摘要:

Some months ago, at the initiative of the Division of Physical Sciences of the National Research Council, plans were set in motion for a small gathering of physicists, educators, and representatives of industry and government to consider what concerted action might be taken to strengthen physics education in the United States as a means for improving both the quality and the quantity of physicists. The resulting Conference on the Production of Physicists, sponsored jointly by the National Research Council and the American Institute of Physics, took place from March 31st through April 2nd at the Greenbrier Hotel in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

ISSN:0031-9228    

DOI:10.1063/1.3062068

出版商:AIP    

年代:1955

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

The present shortage of physicists and the anticipated worsening of this situation in the future must be the concern of all career physicists who acknowledge a responsibility to their profession and to the well‐being of the nation. This must be a compelling, personal concern even though it is obvious that the situation has so many aspects, extending throughout the entire educational and research activities of the nation, that physicists acting alone cannot solve the problem.

ISSN:0031-9228    

DOI:10.1063/1.3062040

出版商:AIP    

年代:1955

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

In agreeing to address this conference on the subject “Critique of Teaching Objectives—College” I had wondered whether this particular area was perhaps a little apart from our principal consideration, namely that of the improvement of high school science as a means of augmenting the production of future physicists. Now that I have listened to Fletcher Watson's report about the extremely small amount of college physics studied by the average high school teacher who is called on to teach physics, it looms as a very important aspect of our problem. Since it is evident that the general college physics courses provide essentially the only contact of the average high school physics teachers with this subject, it is of deepest importance to inquire as to whether the quality of such college physics courses is not to a large extent reflected in the manner in which high school physics is taught. Let me make two points clear at the very outset: first, I intend to be blunt and perhaps even brutal in my criticism of general college physics courses, and secondly, I wish to make it clear that I am excluding from such criticism those of my colleagues present at this conference who are engaged in teaching such courses. Now that I have cleared the atmosphere, I will drop all semblance of tact and state categorically that in my judgment the average elementary college physics course falls far short of even modest intellectual standards and fails utterly to satisfy present day requirements in physics education. This situation is deplorable, to say the least. I am amazed, not so much that high school physics leaves so much to be desired, but that it is as good as it is, when one considers the low quality of beginning college physics courses and the extraordinary difficulty which a high school teacher faces in keeping up even partially with the rapid advances in physics. The lack of professional competence of high school teachers of physics is undoubtedly due in no small measure to the mediocre standards of the average college physics course, and these in turn stem in no small degree from the unprecedented rapid rate of growth of physics and its applications, as well as to the sharp increase in complexity and subtlety of modern physical principles.

ISSN:0031-9228    

DOI:10.1063/1.3062041

出版商:AIP    

年代:1955

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

Established three years ago by the National Science Teachers Association, the Foundation has accumulated experience in trying to do what industry, professional societies, and science teachers suggest might improve science teaching. In addition, the strengths and weaknesses in the Foundation's design are becoming clarified. Consider the program first.

ISSN:0031-9228    

DOI:10.1063/1.3062042

出版商:AIP    

年代:1955

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

A nationwide shortage; More than a thousand; The Scientific Manpower Commission; The Soviet Union; The following communication.

ISSN:0031-9228    

DOI:10.1063/1.3062043

出版商:AIP    

年代:1955

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

The University of Denver; The Fund for the Advancement of Education; Eastman Kodak Company; Twenty‐seven high; The National Research Council of Canada.

ISSN:0031-9228    

DOI:10.1063/1.3062046

出版商:AIP    

年代:1955

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

The Atomic Energy Commission; Popularized Science Demonstrations; Fisk University.

ISSN:0031-9228    

DOI:10.1063/1.3062049

出版商:AIP    

年代:1955

数据来源: AIP

ISSN:0031-9228    

DOI:10.1063/1.3062051

出版商:AIP    

年代:1955

数据来源: AIP

ISSN:0031-9228    

DOI:10.1063/1.3062053

出版商:AIP    

年代:1955

数据来源: AIP

ISSN:0031-9228    

DOI:10.1063/1.3062055

出版商:AIP    

年代:1955

数据来源: AIP