PTSOS Physics Equipment

PTSOS is a workshop and support program for new high and middle school physics teachers in Northern California. We offer 3 all-day Saturday workshops during the school year. In addition to learning about the details of the craft of physics teaching from experienced teachers, participants receive continental breakfast, lunch, and physics equipment for them to use in their classroom. The PTSOS program is recognized as one of the most effective programs for training and retaining new physics teachers. It has been written about in The Physics Teacher journal (V51, p286, 2013) and a video of one of our sessions has over 41 million views.

The resources on our website and our email discussion group are used by hundreds of physics teachers. Unfortunately, our budget has been shrinking while costs are rising and the need for professional development for STEM teachers is critical. You donation will help us keep our program going for the 2017/18 school year. The $6500 will help us purchase some of the most useful physics equipment we give out. One is the Newton's Second Law apparatus that lets teachers show students what happens when you fire a projectile horizontally and drop one simultaneously. Another are the Colliding Spheres that shows the conversion of kinetic energy to thermal energy in a dramatic way. The third item that will be funded is a demonstration quality green laser . Please consider giving whatever amount you are comfortable with to help us continue this important program. The PTSOS team, the new physics teachers, and most important, their students, will be very grateful. All funds withdrawn by Dan Burns, then deposited directly into the account of the non-profit Northern California and Nevada American Association of Physics Teachers. Funds will then be used to reimburse workshop leaders after they submit receipts to the NCNAAPT treasurer. To help us make sure we use all of the funds this year please donate by the end of January, 2018.