Advisory and mentoring programs

Dr. Williams and Rutledge mentor and advise students.  We teach in a way that models good modern PER evaluated methods.  We have such a small department that is sufficient since we have low teacher candidate to faculty ratio.  Students may be involved in teaching in introductory laboratories with faculty.

Involvement of master teachers in preservice education or mentoring

Students may be involved in teaching in introductory laboratories with faculty (not master teachers-none are in this area).

Research opportunities for teachers (RETs) and for undergraduates (REUs)

Now we have few opportunities for teachers in research. Dr. Karen Williams has mentored several educational assessment research projects involving undergraduate students.  Traditionally they have been assessments of the effectiveness of grant programs on our campus.  We encourage our students however to go elsewhere for  
REU's.  I encourage the use of the website The Nucleus to search nationally for REU's.  This site has a few teacher research experiences each year.

Professional development opportunities offered

NSTA and SPS provide many aspects of professional development opportunities through professional meetings, paper presentations given and heard, and workshops.  Faculty always encourage students to attend AAPT (American Association of Physics Teachers) meetings regionally and nationally as we travel to them.  They gain much from workshops at such meetings.  Dr. Karen Williams is now a co-chair in the Oklahoma Academy of Science physical sciences section and encourages students to participate in paper presentations at state meetings and compete for prizes.

Local alliances & Teacher Advisory Groups

No formal alliance locally at this moment.  We have one graduate in the area, we might be able to form one with his help.  We loan planetarium kits out and let local teachers borrow other equipment, provide lab books for them or assist with questions if asked.  We host observatory viewings that some teachers regularly have interest in and bring students to each semester.  If they ask, we will answer.