Physics Teacher Preparation Program at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

The Physics Teacher Preparation Program at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is a collaboration between the STEM Education Center and the Physics Department that leverages WPI Project Based Learning (PBL) curriculum and significant Physics Teacher Education Coalition (PhysTEC) resources. As a PhysTEC supported site, WPI has been able to implement several key components identified as effective practices at other PhysTEC sites, such as a Teacher-in-Residence to serve as a role model, a Peer Learning Assistant program that includes pedagogical training, a regional physics teacher network, and utilization of the Get the Facts Out resources to promote teaching careers. In addition to generating interest in high school physics teaching careers, an interest in Physics Education Research has also emerged. We will present an overview of our program and that allows students to complete an Initial Teaching Licensure with the BS Physics major at WPI.