Physics Education
We discuss a number of new initiatives and events since 2020 which we hope will contribute to advancement of equity issues within the physics community in Canada. A recent analysis of high-school data shows that men are still…
Quantum physics education at the upper-secondary level traditionally follows a historical approach, rarely extending beyond early 20th-century ideas, leaving students unprepared for comprehending modern quantum technologies central to…
We present Particle Builder, an online board game which teaches students about concepts from the Standard Model of Particle Physics at a high school level. This short activity resulted in a gain of 0.16, indicating that students learned a…
The integration of immersive technologies has transformed engineering education, particularly in high-risk disciplines like high-voltage engineering, which is essential for urban energy infrastructure. This study presents a 3D virtual…
In this paper we show how students can measure optical features of smartphone displays through three experiments. Observing diffraction patterns from smartphone displays allows students to determine the Pixels Per Inch (PPI). Observing…
Creating software dedicated to simulation is essential for teaching and research in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Physics lecturing can be more effective when digital twins are used to accompany theory classes.…
Understanding astrophysical and cosmological processes can be challenging due to their complexity and lack of intuitive analogies. To address this, we present \texttt{AstronomyCalc}, a Python package specifically designed to aid…
Blind and Visually Impaired (BVI) Individuals face significant challenges in science due to the discipline's reliance on visual elements such as graphs, diagrams, and laboratory work. Traditional learning materials, such as Braille and…
We present a practical course targeting graduate students with prior knowledge of the basics of quantum computing. The practical aims to deepen students' understanding of fundamental concepts in quantum computing by implementing quantum…
This study presents the design and the implementation of an inquiry-based reconstruction of Rutherford's gold foil experiment. The activity engaged students in collaborative exploration using a "black box" as an analogical model of the…
Effective physics learning, especially in complex topics, requires balancing mathematical formalism with conceptual understanding. Conceptual problem-solving involves connecting math to physical reality, and using an epistemological…
Thermoelectric materials can convert thermal energy into electricity, making them promising candidates for harvesting waste heat, an increasingly important challenge in the energy-intensive modern world. The search for improved…
The epistemology of science students, i.e., their beliefs about the nature of the knowledge they are learning, about what they have to do to learn it, and about how they will use that knowledge, often plays a powerful role in what they…
This study proposes a quantitative framework to enhance curriculum coherence through the systematic alignment of Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) and Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs), contributing to continuous improvement in outcome-based…
Scientific argumentation is a core science and engineering practice and a necessary 21st Century workforce skill. Due to the nature of large enrollment classes, it is difficult to individually assess students and provide feedback on their…
As the need for a quantum-ready workforce grows, educators in Quantum Information Science and Engineering (QISE) face the challenge of aligning their programs and courses with industry needs. Through a series of interviews with program…
Founded in 2007, the Foothill College Physics Show has served nearly a quarter of a million attendees in the two decades that have followed. This demo show features both performances for the public and field trips for students from local…
We present Pendulum Tracker, a computer vision-based application that enables real-time measurement of the oscillatory motion of a physical pendulum. Integrated into the educational platform SimuF\'isica, the system uses the OpenCV.js…
We present and evaluate the Merrimack College Mobile Lightboard, which we built in 2017 and which is still in use in 2025. Our design was closely based on that of the groundbreaking 2014 Duke University Lightboard but with a smaller glass…
This paper presents an in-depth analysis of the Vega flight computer, and its corresponding ground station developed by CATS, a company producing open-source flight computers and tracking systems tailored for student-made rockets. These…