United States

AAPT SM 20

Successes and Challenges in Distance Learning Mechanics Labs

undergraduate physics labs

distance learning

AAPT® is a strong professional physics science society dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in physical science education.

Winter and Summer National Meetings:
These National Meetings, held each winter and summer, are opportunities for members, colleagues, and future physicists from around the world to:

- participate in physics workshops
- meet and greet other physics educators
- form networks nationally and locally
- engage exhibitors and learn about the latest physics resources
- discuss innovations in teaching methods
- share the results of research about teaching and learning.

If you're not able to log in, you're most likely using **incorrect login credentials**. Double-check that you are using the same email and password that you used to register for the conference, submit your abstract or access your AAPT membership. There may also be **an issue with your AAPT meeting registration**. Please email aapt2021@underline.io and programs@aapt.org and we will work quickly to resolve this issue.

AAPT WM 21

poster

The 2020 AAPT Virtual Summer Meeting brought together physics educators from around the globe to learn about the latest in physics theory, research methodology and education from leaders in their field. The program featured plenary speakers, sessions, workshops and many special activities.

For more information please visit the 2020 AAPT Virtual Summer Meeting page at: https://www.aapt.org/Conferences/SM2020/index.cfm.


The 2020 AAPT Virtual Summer Meeting brought together physics educators from around the globe to learn about the latest in physics theory, research methodology and education from leaders in their field. 

Disentangling student understanding of apparent motions of Sun and stars.

Analogy models in introductory electricity lessons in Austria and Germany

Particle Interactions simplified with a Tripreon model for students.

Guided Problem Solving: Active Learning While Working through Example Problems

How Force Notation Affects the Way Students Say It

Simple epidemiological models are introduced using finite difference methods in Excel. The SIR model explains the initial exponential growth of COVID-19, the effects of social distancing in the US during early April 2020 and successfully predicts the continued spread of the virus during late April and May 2020. The SIR model is the origin of the basic reproduction number R0 and herd immunity. It also predicts what will happen if social distancing is lifted prematurely. A wide range of student research projects are possible for modeling and making predictions based on real data for US states and other countries. See http://circle4.com/biophysics for free sample chapters and videos.

Understanding COVID-19 by modeling it

Radiology practitioners are examined on the underlying radiological physics principles of Photoelectric Absorption and Compton Scatter. Students must understand how these interactions in the patient vary as the x-ray tube acquisition parameters are adjusted. This variation changes the relative tissue contrasts in the radiograph and the detrimental radiation dose to the patient. An interactive Mathematica (1) simulation has been developed which simultaneously shows relative interaction probabilities, patient dose & penetration, and an anthropomorphic chest image. By adjusting the parameters the student can determine an optimal acquisition which minimises patient dose whilst generating sufficient contrast for lesion detection on the radiograph. The simulation instructions lead the student through a series of acquisitions which enable MCQ & SAQ assessments, which have demonstrated enhanced and accelerated comprehension. 1. Mathematica, Wolfram Research Inc., Champain, IL (1989-2020).

Premium content

Next from AAPT SM 20

Disentangling student understanding of apparent motions of Sun and stars.

Similar lecture

Making Physics Labs More Accessible: Perspectives of Current Physics Students