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AAPT WM18 San Diego

PTRAs were deeply involved in the AAPT WM18 in San Diego, January 6-9, 2018.  PTRAs led multiple sessions and workshops in addition to their service on committees.  Thank you to all the PTRAs who came and made the AAPT meeting successful for members of the K-12 community!

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Professional Development

PTRAs are experienced master teachers and provide content, curriculum, and pedagogical support for K-16 teachers, coordinators, and professors.   

Due to COVID-19 our PD sessions are being transitioned to be online.  During this process we are creating lessons that YOU can use for your classroom.  If there is a topic you specifically need, let us know and we will try to accommodate. Currently we are working on the following topics: Newton’s laws, CASTLE (electricity), Kiddie Lit, Astronomy, and Quantum. Check back with us regularly or use the email below to contact us regarding ways we can help you.

If you would like more information on services we provide please contact us [email protected]

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AAPT meeting and Texas Instruments

The AAPT summer meeting officially began on Sunday (7.14.13) and the PTRAs were there in full force to participate in the sessions, workshops, and committee meetings.  Sometimes we even had time to eat the great food Portland has to offer.  On Tuesday, Kelli Key from Texas Instruments shared some of the new and exciting things TI has to offer for teaching physics….including the TINspire.  A very cool calculator (actually it is more like a computer).

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Physics apps and STEM for the classroom, 7/13/13

Using the APS app to determine which gas tube was being used

Using the APS app to determine which gas tube was being used

There are lots of apps, but determining which ones can be most productive in the classroom can be a daunting task.  Michael Strange helped participants focus on apps for physics and general classroom management and then we began the task of “re-engineering” activities to be aligned with NGSS with a focus on the elementary STEM classroom.  Cathy Barthelemy and Katya Denisova helped participants see physics through the eyes of elementary students and participants engaged in a  learning cycle on friction for “Fred on a Sled”.  Our partners from the Perimeter Institute wrapped up the day with challenges of teaching wave particle duality!

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Next Generation Science Standards, Engineering, PASCO 7/12/13

Friday began with working on the NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards) with Dr. Carey Sneider, Dr. Ramon Lopez, and Katya Denisova.  The afternoon was focused on PASCO engineering structures and building paper rocket lauchers.  After dinner the participants did an elementary learning cycle on harnessing the wind and made wind turbines that were engineered to pump water. Physics IS PHUN

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iOS Devices, Vernier Video Analysis, DCUs, Egg Engineering 7/11/13

The first day of the summer leadership institute was held onsite at Vernier Software and Technology.  The focus was on the use of iOS devices, Video Physics, use of digital control units (DCUs) in the classroom, and egg engineering.  Lots of learning challenges and fun. Below are photos of the event and videos of the egg engineering “task”

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Summer 2013 Leadership Workshop, Portland OR

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Looking forward to the AAPT/PTRA Leadership Conference and the AAPT National Conference in Portland, OR. Nearly 40 of the best physics teachers across the nation will come together and work on curriculum pertinent to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and how STEM can be a valuable part of any grade level K-12.

Topics include use of iOS devices in the classroom, engineering with digital control units (DCU), engineering designs for K-12, and much more.  Friday morning Dr. Cary Sneider (NGSS writing team leader) and Dr. Ramon Lopez (NGSS team member) will help PTRAs develop a deeper understanding of true meaning the standards and what they should look like in the classroom.  PTRAs will then be able to go back to their home states and districts and empower peers to be stronger in both content and pedagogical understandings for these new challenges.