News and Events - Physics

Report Cites Physics Education Program as among Best in Nation

norrisma1 — Thu, 09 May 2013 14:20:22 +0000

Author:

Mary A. Durlak

Published Date:

May 9, 2013

Buffalo State’s physics teacher education program was included among the best such programs in the United States in a report issued by the Task Force on Teacher Education in Physics (T-TEP). T-TEP is a joint effort of the American Physical Society, the American Association of Physics Teachers, and the American Institute of Physics, with support from the Physics Teacher Education Coalition.

The report, Transforming the Preparation of Physics Teachers: A Call to Action, found that, with a handful of exceptions, “the professional preparation of physics teachers is largely inefficient, mostly incoherent, and completely unprepared to deal with the current and future needs of the nation’s students.”

The process for preparing the report included gathering data in many ways, including sending surveys to all U.S. physics departments in U.S. colleges and universities. The task force focused on high-producing institutions—those that graduate two or more physics teachers a year. The task force also consulted existing research results regarding teacher education and other teaching-related research as well as national reports related to student achievement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; analyzed publicly available data; and collaborated with other organizations with an interest in teacher education.

The T-TEP report recommends “establishing regional centers in physics education,” arguing that an innovative national program is necessary to meet national needs. Citing a report of the National Science Board, the report demonstrates the need by stating, “Substandard U.S. student achievement in science is coupled to the significant demand for foreign-born science and engineering (S&E) workers to fill positions in what is known as ‘Knowledge- and Technology-Intensive Industries;’ these industries have been a major and growing part of the U.S. economy, and currently represent 40 percent of the U.S Gross Domestic Product.”

Dan MacIsaac, associate professor of physics, is described as playing an “indispensable role in guiding the intellectual development of the Buffalo State physics teacher education program.” MacIsaac, along with Kathleen Falconer, lecturer of elementary education and reading, are nationally known experts in the Reformed Teaching Observation Protocol, a tool that assesses the effectiveness of methods of teaching physics.

“We are pleased to be recognized as one of only 11 national model programs in the T-TEP report,” said MacIsaac. “Buffalo State physics programs are incorporating teaching methods that research has shown to be more effective ways of teaching physics. Buffalo State physics has also been fortunate to receive extensive continuous funding from the National Science Foundation since 2003 supporting these innovative methods and curricula for physics teacher preparation. A team of faculty, professional staff, and adjunct faculty from the departments of physics, earth sciences and science education, elementary education and reading, and technology together with Buffalo State administrators have made such efforts and recognition possible.”

Buffalo State offers both undergraduate and graduate programs in physics teaching preparation, including two physics M.S.Ed. programs. One is designed for certified teachers who want to add physics teaching as a second certification; the other is designed for STEM professionals who want to pursue an alternative certification process to teach high school physics.

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M&T Bank Provides Fund for Science and Mathematics Complex

norrisma1 — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 20:35:45 +0000

Author:

Laurie Kaiser

Published Date:

March 6, 2013

M&T Bank has established a $250,000 endowed fund for SUNY Buffalo State’s new Science and Mathematics Complex. The gift, distributed in $50,000 increments over five years, will go toward the repair and replacement of science equipment for the new building.

“The M&T scientific instrument maintenance and repair endowment will provide a dedicated source of funding to keep these newly equipped laboratories running smoothly,” said Mark Severson, dean of the School of Natural and Social Sciences. “We are grateful to M&T Bank for this very important gift that will allow student learning and research to move forward without interruption.”

The $100 million complex—a 224,000-square-foot, three-story facility—will house the Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences and Science Education, Mathematics, and Physics departments and the Great Lakes Center.

The first phase opened at the beginning of the spring semester. The second phase, scheduled for completion in 2015, will include a complete renovation of the existing Science Building's north wing. Phase three of the project will create a new state-of-the-art planetarium, greenhouse, labs, classrooms, and lecture halls.

Severson said he hopes the new complex will raise Buffalo State’s profile for the natural sciences and attract more students interested in pursuing careers in medicine and biotechnology.

The Science and Mathematics Complex gift is just one of numerous examples of M&T Bank’s generosity toward Buffalo State. M&T sponsors the Burchfield Penney Art Center’s “Second Friday” events, the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall’s “Great Performers Series,” and guest speakers at Buffalo State. M&T is sponsoring a lecture from Olympic speed skater and gold medalist Apolo Ohno at Buffalo State in April. Ticket information will be announced at a later date.

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Insertion Date for Daily Bulletin Feature:

March 7, 2013

Physics Gearing Up for Annual Olympics

norrisma1 — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 14:15:03 +0000

Author:

Mary A. Durlak

Published Date:

November 15, 2012

On Saturday, November 17, at 9:00 a.m., the Physics Department at Buffalo State and the Western New York Physics Teachers Alliance (WNYPTA) will host the seventh annual Physics Olympics. Its purpose is to encourage middle- and high-school students to continue their study of science.

"Many young students really love physics, and they enjoy thinking about interesting physics and engineering solutions," said David Henry, associate professor of elementary education and reading. Henry is an expert in teaching science and co-director of the Western New York Physics Teachers Alliance.

"However," Henry continued, "sometimes these students can feel isolated in their schools. This event lets them see that many of their peers share their interest."

Middle- and high-school students will compete in three different timed activities: the Toothpick Tower, the Egg Drop, and the Physics Regatta. The tower will be built out of toothpicks and straight straws, and it must be strong enough to hold about two ounces. "We’re not giving out too many details for this year’s egg drop and the regatta," said Henry. "The events will be timed, so it's important to work fast!"

Students from 18 area schools, including Hutch Tech (Hutchinson Central Technical High School in Buffalo), Nardin Academy, and the Williamsville Central School District, will take part. Buffalo State junior Steve Tarasec and first-year students Bridget Torsey and Hope Genco, recipients of the Robert A. and Dorothy Stender Sweet Physics Scholarships, will be on hand to answer questions about any of Buffalo State’s physics programs. The Sweet scholarship provides $2,500 a year, and is renewable for four years.

Schools often have only one physics teacher. WNYPTA provides an opportunity for them to meet and share challenges and solutions. Buffalo State’s physics programs include a well-regarded physics education program, and its faculty can provide expert professional development to high-school physics teachers.

"We want to show students who are interested in science that it can be a lot of fun," said Michael De Marco, professor and chair of physics at Buffalo State. "And we want to show them that we have a great program right here, with plenty of scholarship money available, along with professors teaching and mentoring undergraduate students."

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January Orientation Welcomes New Students

norrisma1 — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:20:34 +0000

Published Date:

January 18, 2012

Your first days at Buffalo State student will be a flurry of activity. Meeting your adviser, confirming your class schedule, buying textbooks, and locating classrooms will be just a few of the things you do as a new student.

January Orientation, Thursday, January 19, welcomes more than 650 new undergraduate students—75 new first-year students and 580 transfer students—to campus. The Orientation Office, with the aid of 30 current undergraduate and five graduate students, helps new students cross items off their “to-do lists” and introduces them to some of the unique opportunities Buffalo State has to offer.

“January Orientation gives new students the information needed to be successful at Buffalo State,” said Robert Mead-Colegrove, director of orientation and new student programs. “Students attend presentations from various offices on campus, meet with an adviser, and attend a resource fair.”

Also on the agenda for January Orientation: Workshops, including “Reduce Stress and Manage Your Time,” and “Student Exchange and Study Abroad”; small group activities with student orientation leaders; and an introduction to Buffalo State technology (ANGEL, Banner, Degree Navigator, and Gmail). Students and their guests will also familiarize themselves with the Financial Aid and Registrar's offices, Weigel Health Center, E. H. Butler Library, the Bengal Card Office, and many other college departments.

New to this semester’s orientation is the option for students who registered early to upload their own photos for their student ID and bus pass, allowing them to avoid the lines to have their picture taken.

“My ultimate goal is that students feel that Buffalo State was the right choice, and that they are ready for their first day of class,” Mead-Colegrove said. “In the past, many students and guests enjoyed the orientation and appreciated the small groups and time to talk to an adviser.”

January Orientation is mandatory for all new matriculated students. The event begins at 8:00 a.m. with a continental breakfast for participants in Rockwell Hall. An entire schedule of activities can be found on the Orientation Office’s website.

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Insertion Date for Daily Bulletin Feature:

January 19, 2012

Calculating the Splat Factor: Physics Olympics, November 19

norrisma1 — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 21:21:52 +0000

Author:

Mary A. Durlak

Published Date:

November 17, 2011

Some physicists will tell you that the study of physics is beautiful, or that physics is the key to understanding the universe in which we find ourselves living. Sometimes, though, physics is just plain fun.

Fun will be first and foremost on Saturday, November 19, at Buffalo State when the Physics Department and the Western New York Physics Teachers’ Alliance (WNYPTA) host the sixth annual Physics Olympics.

About 200 middle- and high-school students from 15 area schools will compete as teams in three events: egg bungee jumping, bridge-building, and guess-the-distance.

“The point of this,” said Dan MacIsaac, associate professor of physics, “is partly to teach, of course. But it’s also to show the students that there is a scientific community that they can join. We want to encourage students who are taking physics and science courses.”

David Henry, associate professor of elementary education and reading, teaches methods of teaching science and mathematics to Buffalo State education majors. He, like MacIsaac, is a proponent of developing scientific literacy among students in grades K through 12 by using classroom activities and other methods that are alternatives to a lecture-based class.

“We know this works,” said Henry. “Students learn about science and scientific thinking this way.” Teachers who participate in the WNYPTA learn and develop additional ways to bring science to life in their classrooms.

After the events are over on Saturday, participants enjoy a pizza party while waiting for the winners to be announced. “The competition is lighthearted,” said MacIsaac, “but there is an unmistakable satisfaction for the team whose egg doesn’t go splat.”

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$9.8 Million Program Aims to Change How Science Is Taught in Buffalo Schools

norrisma1 — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:37:30 +0000

Author:

Jerod Dahlgren

Published Date:

October 12, 2011

A coalition of regional partners has received $9.8 million from the National Science Foundation to expand a promising, teacher-focused initiative that aims to change how science is taught in Buffalo Public Schools.

The five-year program, led by the University at Buffalo, Buffalo State College, Buffalo Public Schools, and the Buffalo Museum of Science, is called the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Partnership (ISEP). The idea behind the initiative is to throw the community’s diverse resources behind reforming science education, primarily by improving teachers’ skills and knowledge.

Through ISEP, science and math teachers at 12 middle and high schools in the Buffalo Public Schools district will receive a wealth of new professional development opportunities. Chief among them: the chance to spend a summer conducting interdisciplinary research with local scientists.

These experiences will encourage educators to add interdisciplinary content to lessons, and to devote more class time to activities like experiments that emphasize problem-solving. This approach to teaching makes science more exciting for students, challenging them to think broadly and arrive at answers on their own.

Throughout the school year, ISEP teachers will receive support and mentoring from professional learning communities that include fellow teachers, museum educators, faculty from Buffalo State and UB, UB students, and local scientists and engineers.

“Buffalo State is proud to extend its initiatives in science education through the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Partnership,” said Buffalo State President Aaron Podolefsky. “We look forward to giving 60 Buffalo middle school teachers new tools to enhance student learning through summer courses in the physics and technology of energy and to expanding our summer science camps for Buffalo Public Schools students. We are pleased that the NSF grant will allow Buffalo State to work with the University at Buffalo, Buffalo Public Schools, the Buffalo Museum of Science and our supporting partners to strengthen the cradle-to-career education pipeline in the city of Buffalo.”

Buffalo State faculty supporting ISEP activities include: Daniel L. MacIsaac (pictured at podium), project co-principal investigator, and associate professor, physics; David S. Abbott, instructional support specialist, physics; Dara J. Dorsey, lecturer, earth sciences and science education; Kathleen A. Falconer, lecturer, elementary education and reading; Luanna S. Gomez, assistant professor, physics; Clark W. Greene, lecturer, technology; David R. Henry, associate professor, elementary education and reading; Catherine Lange, assistant professor, earth sciences and science education; James Mayrose, associate professor, technology; Joseph Zawicki, associate professor, earth sciences and science education; and Lowell Sylwester, lecturer of physics, and retired physics teacher from West Seneca West High School.

Ultimately, the goal is to improve teacher retention and student success in a high-needs district where performance in science and math falls well below the state average. If it works, ISEP will raise the number of students finishing high school with an interest in science, technology, engineering and math.

In addition to the four core partners, organizations supporting ISEP include Praxair Inc., Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute, the Western New York Service-Learning Coalition and the Buffalo Public Schools District Parent Coordinating Council. Pilot funding for the program came from a $485,000 grant from the John R. Oishei Foundation.

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