Harnessing Large Language Models for Integrating Computation into Physics Courses

Workshop Dates

Tuesday July 29, 2025:  Main Workshop and Small Groups -- 12 PM - 4 PM Central Time

Wednesday, July 30, 2025: Working Groups Session -- 12 PM - 1 PM Central Time

Thursday, July 31, 2025: Participants Showcase & Wrap Up -- 12 PM - 2 PM Central Time

Registration (closed)

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED

NOTE: Registration will close at 5:00 PM ET on Monday, July 28. The meeting link will be sent out via email on Tuesday (July 29) morning.

Workshop Scope

The purpose of the workshop is to explore the use of Large Language Models (LLM) to facilitate the integration of computational activities into physics courses, spanning the spectrum from introductory to advanced. This interactive event will address critical questions and opportunities at the intersection of AI, pedagogy, and computational activities development. Join us to shape the future of computational physics education—whether you’re AI-savvy, AI-curious, AI-skeptical, or anywhere in between, this workshop offers participants multiple entry points to leverage LLMs responsibly and creatively. Even if you're worried that the terminators will soon be coming for those who have not interacted politely with ChatGPT, you should take part in this event!

Who Should Attend

• Faculty teaching physics at any level (introductory, including high school, to advanced)
• Educators curious about AI’s role in modern pedagogy
• Educators aiming to keep their physics courses current and resilient in the face of emerging technologies

Program for Tuesday (using Central Time)

• 12:00 - 12:10: Welcome / Intro (Kelly)
• 12:10 - 12:20: Basic Intro to terminology (Larry)
• 12:20 - 12:40: The “AI ecosystem” (Walter)
• 12:40 - 1:00: Demo of using Google Colab (Nicholas)
• 1:00 - 1:15:  AI classroom policy (Danny)
• 1:15 - 1:20:  Break
• 1:20 - 1:50: The biology of an LLM (Joshua)
• 1:50 - 2:20: Agentic programming w/Claude Code (Walter)
• 2:20 - 2:30: Break
• 2:30 - 2:50: Clustering student conversations w/AI (Atharva)
• 2:50 - 3:10: Student Framework & Campus Culture (Patricia)
• 3:10 - 3:40: Small Groups Brainstorm Deliverables
• 3:40 - 4:00 - Final Check in

Workshop Coordinators

Larry Engelhardt, Department of Physics and Engineering, Francis Marion University (contact: lengelhardt@fmarion.edu)

Walter Freeman, Department of Physics, Syracuse University (contact: wafreema@syr.edu)

Brian Lane, Department of Physics, University of North Florida (contact: brian.lane@unf.edu)

Nick Nelson, Department of Physics, California State University Chico (contact: njnelson@csuchico.edu)

Kelly Roos, Department of Finance and Quantitative Methods, Bradley University (contact: rooster@bradley.edu)

Patricia Soto, Director, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center, University of California Merced (contact: patriciasotobecerr@ucmerced.edu)