Events
- Annual Convention
- Great Teaching round-up
- Leading from the middle
- fall conference for faculty leaders
- Webinars
"I think there is something more important than believing: Action! The world is full of dreamers, there aren't enough who will move ahead and begin to take concrete steps to actualize their vision."
Events: 2008 Physics and Engineering Schedule
Physics and Engineering Summary
Friday, 11:15 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
"Moving Physics Education Research from the Laboratory to the Classroom"
Speaker: Randy Knight, Professor of Physics and Director of the Minor in Environmental Studies, California Polytechnic State University
Saturday, 9:00 - 10:15 a.m.
"How to Teach Astronomy at Your Community College"
Speakers: Marles McCurdy, Professor of Physics and Astronomy, and Raymond Benge, Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Tarrant County College, Northeast Campus
Friday, February 22nd, 11:15 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Friday morning during the TCCTA convention, the Physics and Engineering Section will learn about "Moving Physics Education Research from the Laboratory to the Classroom."
Speaking will be Randy Knight, professor of physics and director of the minor in environmental studies at California Polytechnic State University.
Dr. Knight reports: "Twenty-five years of physics education research have produced truly remarkable insights into how students learn physics as well as the very nature of the learning process. But this new knowledge must be transformed into new teaching methods and new curricular materials if it is to have widespread and lasting benefit. This talk will provide a from-the-trenches view of both the challenges and the opportunities for moving physics education research from the laboratory to the classroom."
Dr. Knight is the author of Five Easy Lessons: Strategies for Successful Physics Teaching; Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach, and (with Brian Jones and Stuart Field) College Physics: A Strategic Approach, all published by Pearson/Addison Wesley.
Saturday, February 23rd, 9:00-10:15 a.m.
Saturday's program is "How to Teach Astronomy at Your Community College," with Marles McCurdy and Raymond Benge, who teach physics and astronomy at Tarrant County College-Northeast.
Topics will include how to get started, what is needed, what to include, what approach to take toward the lecture and lab curriculum, designing the laboratories, the importance of observing, and available resources.
Dr. McCurdy began the astronomy curriculum at Tarrant County College 25 years ago. Introductory astronomy is now offered on all four campuses of TCC. He also implemented an astronomy curriculum at Weatherford College.
Mr. Benge works to promote astronomy to the general public in various outreach programs. He has authored a number of works on astronomy, space exploration, the history of science, and biographies, including numerous encyclopedia articles. He has 30 publications, including an astronomy blog.
Physics and Engineering Section Chair:
Tom O'Kuma, Lee College