17 past events
June 08, 2022
A session of the 2022 CAP Congress
Presented by David Craig
Abstract: Physicists study subjects such as quantum mechanics and relativity that capture the popular imagination, yet physics departments often struggle to recruit and retain enough students to satisfy cost-conscious administrations. The Effective Practices for Physics Programs (EP3) Initiative of the American Physical Society and the American Association of Physics Teachers has tapped the expertise and experience of over 250 members of the physics community to create a Guide to help physics programs face challenges and enact change. In this workshop we’ll review some of the lessons Canadian physics departments can take from the EP3 Guide in order to help themselves build vibrant and growing undergraduate physics programs.
A session of the Annual RHIC & AGS Users' Meeting
Presented by Sam McKagan
A Poster at the 2022 IUSE Summit: Propelling Change: Moving From Strategy to Effective and Equitable Undergraduate STEM Education
Authors: David Craig, Michael Jackson, Robert Hilborn, Chandra Turpen, Michael Wittmann
Abstract: The new economics of higher education, changing demographics, and the economic wake of COVID-19 compel universities to reconsider how education survives and thrives. The Effective Practices for Physics Programs (EP3) initiative (EP3guide.org) is a collaborative effort between the American Physical Society (APS) and American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) designed to help departments improve through continued self-reflection while drawing on practices deemed effective, as demonstrated either through research or by community practice. The Guide includes, for example, the Toolkit for Departments Under Threat, to help departments facing threats to their existence, as well as guidance on curriculum, pedagogy, advising and mentoring, recruiting and retention, research and internship opportunities, equity and diversity, scientific skills development, career preparation, staffing, resources, faculty professional development, how to be an effective chair, and more. The Guide also offers a wealth of guidance on supporting equity in physics departments, both in a section on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and interwoven throughout all sections. We have published over 20 of the planned 36 sections of the Guide, including over 2400 individual strategies. Over 230 individuals in the greater physics community have contributed to and/or reviewed materials for the peer-reviewed Guide. As development of the inaugural edition of the EP3 guide concludes, our focus turns toward implementation. What can departments do to identify valuable elements and strategies within the guide’s substantial material and adapt them for implementation within the context and constraints of their local environment? We have held workshops, often for departments under threat, and have done site visits to institutions to help with recruitment and retention of underrepresented students. Several cohorts of faculty have joined in Departmental Action Learning Institutes, which support faculty members and their departments in implementing significant changes to their undergraduate programs. Over time, the guide and associated supporting activities and tools will impact nearly every physics department in the USA. The continuous cycle of improvement implicit in the guide's design will impact courses ranging from introductory physics through advanced courses required of all physics majors. This project will impact a large fraction of pre-service high school physics teachers, physics majors, and ultimately most students studying engineering or other sciences that require a physics course. This poster will provide a brief overview of the EP3 guide, describing its development, structure, and how the guide’s content will be updated and improved going forward. We also present tips and strategies for using the guide.
May 23, 2022 | 02:00 PM–07:45 PM EST
A session of the National Academy of Sciences: Roundtable on Systemic Change in Undergraduate STEM Education Spring Hybrid Meeting
EP3 Program Manager Kathryne Woodle participates in a roundtable discussion about connecting stakeholders in education, government agencies, and professional societies to explore how the changing landscape of the workplace and the workforce has implications for reform of undergraduate STEM education.
April 12, 2022 | 02:45 PM–04:33 PM EST
A session of the APS April Meeting
Presented by Joel C. Corbo
Abstract: As part of the Effective Practices for Physics Programs (EP3) initiative, a joint effort of APS and the American Association of Physics Teachers, we are piloting Departmental Action Leadership Institutes (DALIs), which support faculty members and their departments in implementing changes to their undergraduate programs. Starting in January 2021, two faculty members from each of five departments joined the first DALI. They were charged with leading cross-constituency teams in their departments to engage in a change effort, following the Departmental Action Team (DAT) model. This DALI started with a virtual kickoff workshop followed by twice monthly meetings and the opportunity for individual consultations with the DALI facilitators. These activities were designed to to help the DALI participants engage in a change effort, support a high-functioning team, interface with external stakeholders, and develop change agency. The first cohort wrapped up after a year, the second is ongoing, and two more are scheduled to launch this fall. In this presentation, we will describe the goals and structure of the pilot DALI, present some initial feedback from our participants, and describe our plans to document the impacts on participants and their departments.
A session of the APS March Meeting 2022
Presented by Michael Jackson
Abstract: The Effective Practices for Physics Programs (EP3) initiative (EP3guide.org) is a collaborative effort between APS and AAPT designed to assist departments improve through continued self-reflection while drawing on practices deemed effective, as demonstrated either through research or by community practice. As development of the inaugural edition of the EP3 guide concludes, our focus turns toward implementation. What can departments do to identify potential nuggets within the guide’s substantial material and adapt them for implementation within the context and constraints of their local environment?
This presentation will start with a brief overview of the EP3 guide, that includes its development, structure, and how the guide’s content will be updated and improved going forward. Following this overview, we will discuss tips and strategies for using the guide. This may include how to (a) frame the local problem or concern, (b) identify relevant sections of the guide, (c) recognize and promote strategies the department is already engaging in, (d) select potential directions to consider, (e) facilitate conversations regarding issues surrounding implementation (e.g., resources, space), (f) assess the effectiveness of the initiatives undertaken, and (g) design efforts to change your program in a sustainable way.
February 24, 2022 | 09:00 PM–10:00 PM EST
A session of the Accelerating Systemic Change Network Working Group Meetings and Informal Discussions
Presented by Joel C. Corbo and David A. Craig
Abstract: How can individual departments gain expertise in leading change locally?
We are piloting Departmental Action Leadership Institutes (DALIs), which provide intensive support for departments in implementing changes to their undergraduate programs. DALIs are designed to scale this intensive support to the national level; the same model could be used to support multiple departments and programs at a single institution as they engage in change efforts. To accomplish this scaling, two change leaders from each of five departments join the DALI. These change leaders are charged with leading cross-constituency teams in their departments to engage in a change effort, following the Departmental Action Team (DAT) model. Two cohorts of five departments each are currently participating in a DALI, the first of which launched in January 2021. Each DALI begins with a virtual kickoff workshop followed by twice monthly meetings and the opportunity for individual consultations with the DALI facilitators. These activities are designed to help the DALI participants engage in a change effort, support a high-functioning team, interface with external stakeholders, and develop change agency. In this presentation, we will describe the goals and structure of the pilot DALI, present some initial feedback from our participants, and provide opportunities for the audience to reflect on how this model might be useful at their institutions.
A session of the AAPT Virtual Summer Meeting
Presented by Sam McKagan, Theodore Hodapp, Joel Corbo, Jim Borgardt, Willie Rockward and Rob Dalka
Collecting effective practices across all areas of a physics department’s operations is a daunting task for any chair or faculty member bent on improving their program. EP3 (Effective Practices for Physics Programs) is a community-sourced guide to help chairs and members of their department improve. The guide includes sections on topics including recruitment, retention, introductory-courses, laboratory and computational skills, undergraduate research, culture and climate, equity and inclusion, leadership, program review, capstone experiences and much more. Guide development is ongoing, but a substantial portion is now available at EP3guide.org and the national task force is set to complete all sections by early 2022. This talk will provide an overview of the guide, its design, and how to begin to use the practices. Our interactive session will provide an opportunity for attendees to provide feedback on design and content, and to see how you can use the guide most effectively.
A session of the Transforming Institutions 2021 Virtual Conference
Presented by David Craig and Joel Corbo
Abstract: The APS Effective Practices for Physics Programs (EP3) project aims to help physics programs respond to challenges with a collection of knowledge, experience, and proven good practice disseminated via the EP3 Guide. As part of the project, we are piloting Departmental Action Leadership Institutes (DALIs), which support faculty members and their departments in implementing significant changes to their undergraduate programs. Starting in January 2021, two faculty members from each of five departments joined the first DALI. These faculty members were charged with creating and leading cross-constituency teams in their departments to engage in a change effort, following the Departmental Action Team (DAT) model. This DALI started with an intensive virtual kickoff workshop, followed by twice monthly meetings and the opportunity for individual consultations with the DALI facilitators. These activities were designed to to help the DALI participants learn about and implement critical aspects of engaging in a change effort (e.g., defining a vision, setting goals, gathering and analyzing data, assessing results), of supporting a high-functioning team (e.g., recruiting diverse team members, managing conflict and power differentials), and of interfacing with stakeholders outside the team (e.g., cultivating allies, managing resistance). These are all practices that align with the literature on organizational change and effective teams, both within and beyond the higher education context. In this presentation, we will describe the goals, structure, and curriculum of the pilot DALI. We will also present some initial feedback from our participants about their experiences with the DALI and with leading their change efforts and describe our long-term plans to systematically document the impacts of DALI on participants and their departments.
June 04, 2021
A session of the 2021 Physics Department Chairs Conference
Presented by Jim Borgardt and Courtney Lannert
Guidance in the Toolkit for Departments Under Threat was sourced from over 50 interviews with administrators and physics faculty representing a wide range of institution types and experiencing varying threat levels. While many thematic patterns emerged, one lesson is that each department represents a unique ecosystem. There is no silver bullet: some departments doing “all the right things” still find themselves under serious threat, and a tactic that has been effective at one department may be ineffective at others. However, while there are circumstances out of a department’s control, we believe there are opportunities to improve one’s standing within the institution and to positively influence any potential decisions.
June 04, 2021
A session of the 2021 Physics Department Chairs Conference
Presented by Joel Corbo and David Craig
As part of the APS Effective Practices for Physics Programs (EP3) project, we are piloting Departmental Action Leadership Institutes (DALIs), which support faculty members and their departments in implementing significant changes to their undergraduate programs. The DALIs are designed to help participants support their local change teams in engaging in a change effort, functioning well as a team, and interfacing with stakeholders outside the team. In this session, we will describe the goals, structure, and curriculum of the pilot DALI, present some initial feedback from our participants, and answer questions about how your department can apply to be part of the next DALI.
June 03, 2021
A session of the 2021 Physics Department Chairs Conference
Presented by Theodore Hodapp and Michael Jackson
Abstract: In these uncertain times, many departments find themselves under threat in a number of ways. The Effective Practices for Physics Programs (EP3) guide and Toolkit for Departments Under Threat are available to provide insights into strengthening your department and looking to strategies that make physics highly relevant in the changing student demographic and financial landscape of higher education. We will briefly review guide and toolkit content that focuses on critical areas such as recruitment, retention, advising/mentoring, climate/culture, program review, strategic planning, implementing change, and tips for effective leadership. This presentation will identify tools for implementing change and strategies for focusing efforts that will allow departments to position themselves as innovators and leaders within the institution.
April 16, 2021 | 06:00 PM–08:00 PM CST
A session of the APS April Meeting
In these uncertain times, many departments find themselves under threat in a number of ways. The Effective Practices for Physics Programs (EP3) guide and Toolkit for Departments Under Threat are available to provide insights into strengthening your department and looking to strategies that make physics highly relevant in the moving target that is higher education. We will review guide and toolkit content that focuses on critical areas such as recruitment, retention, advising/mentoring, climate/culture, program review, strategic planning, implementing change, and tips for effective leadership. This workshop will provide tools for implementing change and strategies for focusing efforts that will allow departments to position themselves as innovators and leaders within the institution. Prior to attending today's session please explore the content found on the EP3 website.
Speakers: James Borgardt (Juniata College), David Craig (Oregon State University), Theodore Hodapp (APS), Courtney Lannert (Smith College, U-Mass Amherst)
Schedule:
2:00-2:15 pm CT Overview of the new Effective Practices for Physics Programs (EP3) Guide (Hodapp)
2:15-2:55 pm CT Using the EP3 Guide to discuss challenges and potential initiatives focused on Retention of Undergraduate Physics Majors (Craig)2:55-3:00 pm CT Break
3:00-3:15 pm CT The EP3 Departmental Action Leadership Institutes (DALIs) – Supporting departments in using the EP3 Guide to undertake significant, sustainable change efforts (Craig)
3:15-4:00 pm CT APS Toolkit for departments under threat (Borgardt/Lannert)
April 08, 2021 | 05:00 PM EST
A session of the 2021 SEA-Change Webinar
Presented by Willie Rockward (Morgan State University)
Abstract: The Effective Practices for Physics Programs (EP3) guide, produced by the American Physical Society (APS) in collaboration with the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), aims to help physics programs respond to challenges with a collection of knowledge, experience, and proven good practice. The Guide includes a set of effective practices and guidelines for self-evaluation suitable for departmental review. It includes guidance on curriculum, pedagogy, advising and mentoring, recruiting and retention, research and internship opportunities, equity and diversity, scientific skills development, career preparation, staffing, resources, faculty professional development, and more. This webinar will focus on how you can use the EP3 Guide to support equity goals in your program. The Guide offers a wealth of guidance on supporting equity in physics departments, both in a section on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and interwoven throughout all sections.
Classification: Presentation, Virtual Event
March 16, 2021 | 08:00 PM CST
A session of the APS March Meeting
Abstract: In these uncertain times, many departments find themselves under threat in a number of ways. The Effective Practices for Physics Programs (EP3) guide and Toolkit for Departments Under Threat are available to provide insights into strengthening your department and looking to strategies that make physics highly relevant in the moving target that is higher education. We will review guide and toolkit content that focuses on critical areas such as recruitment, retention, advising/mentoring, climate/culture, program review, strategic planning, implementing change, and tips for effective leadership. This workshop will provide tools for implementing change and strategies for focusing efforts that will allow departments to position themselves as innovators and leaders within the institution.
Classification: Workshop
March 05, 2021 | 08:00 PM EST
A session of the 2021 PhysTEC Conference
Presented by Theodore Hodapp (APS) and David Craig (Oregon State)
Abstract: Many physics departments are facing threats of closure, consolidation, or other more dramatic shifts due to economic and demographic forces on higher education. The Effective Practice for Physics Programs (EP3) Guide is an effort by the American Physical Society in collaboration with the American Association of Physics Teachers to provide a synthesis of knowledge and scholarship that informs improvements of all areas of undergraduate physics departments. Teacher education can be a potent component of a comprehensive plan to reinforce the quality of a program, increase majors, and provide directly realizable benefits to the surrounding community. This interactive discussion will provide attendees with an introduction to the Guide, a look at recently published initial sections, and some strategies for using the Guide to improve your programs. We will welcome feedback on ways to make this valuable resource available more broadly and especially any improvements we can make to strengthen our offerings that support teacher preparation.
Classification: Presentation, Virtual Event
February 04, 2021 | 05:00 PM EST
A session of the APS Annual Leadership Meeting (ALM)
Presented by Bob Birgeneau (Berkeley), Jim Borgardt (Juniata), David Craig (Oregon State), Mike Dubson (UC Boulder), Frances Hellman (Berkeley), Theodore Hodapp (APS), Michael Jackson (Millersville), Mary James (Reed), Courtney Lannert (Smith College/UMass Amherst), Cathy Mader (Hope), Kevin Pitts (UIUC), Willie Rockward (Morgan State)
Moderators: Frances Hellman (Berkeley) and Theodore Hodapp (APS)
The new economics of higher education, changing demographics, and the economic wake of COVID-19 compel universities to reconsider how education survives and thrives. Join us for perspectives from faculty and administrative leaders, followed by small group discussions on how physics departments can take a proactive stance to adapt, grow, and thrive in this new environment.
Parallel Sessions Topics include:
Classification: Presentation, Virtual Event