Education Corner

Gordon Conference on Physics Research and Education
The sixth in a series of Gordon Research Conferences exploring the connections between physics research and education will be held June 6–11, 2010 at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts. This conference will focus on experimental research and laboratories in physics education and will feature sessions on undergraduate research, upper-level labs, and experiments, simulations and modeling, among other topics. The application deadline is May 16, and partial support for attendees may be available.
  Experimental Research And Labs In Physics Education


Teacher Recruiting Video Released
The APS/American Association of Physics Teachers-led PhysTEC project recently produced a five-minute video designed to inspire physics majors to pursue a career in teaching. The video features four young physics teachers who talk about what excites them about their jobs, as well as extensive footage from these teachers’ classrooms. The video is available on DVD as well as online.
  Teach Physics Video (PhysTEC)
  Teach Physics Video (YouTube)

Transforming Undergraduate Education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
The National Science Foundation’s Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement (CCLI) program has been renamed Transforming Undergraduate Education in STEM (TUES). According to NSF, “the title of the program was changed in order to emphasize the special interest in projects that have the potential to transform undergraduate STEM education. The additional review criteria have been modified to emphasize the desire for projects that (1) propose materials, processes, or models that have the potential to enhance student learning and to be adapted easily by other sites and (2) involve a significant effort to facilitate adaptation at other sites.” Proposals are due May 26.
  NSF Website: Search on "TUES"

Correction
The April Education Corner gave the impression that LaserFest kits are available to all teachers. In fact, the kits are available only to physicists providing professional development for high school teachers.