Rowan’s PhysTEC Program: Successes and Challenges

Rowan University is in the middle of a three-year PhysTEC project to increase our production of highly qualified physics teachers for New Jersey schools. We have seen a rapid growth in our physics major population in recent years, and we are working to translate this into increased numbers of teacher candidates as well. The main thrusts of the project are holding targeted advising and information sessions for physics majors, providing research opportunities for undergraduates focusing on physics education, creating a Rowan Area Physics Teachers network, and growing the learning assistant (LA) program in physics (including placing two LAs in a local high school classroom). We report on the various successes and challenges of these efforts. We are particularly interested in the effects of the LA program both on the LAs (in terms of content understanding and dispositions toward teaching) and on the students in classes that have an LA.