Physics Department Initiatives in Science Teacher Preparation

1. Collaboration between current members of the Physics Department and the School of Education began  with a commitment by the Science Advisor of the School of Education to direct their students to "Physics of the Environment", which at the time was the only course at the University of Connecticut to have inquiry-based labs.  The department later participated in a Carnegie-sponsored collaboration between the School of Education and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: "Teachers for a New Era".

2. In summers we participate in the Kids Are Scientist Too (KAST) program, organizing a week of physics activities and a week of astronomy activities for kids from 8 to 15 years old.

3.  Our faculty and staff are active in outreach to area schools.  Members of the department offer active support to high-school teachers and provide interactive physics demonstrations and "road shows" to K-12 students.   In previous years, the department has partnered with area high school teachers to offer a "Physics Olympiad", and we hope to resume this collaboration in Spring 2013.