American Association of Physics TeachersAAPT was established in 1930 with the fundamental goal of ensuring the "dissemination of knowledge of physics, particularly by way of teaching." Founders, Homer L. Dodge, Paul E. Klopsteg, and William S. Webb, led the effort to organize the first association dedicated to improving physics education. Today that vision is supported by members around the world.
Southern California - American Association of Physics TeachersThe American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) is a national organization whose mission is to enhance the understanding and appreciation of physics through teaching.
The Southern California section (SCAAPT) supports the mission of the AAPT via our workshops, biannual meetings and other events. The SCAAPT welcomes the participation of anyone interested in physics and physics teaching, but especially Southern California area high school and college physics teachers. The activities of SCAAPT are supported solely through meeting fees and volunteer work of its members. We are not supported financially by the national organization.
California Science Teachers AssociationCSTA's mission is to promote high quality science education. CSTA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) membership organization that:
Represents science educators statewide—in every science discipline at every grade level, Kindergarten through University.
Demonstrates leadership in science education in the state by organizing and participating in statewide reform initiatives, and provides leadership opportunities for members who wish to serve on state advisory committees, including framework, standards, and textbook committees.
Works to ensure that the interests of science educators are represented at the state level, with legislators and state education policy-makers. Learn about some successes achieved on your behalf, and what our current policy priorities are.
Publishes California Classroom Science, a bi-monthly e-newspaper packed with news, information, resources, ideas, and activities of current interest to science educators.
Sponsors the California Science Education Conference, the largest state conference designed specifically for science educators statewide.
Recognizes excellence by sponsoring awards programs for both students and teachers.
Is supported by local and subject area science educator groups, and promotes their membership and activities.
CSTA invites membership from elementary, middle school, high school, and college teachers and informal science educators, and provides representation for all levels on our Board of Directors.
National Science Teacher AssociationThe National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), founded in 1944 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, is the largest organization in the world committed to promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA's current membership of 50,000 includes science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in and committed to science education.
Physics Teacher Education CoalitionThe mission of PhysTEC is to improve and promote the education of future physics teachers.
PhysTEC is a partnership between the American Physical Society (APS) and the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT). Since 2001, PhysTEC has helped universities transform their physics teacher education programs into national models. The project is funded primarily by the National Science Foundation, and has received significant funds from the APS's 21st Century Campaign, as well as direct and in-kind support from each of its partner institutions.
The project includes two sets of institutions: PhysTEC Supported Sites and the broader Physics Teacher Education Coalition. Supported sites develop their physics teacher preparation programs into national models by implementing a set of Key Components that project leaders have identified as critical to success in physics teacher preparation. The Coalition is a national network of institutions committed to developing and promoting excellence in physics and physical science teacher preparation.
The project disseminates its results and reaches out to the physics community through publications and presentations, videos, and a variety of conferences and workshops. To expand its reach, the project has developed collaborations with other organizations, including UTeach, the American Chemical Society, and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities.
