacher training • Ten 2-yr scholarships (junior/senior or masters alt-cert). $16K/yr. • Must teach in high needs district in Alabama (1 year for each year of scholarship) • Will complement PhysTEC in recruiting future physics teachers.

  14. Thank you! • Any questions? • Contact information: • jharrell@bama.ua.edu • dwsunal@bama.ua.edu • pwallace@tcss.net

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