The American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) was founded in 1930 for the purpose of "dissemination of knowledge of physics, particularly by way of teaching." There are more than 10,000 members in over 30 countries. AAPT publications include two
peer-reviewed journals, the ''
American Journal of Physics
The ''American Journal of Physics'' is a monthly, peer-reviewed scientific journal published by the American Association of Physics Teachers and the American Institute of Physics. The editor-in-chief is Beth Parks of Colgate University."Current ...
'' and ''
The Physics Teacher
''The Physics Teacher'' is a peer-reviewed academic journal published by AIP Publishing on behalf of the American Association of Physics Teachers covering the history and philosophy of physics, applied physics, physics education (curriculum de ...
''. The association has two annual National Meetings (winter and summer) and has regional sections with their own meetings and organization. The association also offers grants and awards for physics educators, including the Richtmyer Memorial Award,
Richtmeyer Memorial Award, AAPT website
/ref> and programs and contests for physics educators and students. It is headquartered at the American Center for Physics in College Park, Maryland
College Park is a city in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States, and is approximately four miles (6.4 km) from the northeast border of Washington, D.C. The population was 34,740 at the 2020 United States Census. It is best know ...
.
History
The American Association of Physics Teachers was founded on December 31, 1930, when forty-five physicists held a meeting during the joint APS
APS or Aps or aps or similar may refer to:
Education
* Abbottabad Public School
* Adarsh Public School, a public school in New Delhi, India
* Alamogordo Public Schools
* Albuquerque Public Schools, New Mexico, US school district
* Allendale Publ ...
-AAAS meeting in Cleveland specifically for that purpose.
The AAPT became a founding member of the American Institute of Physics after the other founding members were convinced of the stability of the AAPT itself after a new constitution for the AAPT was agreed upon.
Contests
The AAPT sponsors a number of competitions. The Physics Bowl, Six Flags
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is an American amusement park corporation, headquartered in Arlington, Texas. It has properties in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Six Flags owns the most theme parks and waterparks combined of any amu ...
' roller coaster
A roller coaster, or rollercoaster, is a type of amusement ride that employs a form of elevated railroad track designed with tight turns, steep slopes, and sometimes inversions. Passengers ride along the track in open cars, and the rides ar ...
contest, and the US Physics Team are just a few. The US physics team is determined by two preliminary exams and a week and a half long "boot camp." Each year, five members are selected to compete against dozens of countries in the International Physics Olympiad (IPHO).
See also
* ''The Physics Teacher
''The Physics Teacher'' is a peer-reviewed academic journal published by AIP Publishing on behalf of the American Association of Physics Teachers covering the history and philosophy of physics, applied physics, physics education (curriculum de ...
''
* Oersted Medal
* American Institute of Physics
* ''American Journal of Physics
The ''American Journal of Physics'' is a monthly, peer-reviewed scientific journal published by the American Association of Physics Teachers and the American Institute of Physics. The editor-in-chief is Beth Parks of Colgate University."Current ...
''
* Physics outreach
References
External links
American Association of Physics Teachers web page
AAPT sponsored events
at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro
{{Authority control
Physics education
Physics societies
Professional associations based in the United States
Academic organizations based in the United States
Organizations established in 1930
Educational organizations based in the United States
Teacher associations based in the United States
Education-related professional associations
1930 establishments in the United States