"The purpose of science education is no longer simply to train that tiny fraction of the population who will become
the next generation of scientists. We need a more scientifically literate populace to address the global challenges that
humanity now faces ... In short, we now need to make science education effective and relevant for a large and necessarily
more diverse fraction of the population." Carl Weiman, 2009, UBC, [winner of 2001 Physics Nobel Prize]
In his role as a highly respected scientist and visionary, Professor Weiman tirelessly espouses the promise of physics
education research (PER). Much as Galileo and Newton ushered in the 'age of reason', Weiman sees the PER community as
moving science education out if its 'dark age'.
The OAPT began our PER drive several years ago, importing Joe Redish, Dan MacIsaac and Kathleen Falconer as keynote speakers
from U.S. PER centres. Conferences followed at the U of T interactive labs with David Harrison and Jason Harlow, and at
McMaster U featuring their passionate and progressive team of physics and astronomy professors.
This year we shift the keynote focus to provide examples of how OAPT members have turned PER research into practice
in their high school classrooms. Dave Doucette will elaborate on Carl Weiman's rationale for change, Glenn Wagner will
demonstrate techniques to achieve this change, and Chris Meyer will reveal how change has played out in his physics
classrooms. The vision they outline will provide a framework for the PER workshops led by these three and many others.
This conference will ensure our OAPT membership remains solidly on the crest of this reform wave. Don't miss it!
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