High School Physics Teacher Grant
It is the goal of the AAPT to encourage high school teachers to experiment and improve on their teaching practices. It is our belief that as teaching practice improves, then physics enrollment and excitement among students increase. As a result, we offer the High School Physics Teacher Grant. We hope that this grant can provide the funds to kick start the implementation of these practices.
The grant(s) are given each year to teachers whose proposal meets the goal of the grant. That is, the procedure should result in better teaching practice, student understanding and interest, and/or increased enrollment. Also, the proposal should contain some innovative ideas. For example, the proposal may use a new teaching method or an adaptation of an existing idea.
- The applications will be judged by a committee of physics educators.
- AAPT has budgeted $1,000 ($100 to $500 per award) to be divided among grant awardees.
- Grants will be awarded by February and winners will be announced during the Ceremonial Session at the AAPT Winter Meeting.
- If an awardee presents a paper on the project at a national AAPT meeting within one year of receiving the grant, AAPT will contribute $200 toward the teacher’s travel expenses.
- Submitter must be a national member of AAPT.
- Completed grant proposals must be received by December 1.
- The proposal must contain the following:
- Title Page
This should include the name of the proposal, the names(s) of teacher(s) submitting the proposal and the AAPT Membership ID Number of the primary submitter.
Clearly state the goal of the proposal. The objective should show that the proposal is in line with the goals of the grant as stated above.
Explain how you will accomplish the objective stated?
Approximate the dates for all phases of the proposal.
- Itemized Budget Request
Detail what funding you will need to complete the proposal. Note that the grant funds cannot be used for travel or for salaries. Indicate the portion of the funds you are requesting from AAPT. Also indicate any other sources of funding that will be used to cover any expenses beyond what the grant will provide.
Explain how you plan to evaluate your proposal. Explain what will demonstrate a successful outcome. Explain how you will submit the final evaluation to the High School Committee Chair (e.g., by letter, by email, or by fax).
- Letter of Support from School Administration
Answer the following questions: Does your administration value and support your proposal? Are they willing to pay any additional expenses? Are they willing to give you the time you need to complete the proposal? Note: The letter must be mailed (on school letterhead) or emailed directly from your school Administrator to the Chair of the Committee on Physics in High Schools (see address below). Each grant recipient is given one year to complete the project and to submit a final report to the High School Committee Chair.
Email or mail your proposal to Elizabeth Holsenbeck, Chair of the Committee on Physics in High Schools, Alabama State University, 915 South Jackson St., PO Box 271, Montgomery, AL 36101-0271 or firstname.lastname@example.org.
Application may be downloaded as a PDF or call the AAPT office at 301-209-3340 or email at email@example.com
List of Award Winners
Liviu Paul Haiducu, Avon, IN; "The Power of Physics"
Mark F. Vondracek, Evanson, IL; "Physics Now, and Why We Care"
Gary Mansergh and Scott Shaffer, Andover, MN; "Using Podcast Technology to Increase Learning in Physics"
Kathy Mirakovits, Portage, MI; "Applying Physics Concepts to Motor Vehicle Accident Investigation"
Jaime Stasiorowski, Deerfield, IL; "Make It-Learn It-Teach It: Physics Phun for Phreshman"
Mary Jo Parker, Conroe, TX; "6th Grade Mentoring: Making Physics Fun"
Diana Hall, Ottawa, ON; "World Year of Physics Art Project"
Robert McDowell, Mobile, AL; "Let Me Show You What We Did in Physics Yesterday"
Sherry Marshall, Oklahoma City, OK; "Catapulting Physics to the Future"
Judy M. Schmidt, Oak Creek, WI; "The Physics Lab of Illusions"
Stacy Klein, Nashville, TN; "Understanding Electric Fields - A Visual Approach"
Mark Vondracek, Evanston, IL; "Getting Physics to a Larger Community"
David Applegate, Falls Church, VA; "Laser Holography: System Design and Implementation"
Thomas O'Neill, Fishersville, VA; "Talking with Light: Simple Fiber Optics"
Cathy Ezrailson, Conroe, TX; "Optical Recognition Palm Robot"
William Reitz, North Canton, OH; "Body Sense—Understanding the Human Body in Motion"