Physics Teacher Development Programs at a Project-Based Learning Polytechnic Institution

WPI's mission is `to discover, and to convey knowledge at the frontiers of academic inquiry for the betterment of society' by engaging students to address needs and tackle STEM challenges that create societal value. Aligned with this mission, WPI's signature Project Based Learning (PBL) curriculum gives every student the experience of working in interdisciplinary teams to meet needs that lie at the intersection of science and society. In a polytechnic setting, the university spans a wide range of engineering, science, arts and business programs. The STEM Education Center provides an ecosystem through partnerships among academic programs, regional schools, teachers, and community members to support teacher preparation and professional development programs. We will describe the current educational programs and activities at WPI, that includes a Master of Science in Physics for Educators program, and how these will be leveraged for a PhysTEC Comprehensive site.