The IUP Physics Department has a history of providing support for pre-service and in-service teachers, with a strong undergraduate program, and several alumni who teach Physics in the area.  The IUP Physics Department has in the past provided workshops for teachers thought the IUP Physics Alliance, CETP-PA, and its own teacher workshop.

WIN PC

This is an online program that provided Physics certification for certified in service math and science teachers. Teachers took one course during each semester for four semesters in optics, thermodynamics, electricity & magnetism and advanced mechanics.  During the summer, students came to campus and took electronics, experimental Physics lab, and Secondary School Physics lab practicum.  This program was terminated when the state of Pennsylvania changed the second certification process; a certified secondary school teacher only needed to pass the PRAXIS II exam in a specific content area for certification.

ESPyC

In the mid 1990's, school districts in Pennsylvania expressed concern over the lack of qualified Physics teachers. IUP developed an External Secondary Physics Certification program, which provided Physics certification to practicing teachers.

2+2+2 Integrated Workforce Leadership Program in Electro-Optics

This program is funded by a grant from Pennsylvania's Department of Community and Economic Development. With a seamless transition from high school into college, the program offers the versatility of multiple entrance and exit points.  After completion of each educational level, students can exit the program with various skill  levels including: a certificate, associate's degree or bachelor's degree.

IUP Alliance for Physics

Initiated in the late 1980's the Alliance was a collaboration of the IUP Physics department with school districts in western Pennsylvania. The Physics Alliance offered workshops for Physics Teachers twice per year, with presentations, calculator workshops and "make and take" activities.  The Physics Alliance was initially successful in increasing Physics education enrollment, as can be seen from the number of graduates in the early 1990's.

CETP-PA

The IUP Physics Department actively participated in the Collaborative for Excellence in Teacher Preparation for Mathematics and Science in Pennsylvania (CETP). This is a NSF CETP, Track II, systemic reform initiative of the science and math teacher preparation programs of the 14 campuses of the PA State System of Higher Education (SSHE).  This project facilitates systemic change in Pennsylvania by: 1) re-designing teacher preparation and mentoring developing new professional development opportunities for teachers 2) increasing the variety of pre-college and outreach programs available to encourage students and mid-career change aspirants to go into the field of teaching science or mathematics.

Visiting Scientist Program

Sponsored by the College of Science and Mathematics, the VSP sends college faculty out to area elementary and secondary high schools, to discuss their area of expertise.  This is viewed by the college as an outreach for recruitment.

IUP Physics Olympics

The Physics Olympics originated at IUP in 1972. It had been discontinued for many years, and has been brought back by the IUP Physics Club.