Excellence in Physics Education Award Talk: AAPT/PTRA - Part of the Solution

With the help of National Science Foundation (NSF) and the American Physical Society (APS), the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) has developed the Physics Teaching Resource Agent (PTRA) model for successful physical science and physics teacher professional development. This model includes development of peer mentors, systemic infrastructure, assessment instruments, and a curriculum based on experienced mentors and physics education research. The AAPT/PTRA curriculum is supported by a series of AAPT/PTRA Teacher Resource Guides. These guides serve not only as a personal resource for the teacher's professional development, but also are appropriate for teachers' continued use in their classrooms. The talk will discuss the unique features of the AAPT/PTRA Program, and outline how your university can form a partnership with AAPT to support teachers in your local area.