Southland Physics Instructors to Meet

A group of physics instructors from throughout Southern California will gather at Mission College this weekend--not to unlock the secrets of the universe but rather to explore the mystery of what makes college students tick.

Mission physics instructor Richard Rains and about 20 other physics instructors, mostly from community colleges, are expected to meet on the Sylmar campus today to discuss new techniques in teaching physics as well as ways to attract more students to the discipline.

“In general, enrollment in physics has been going down in the United States since the 1970s and after the end of the Apollo space program,” Rains said. “Not only do we need more physics students, we need to increase the number of women and minorities.”

“Without a base of physicists doing research, this country will be left behind,” Rains said.

The event is part of an on-going program called “Two-Year Colleges in the 21st Century: Breaking Down Barriers.” The program, funded by a four-year, $1.8-million grant from the National Science Foundation, is sponsored by area members of the American Assn. of Physics Teachers and is designed to improve physics education by promoting interaction among teachers, Rains said.

Today’s program will include a talk by UCLA physics professor Robin Bruinsma, who will discuss her school’s physics curriculum, which was recently redesigned to be more appealing to prospective students.

In addition to serving as a forum for physics education, the event will give physics instructors a much-needed sense of connectedness, Rains said.

“Usually there is only one or maybe there are two physics instructors on a campus,” he said. “At the seminar we will have a chance to reduce the isolation that many of us feel.”

Although geared toward physics instructors, the event, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., also is open to the public. For more information, call (818) 364-7702.