- Year 2016
- NSF Noyce Award # 1340082
- First Name Ian
- Last Name Lindevald
- Discipline Mathematics, Physics
- Co-PI(s)
Susan Scheurer, Truman State University,scheurer@truman.edu
Paul Yoder, Truman State University,pyoder@truman.edu - Presenters
Ian Lindevald, Truman State University, lindy@truman.edu
Need
The Truman Noyce Scholars Program for Secondary Mathematics and Physics Teaching will improve the quality of physics teaching by producing teachers with extensive content knowledge in both physics and mathematics. A current trend in secondary schools is to fill physics classes with teachers with available science teachers, many of whom have little physics background. We believe a dual math/physics undergraduate degree paired with our strong Master of Arts in Education (MAE) program will produce excellent teachers who possess a unique combination of content and pedagogical knowledge.
Goals
The Truman Noyce Scholars Program for Secondary Mathematics and Physics Teaching will improve the quality of physics teaching by producing teachers with extensive content knowledge in both physics and mathematics. A current trend in secondary schools is to fill physics classes with teachers with available science teachers, many of whom have little physics background. We believe a dual math/physics undergraduate degree paired with our strong Master of Arts in Education (MAE) program will produce excellent teachers who possess a unique combination of content and pedagogical knowledge.
Approach
Our grant PIs (representing physics, mathematics, and education) are working closely to recruit and train future mathematics and physics educators. They have used existing course overlap in the math and physics majors to create a plan for a four year undergraduate degree and additional two year master’s degree. Our PIs promote the Truman Noyce Scholars Program to current students in the classroom as well as speaking to incoming students at recruitment events. Our faculty has also identified and cultivated promising underclassmen in mathematics and physics for recruitment.
Outcomes
We are about to start year three of our program, having recruited one scholar in our first year and two scholars in our second year.
