Re: AAPT meeting

[John Clement <clement@HAL-PC.ORG>]

Any physics teacher could profit by attending some of the phyaics education
research sessions.  They deal with methods of teaching that have proven to
be more effective than the traditional methods.  Some of the most valuable
information comes by speaking to the various researchers.  Unfortunately
many will not be there during the workshops.  I might mention that there is
a session on Monday about education research done by and in the high school
setting.  Sometimes a boring title conceals an absolutely riveting session,
and then there are the reverse cases.  Pick a session or just a single talk
that might cover things that you could find useful or might be interesting.
Beyond that it is often the luck of the draw.  I would recommend staying at
least for 2 of the 3 days.  Of course there is also the special PER session
which runs at the end!

As far as saving money goes, you can save a lot of food money by attending
the "free" receptions, and the vendor displays often have some breakfast
food.  You can save money on the hotel by sharing a room, or just get on the
web and find an alternative within about 1/2 mile.  My school will pay for
some meetings, especially if I manage to get the price down, so I understand
how important the cost is.

I think that some meetings can be donwers, but I have found the opportunity
to discuss things with peers at AAPT to be invigorating.

John M. Clement
Houston

> -----Original Message-----
> From: phys-l@lists.nau.edu: Forum for Physics Educators
> [mailto:PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu]On Behalf Of David Strasburger-fac
> Sent: Monday, June 18, 2001 8:11 AM
> To: PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu
> Subject: AAPT meeting
>
>
> Greetings -
>
> Are there PHYS-L subscribers who have been to AAPT meetings in the past
> and can make suggestions to one who has never attended this event?
>
> I plan to go to the meeting for the first time this summer.  I am making
> the trip to Rochester in order to attend several workshops being taught in
> the weekend before the meeting gets into full swing.   I'd like to make
> travel plans now so I can get a cheaper ticket, but try as I might I can't
> squeeze a lot of meaning out of the Announcer or the AAPT web site.  It's
> hard to tell how interesting the sessions are likely to be, or how much
> this is just a schmooze-fest.  If I plan to skip town on Monday am I
> likely to be kicking myself over something I'll miss in the coming week?
> Are there particular must-see elements to this event?
>
> AAPT has a 'first-timers' program and says they will give guidance to
> novices, but I suspect that the guidance will come from people who are
> already pretty rah-rah about big professional meetings.  Ordinarily I have
> pretty low expectations for conferences.  I'm making this trip to get
> practical, technical advice relating to two curricular projects I have
> already in the works.  I like to meet colleagues, but I like it better
> when they are local.  It's rare that I go to big teachers' meeting and
> rarer still that I come away inspired, but it _has_ happened....
>
> David Strasburger
> Physics Teacher/Science Department Technology Coordinator
> Noble & Greenough School