[INAAPT] INAAPT meeting

[patricia mason]

As a recently retired high school teacher of physics (and chemistry),
I'd like to address the comment about getting more high school teachers
to come. 
I imagine that the majority of high school physics teachers in the state
teach more than just physics (or ICP). Many teach 5 periods of chemistry
or math and 1 period of physics. Many do not consider themselves
physicists, as they trained in another primary field, and had physics
added to their teaching load. 
So I think that it is a matter of perception of the teachers as to
whether they "belong" at such a meeting and also those of administrators
whether they will allow (read that pay for) attendance at a meeting that
affects such a small portion of the student body. 
I have enjoyed the meetings that I attended; I especially appreciated
the AAPT meetings when they were held in Indianapolis and all high
school physics teachers in the state were invited and had all expenses
paid. (Administrators liked it when even subs were paid for.)  So maybe
a way to get more high school teachers involved is to reach them through
Julie Conlon (and her counterparts at other schools) and offer free
registration if it is their first meeting, or something like that. 
Patti Mason
patti at cindasdata.com

<<<<<I would say that Indianapolis offers 
the best chance of attracting a 50 person crowd.  However, I agree with
the 
comment that we need to do some recruiting and some advertising--much on
a 
personal basis--to get more High School teachers to come.  The cadre of 
University and College types that have been regulars is getting thinned
out 
through retirement (and worse), and so there may be the need for some
arm 
twisting with younger AAPT members at those institutions.

Joint meetings can be great, but since we would really be in the
position of 
needing to go to Illinois or go to Ohio for such meetings (having gotten

both states to come here in the past--Purdue and Ball State) and such 
meetings would necessarily be two day affairs, you have travel and
lodging 
to worry about.  Will people go that far and spend the money?

Just my thoughts,

Rick

***************************
Richard W. Tarara
Professor of Physics
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, IN
rtarara at saintmarys.edu
******************************
Free Physics Software
PC & Mac
www.saintmarys.edu/~rtarara/software.html
******************************* 

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