Physics in Action – where you might not expect
“Events like this enhance our students’ learning experiences by providing a platform to exchange ideas and stay updated with the latest advancements in physics” – Blerta Bernaci, President, BC Association of Physics Teachers, and high school physics teacher
Last month, BCIT hosted the BC Association of Physics Teachers (BCAPT)* for a “Physics in Action” workshop series.
Thirty-five secondary teachers from 29 schools attended to explore cutting edge research, new educational technologies, and physics applications in healthcare. The event attracted physics teachers from almost every district in the Lower Mainland and as far as Squamish and Shawnigan Lake.
“It was a huge success thanks to Institute-wide collaboration,” says Dr. Michael Harder, BCIT lead organizer and BCIT Physics Faculty.
“I think we were able to showcase the strengths and unique character of BCIT’s programs, which benefit from strong collaboration between the School of Health Sciences and the School of Computing and Academic Studies, which houses the Physics Department. We are able to bring together subject matter experts to best train future healthcare professionals.”
“My favourite part was all of it”
Dr. Alex Khramov from the Physics Department opened the day with a talk on his antimatter research, particularly fitting considering the important role of antimatter in nuclear medicine and radiation therapy. A hands-on session on generative AI followed, supported by the BCIT Library and Learning and Teaching Centre (LTC). In the afternoon, participants toured the Food Technology laboratories, or the new Health Sciences Centre, before an information session on healthcare programs at BCIT.
Participants were overwhelmingly positive. In fact, 100% of post-workshop survey respondents indicated they would like to attend future BCIT events. When asked about their favourite sessions, many responded with comments like “all of it” and “the day was inspiring”. They appreciated the variety of relevant topics, the engaging presenters, the careful and clear explanations, and the impressive new facilities.
Insights return to classrooms
BCAPT President Blerta Burnaci moderated an engaging discussion about challenges facing physics education in BC, emphasizing the importance of collaborating to bridge gaps between high school and post-secondary education.
“The BCAPT ProD event with secondary and post-secondary educators at BCIT was inspiring,” reports Blerta. “Many high school graduates continue their studies at BCIT in health sciences, trades, or engineering, underscoring the importance of a strong foundation in physical sciences for student success.”
“It is gratifying to see the impact we can have on education in the province,” said Jennifer Talman, BCIT Associate Dean for Science and Technology, who opened the session by sharing how she was drawn to physics in high school and then became a physics educator at BCIT.
“These teachers will be able to bring back valuable insights to enhance their classrooms, such as the connection between theoretical physics and medical imaging, helping students see the real-world application of physics.”
*The BC Association of Physics Teachers (BCAPT) was established in 1984 to enhance and support physics education in the province. Three of five founding members were BCIT faculty. The BCAPT supports both student and teacher awards, as well as science fair prizes. The BCAPT listserv enables collaboration and discussion between physics educators across the province, and the association organizes two annual conferences, providing physics focussed professional development for both high school and post-secondary educators.
Feature photo at top: Rebekah Bahr presents on nuclear medicine to the BC Association of Physics Teachers