Department of Physics at Buffalo State College Physics Teaching Pathways

Current Need for Physics Teachers New York State has a shortage of physics teachers with the requisite content background and pedagogical knowledge and skills (Office of Teaching, 2000) Need is especially acute in inner city and small rural schools (National Research Council, 2001) In 1999, 17% of the physics teachers in New York State were over the age of 55

Future Need for Physics Teachers Percent of physics classes in NYS being taught by teacher who is not certified to teach physics: 17%. Percent of physics classes in NYS being taught by teacher who is over age 55 (close to retirement): 28%. Percent of physics classes in NYS being taught by teacher who is over age 50: 43%.

Future Need for Physics Teachers Effective September 1, 2003, the Commissioner of the New York State Education Department will no longer issue temporary licenses. As of September 2001, there is a new Core Curriculum and corresponding statewide exam for high school physics in the state of New York. Beginning in 2004, certified physics teachers will be required to have a minimum of 30 semester hours of physics. This will make it difficult for science teachers to get physics as a second certification. New High School Graduation requirements will push more students into physics in high school. Many schools that have a chemistry or earth science teacher teach one section of physics will now need a full-time physics teacher.

Physics Education at Buffalo State College Bachelor's of Science Education: Physics Master of Science Education: Physics Master of Science Education: Alternative-B Certification in Physics Physics Teaching Pathways Summer Academy Institute for New Physics Teachers (PHY 510, 6 cr, offered every summer) Powerful Ideas in Electricity and Magnetism (PHY 622, 6 cr, offered summer 2003) Powerful Ideas in Force, Motion, and Energy (PHY 620, 6 cr, offered summer 2004) Constructing Physics Understanding (EDU 671 and PHY 594, total 6 cr, offered summer 2003)

Why courses that combine content and pedagogy? Research indicates that, of all pedagogical training, training in subject-specific pedagogy is the most helpful(Brown, Smith, & Stein, 1995; Cohen & Hill, 1997). Recent research has found serious deficiencies in conventional physics teaching methods as well as considerable improvements from research-based instructional designs (Hake, 1998; Hammer, 1996). In the area of physics, it has been found that over half of physics teachers are without an academic major or minor in a physical science (Ingersoll, 1999).

Master of Science Education: Physics This coursework will lead to certification in Physics for teachers currently certified in another science. Available to candidates throughout New York State Summer workshop courses: 18 credits PHY 510: Process Skills in Physics Teaching (Institute for New Physics Teachers) PHY 620: Powerful Ideas in Force, Motion, and Energy PHY 622: Powerful Ideas in Electricity and Magnetism Each course is a two week intensive (100 hours) workshop that combines content and pedagogical methods. Research courses: 6 credits PHY 500: Physics Education Research Seminar PHY 690: Master’s Project These courses will be offered through distance learning Elective courses: 9 credits For student not close to Buffalo State College, these courses may be taken at another institution with prior approval

Alternative Certification Program Summer 1 Exceptional Education course 40 hours of initial field experience in physics classes Constructing Powerful Ideas course (PHY 620 or PHY 622) Process Skills in Physics Teaching (PHY 510) Adolescent Psychology School Year 1 Induction seminar Seminar in Physics Education Research (PHY 500) Additional coursework (LOTE, other science courses, physics) Summer 2 Literacy courses Constructing Powerful Ideas course (PHY 620 or PHY 622) School year 2 Induction seminar Additional coursework (LOTE, other science courses, physics) Master’s Project (PHY 690)

For more information contact: Dewayne Beery (716) Or visit the Buffalo State College Physics Education web site at: Physics Teaching Pathways