The Role of Texas Physics Departments in the Preparation of K-12 Science Teachers
The science education for our future K-12 teachers faces two challenges during the next few years. The adoption of national and state science standards have obligated our local school systems to provide K-12 students with improved science course content and an understanding of the process and context of science. In addition there is a predicted need of two million new teachers in our country within the next ten years. Scientific societies, including the American Institute of Physics, the American Physical Society, and the American Association of Physics Teachers, are therefore urging the physics community to take an active role in improving the physics preparation of K-12 teachers. Such preparation involves the development of cooperative working relationships between physicists in universities and colleges and the individuals and groups involved in teaching physics to K-12 students.
Approximately 50 science educators from sectors of the education community from high schools through universities, as well as other resource people, participated in the Texas conference. Details on the structure of the conference, and the specific topics addressed as well as the outcomes can be found by following the links below.