Location
- Lewis University, Main Academic Building, Room AS-158-A
- Address: One University Parkway, Romeoville, IL 60446
- Parking: Visitor Lot D off University Drive North
- Coordinates: 41°36'24.95"N 88°04'49.27"W; 41.606927, -88.080348
Who Should Attend
Any physics educators from around the Chicagoland area (or anywhere else if you're willing to travel!) that want to energize their physics courses! The scope of this workshop is appropriate for physics teachers from high schools, 2-year colleges, and 4-year colleges and universities.
The workshop will include demonstrations and discussions about various aspects of integrating computational activities into physics courses at all levels from introductory to advanced. There will also be guided working time wherein participants will explore tested exercises, and will build an outline that will serve as the beginning of a plan for integrating computational activities into their specific courses. Finally, by participating in this workshop participants will become plugged into a growing and supportive community of like-minded physics educators dedicated to improving the physics curriculum. The support system includes a repository of developed computational materials as well as dedicated online and personal community support.
NOTE: This is the 4th annual convening of the Chicagoland workshop. If you have attended any of the previous workshops, you are absolutely welcome and encouraged to return. In addition to the introductory topics, intended for faculty who have little or no experience integrating computational activities into their physics courses or for prior attendees who would like refreshers, there will be concurrent sessions with advanced and other topics of computational and pedagogical interest.
Registration
Registration is now open through Saturday, September 20 (walk-ins welcome on the day of the event).
Hit that big green button below or use the QR code to register!
Registration fee: $25
Registration includes lunch!
Begin Registration Here
Poster Session
If you have experience in integrating computational activities into your undergraduate or high school physics courses, and would like to display and discuss your work in this area, there will be a formal poster session during the day on Saturday. Please consider bringing a poster detailing your computational pedagogical efforts.
Workshop Schedule
Schedule for Saturday, September 20
8:30-9:15 Arrival, Registration, and Continental Breakfast
Please sign in: https://forms.gle/z2JbNcJHLkuLaoJt7
9:15-9:30 Welcome, Introductions, and Workshop Goals
9:30-10:45 General Session 1 - Excel Computation in Astronomy & a Taste of Computational Physics for Introductory Physics
10:45-11:00 Break
11:00-12:00 General Session 2 - Computational Physics in the Era of Gen AI - policy and potential uses
12:00-12:30 Lunch
12:30-12:45 Workshop Photo
12:45-1:45 Student Panel
1:45-3:45 Small Groups
Possible small group discussions:
a.) Spreadsheets and/or other tools for introductory physics or astronomy
b.) More generative AI examples
c.) Using Jupyter Notebooks or Google Colab
d.) Computational physics beyond the first-year sequence
e.) Integrating computation into the lab experience
f.) Other possible small groups as suggested by participants in the morning
3:45-4:00 Wrap Up
Questions/Need help?
If you have any questions, or would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact one of the workshop coordinators:
Ryan Hooper, Department of Physics, Lewis University hooperry@lewisu.edu
Joseph Kozminski, Department of Physics, Lewis University kozminjo@lewisu.edu
Kelly Roos, Department of Finance and Quantitative Methods, Bradley University rooster@bradley.edu
Anthony Escuadro, Physical Science Department, Harold Washington College aescuadro@ccc.edu
Andrew Morrison, Department of Natural Sciences, Joliet Junior College amorriso@jjc.edu
Raymond Zich, Department of Physics, Illinois State University, rlzich@gmail.com
