SPU Physics Department Projects

The Energy Project
The Energy Project is a research effort aimed at learning how to best teach energy in K-12 classrooms. This project is funded by the National Science Foundation through a Discovery Research K-12 grant. The Energy Project works closely with elementary and secondary science teachers, offering many professional development opportunities both on and off the SPU campus. The Energy Project seeks to deepen energy-related, pedagogical, and curricular content knowledge while honing the diagnostic skills of all teachers.

Teacher Professional Development Resources

The Teacher Professional Development Resources page offers resources for creators and instructors of teacher professional development courses. These resources are guided by the concept of a diagnostic learning environment. The website offers access to SPU Physics Department's professional development philosophy, example lessons, and sample course agendas.

A Collaborative Preparation Model to Increase the Math and Science Competence of K-12 Preservice Teachers

The Physics Department and the School of Education have partnered with the Boeing Company on a long-term project to prepare and support teachers of science in ways that are guided by research.  The collaborative model being developed at SPU is one that is based on the recognition of the importance of blended expertise in tackling teacher preparation issues.  For information about this project, please contact Stamatis Vokos in the Physics Department or Frank Kline in the School of Education.

Work as PhysTEC Primary Program Institution
In recognition of the Department's work in teacher preparation, Seattle Pacific University has been chosen as a Primary Program Institution by PhysTEC, a joint program of the American Physical Society, the American Association of Physics Teachers, and the American Institute of Physics.  For more information, please contact Lane Seeley.

Robert Noyce Scholarships for Prospective Math and Science Teachers
Seattle Pacific University has received a large grant from the National Science Foundation to increase the number of highly qualified teachers of science and mathematics.  For information, please contact John Lindberg (Physics), Greg Phelan (Chemistry), Tim Nelson (Biology), or Robbin O'Leary (Mathematics).

Science Immersion Experience for Upper Elementary Students
With support from the Huston Foundation, the Department recently offered a weeklong summer science immersion experience at SPU's Blakely Island Field Station for rising sixth grade students of special promise but very limited means.  For more information, please contact the director of the program, Lezlie Salvatore DeWater.   
 

Essays on Gravitation

The Department stores one copy of all submissions to the annual competition of essays on gravitation, which is sponsored by the Gravity Research Foundation.  Winners of the contest include renowned theoretical physicists.  SPU's Instructional Technology Services has digitized all the essays and is working with GRF to place all essays online.