Physics Department Initiatives in Science Teacher Preparation

1. Collaboration between current members of the Physics Department and the School of Education began eight years ago 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. That collaboration has been maintained over time, and lately expanded. We are currently active participants in a Carnegie-sponsored collaboration between the School of Education and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: "Teachers for a New Era". In this collaboration we will promote best science pedagogy as it unfolds from the results of Physics Education Research (PER), while ensuring that the science content in the curriculum for pre-service teachers is appropriate.

2. In summers we participate in Kids Are Scientist Too (KAST), organizing two weeks of physics and a week of astronomy activities for kids from 8 to 12 years old.

3. We collaborate with the Connecticut Association of Physics Teachers (CAPT), awarding an annual prize consisting of a plaque and $500, "The University of Connecticut Award for Excellence in High School Physics Teaching."

4. Two of our faculty are on a CTEAMS (The Center for Technology Education to Advance Math and Science) panel of speakers available for school visits, and this year a faculty member gave an invited talk to CAPT members, "Earth's Magnetism"

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