Biography
Taught High School Physics in Snowflake, Arizona and then Emery High School in Castle Dale, Utah for 19 years. In a rural high school up to 70% of graduating seniors had taken a physics class. Not all years was it 70% but that was the high and regularly we between 50% and 70% of the graduating seniors had taken physics.
I was given the opportunity to teach at BYU with the specific charge of working with physical science students who wanted to become secondary physical science teachers, (Physic, Chemistry, Geology and Physical Science composite teaching majors). Have had the opportunity to be part of the BYU physical science teacher preparation program that has lead the nation in physics teacher candidates graduating for many years now.
Research Interests
Teaching Physics, Secondary Physical Science Education, Chemistry, Earth Space Science, Geology and Physics in the Junior high and high schools. Elementary and Secondary Science Teacher outreach and Professional Development. Recently 2020 elected to Presidential Chain of American Association of Physics Teachers, AAPT. Will function in this presidential chain for 3 more years. Assume the role as AAPT President January 2023. Moved to AAPT Past President role January 2024.Teaching Interests
How students learn and how can teachers engage students in learning. How can we reach all students engaging them in learning science. Why when a student takes a first physics class they don't want more? That is my big question. How can we learn to teach so students want to comeback to class the next day. How can we teach physical science classes that help student want more, especially that first introduction to Physics, Chemistry, Earth Science and all Physical Science.Education
- M.A., Instructional Technology , Utah State University (1988)
- B.S., Math/Physics Education , Utah State University (1985)
- A.S., Pre-Engineering , College of Eastern Utah (1980)
Licenses and Certifications
- Utah State , Utah Secondary Teaching Licesnse (1985 - 2006)
Honors and Awards
- 2022 INSPIRING LEARNING AWARDS, Brigham Young University (2021 - 2022)
- 5+ Physics Teacher Preparation, AIP, AAPT, PTEC (2021 - 2022)
- 5 Plus Club, PTEC,AIP, AAPT (2020 - 2021)
- 5+ Club Physics Teacher Preparation, Physics Teaching Education Coalition (2019 - 2020)
- 5+ Club Physics Teacher Preparation, Physics Teaching Education Coalition , APS (2018 - 2019)
- 5+ Club Physics Teaching Education Coalition, Physics Teaching Education Coalition (PTEC) (2017 - 2018)
- 5+ Club Physics Teaching Education Coalition, PTEC (2017 - 2018)
- 5+ Club Physics Teaching Education Coalition, PTEC, American Institute of Physics (2017 - 2018)
- Homer L. Dodge Citation for Distinguished Service to AAPT, American Association of Physics Teachers (2017 - 2018)
- Karl Maeser Awardee Professional Teaching Faculty, Brigham Young University (2017 - 2018)
- Physics Master Teacher Leader, American Association of Physics Teachers (2017 - 2018)
- Outstanding Teacher with over 10 years experience, College of Physical and Mathematical Science (2016 - 2017)
- 5+ Club Physics Teaching Education Coalition, Physics Teaching Education Coalition (PTEC) (2016 - 2016)
- 5+ Club Physics Teaching Education Coalition, Physics Teaching Education Coalition (PTEC) (2015 - 2015)
- 5+ Club Physics Teaching Education Coalition, Physics Teaching Education Coalition (PTEC) (2014 - 2014)
- Dick Peterson Lifetime Service Award, Utah Science Teachers Association (2013 - 2013)
- Cluff Award, Brigham Young Unversity (2010 - 2010)
- Outstanding Higher Education Science Teacher, Utah Science Teachers Association (2008 - 2008)
- Outstanding Physics Teacher State of Utah, Utah Idaho Association of Physics Teachers (2000 - 2000)
- Outstanding Science Educator Award, Utah Science Teachers Association (2000 - 2000)
- Governor's Science Medal for Science and Technology, State of Utah (1998 - 1998)
- Physical Science Teacher of the Year Utah, Utah Science Teachers Association (1995 - 1995)
- Presidential Award in Science Teaching, Awarded President Bill Clinton (1994 - 1994)
- Utah Teacher of the year Runner up, State of Utah (1992 - 1992)
- Emery School District Teacher of the Year, Emery School DIstrict (1991 - 1991)
Memberships
- PTEC (2004 - Present)
- American Modeling Teachers Association (2001 - Present)
- Idaho/Utah AAPT Section (1995 - Present)
- American Association of Physics Teacher (1988 - Present)
- National Science Teacher Association (NSTA) (1988 - Present)
- Utah Science Teachers Assocation (USTA) (1988 - Present)
- American Institute of Physics (AIP) (2010 - 2011)
Professional Citizenship
- Committee/Council Member, Get the Facts Out (2018 - Present)
- Committee/Council Chair, American Association of Physics Teachers (2016 - Present)
- Other, Physics Teachers Resource Associate (2006 - Present)
- Committee/Council Chair, Rocky Mountain Space Grant Consortium (2006 - Present)
- Committee/Council Member, Secondary Science Education Curriculm Committee (2006 - Present)
- Other, AAPT--American Association of Physics Teachers (2021 - 2025)
- Officer (specify in Other), American Association of Physics Teachers (2021 - 2025)
- Officer (specify in Other), American Association of Physics Teachers (2020 - 2025)
- Committee/Council Member, Quantum for All (2022 - 2023)
- Officer (specify in Other), American Association of Physics Teachers (2022 - 2022)
- Officer, Utah Science Teacher Association (2020 - 2022)
- Conference-Related Role, AAPT (2022 - 2022)
- Officer (specify in Other), Utah Science Teachers Association (2009 - 2021)
- Other, Utah Science Teacher Association (2008 - 2021)
- Committee/Council Member, American Association of Physics Teachers (2016 - 2021)
- Committee/Council Chair, American Association of Physics Teachers (2018 - 2020)
- Other, National Science Teachers Association (2018 - 2019)
- Member, Utah State Board of Education (2018 - 2019)
- Member, Utah State Board of Education (2018 - 2019)
- Committee/Council Member, Physics Master Teacher, American Association of Physics Teachers (2016 - 2018)