Fellowships and Scholarships CHEPREO and Programs

Physics Teacher Education Programs

Currently, FIU offers undergraduates two paths for a physics teaching career. An undergraduate may receive a BS in Physics Education from the College of Education or they may major in physics and minor in education. Neither of these paths attracts large numbers of students. We are preparing a revised undergraduate teaching program that builds on the success of our recent reform efforts, a program that will integrate the best of the Physics and College of Education programs and will include recruiting through our learning community.

Creation of a new combined College of Education/College of Arts & Sciences masters degree for teachers has been promoted by the new College of Education Dean, with strong support from Physics Department and College of Education faculty. Many summer workshop attendees requested this type of program as a ways to further their teaching careers. The program is in design and is expected to be submitted in Fall 2006.

Physics Department Initiatives in Science Teacher Education

The Department of Physics and College of Education have been working to reform both the physics and physics education programs at Florida International University over the past five years. Reform efforts include curricular changes to programs and selected courses, extensive pre- and inservice teacher programs, and the establishment of a vibrant teacher/student learning community. This multidisciplinary foundation forms the basis of efforts to revamp both the undergraduate and graduate teacher education programs, creating a sustained, supportive environment for future physics teachers. We are well suited to become a PTEC member with our ongoing collaborative efforts with the College of Education, our learning community that builds connections between teachers, students, and faculty, our emphasis on both teaching and research careers in physics, our reformed inquiry-based courses for majors, and our faculty's demonstrated
effectiveness in working with pre- and inservice teachers.