SHAPE
Symposium on Horizons in Astronomy and Physics Education
Department
of Physics and Astronomy
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Since 2008 the UNC-BEST program has invited North
Carolina physics (and other) teachers to join us for a symposium on current
advances in physics, astronomy, and the teaching of these subjects in secondary
schools. The symposia feature talks by leaders in the field about
astronomy and physics research, the application of physics in a variety of
contexts, and physics and astronomy pedagogy. There are
also hands-on activities and tours of research labs in the UNC-CH Physics
& Astronomy Department.
Teachers who come to SHAPE have the opportunity
to share ideas and learn from other teachers from across North Carolina in an
informal atmosphere. Those who attend the entire symposium are eligible to
receive Continuing Education Unit credits.
To see list of speakers and hands-on activities from recent symposia, look here.
Presentations at SHAPE 2017 will include
Teaching Nanobiophysics Concepts Using Model Building Activities by Prof. Mike Falvo (UNC-CH),
The Dawn of Gravitational Wave Astronomy by Prof. Chuck Evans (UNC-CH),
Physics of our planet: factors influencing the Earth's climate by Prof. Jason West (UNC-CH), and
Beyond Elementary Science: Opportunities for High School students at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
by Whit McMillan from the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center. Finally, There will be a workshop on
LEAP (Learner-centered Environment for Algebra-based Physics) entitled LEAPing into Science led by
Prof. Paula Engelhardt of Tennessee Tech.
The next symposium will take place on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at the Department of Physics and Astronomy on
the campus of the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the activities will
end at 5:00 p.m. The registration fee of $20 (payable in advance or at the
start of the symposium) covers all symposium materials as well as lunch.
We look
forward to seeing you at SHAPE!
To register for the symposium, follow this
link. Detailed information about the symposium logistics will be sent to
all registrants.