Informal physics programs bring physicists together with youth and adults from local communities to engage with physics content outside of classroom settings. These public engagement or "physics outreach" programs are a significant endeavor of the physics community; however, we lack a systemic documentation of these efforts, which makes…

Recent and exciting discoveries in astronomy and cosmology have inspired many high school students to learn about these fields. A particularly fascinating consequence of general relativity at the forefront of modern cosmology research is gravitational lensing, the bending of light rays that pass near massive objects. Gravitational lensing enables…

What happens when university curriculum developers are mixed with motivated elementary teachers? ? An awesome learning collaboration that benefits researchers, teachers, and students! That's what the authors discovered when they--university researchers involved in the Physics for Elementary Teachers (PET) project--teamed up with local elementary…

Criticism of programs that were conducted by eight Kansas and Missouri schools. Indicates the activities that appear successful and those that were less successful. (DF)

Reviews the educational goals in physics of several international organizations that promote collaboration and encourage educational development throughout the world. Offers a rationale for attending international conferences sponsored by these organizations. (CS)

This publication provides an exchange of information on modern content, approaches, curricula, and techniques introduces in the early 1960's, as well as additions or modifications made to older teaching methods during this period. The information presented consists partly of reprints from scientific journals and books and partly of reports. The…

During 1981-82 a physics contest was held in North Carolina in which a new physics question was asked each month. Information is provided for others contemplating a similar task. Areas addressed include costs, prizes (calculators), number of entries, contest rules, contest goals, and such problems as time involvement. (JN)

New physics programs in Great Britain include a program with emphasis on mathematics and other sciences, and a joint honors program combining physics with another discipline, such as philosophy, economics, or English. Future programs may include even broader programs, in areas such as energy science or resources utilization. (MLH)

The author describes, in a highly personal manner, physics teaching in a rural school. Topics detailed include: program descriptions, teaching methods, textbook selection and adoption procedures, teaching load, and the problems associated with teaching in a school district with limited funds. (BT)

Describes the structure and content of a four-year physics/microcomputer degree program at the University of Surrey. (SK)

Discusses aims of educational projects sponsored by British Petroleum Company (BPC) and British Gas Corporation (BGC). Includes rationale for including technology in school curricula and types of curriculum materials produced by BPC and BGC. (SK)