PNCAPPNCAP 07 Survey 07 Survey

David TerrellDavid Terrell

Warner Pacific CollegeWarner Pacific College

ResultsResults

• 74 Answered the Survey74 Answered the Survey

• 57 Institutions57 Institutions

InstitutionsInstitutions

• Albertson College of IdahoAlbertson College of Idaho• Big Bend Community CollegeBig Bend Community College• Boise State UniversityBoise State University• BYU-Idaho Dept of PhysicsBYU-Idaho Dept of Physics• Brigham Young University Brigham Young University • Central Washington UniversityCentral Washington University• Chemeketa Community CollegeChemeketa Community College• Clackamas Community CollegeClackamas Community College• Clark CollegeClark College• Clatsop Community collegeClatsop Community college

InstitutionsInstitutions

• Columbia Basin CollegeColumbia Basin College• Concordia UniversityConcordia University• Dawson Community CollegeDawson Community College• Eastern Oregon UniversityEastern Oregon University• The Evergreen State CollegeThe Evergreen State College• Green River Community CollegeGreen River Community College• Highline Community CollegeHighline Community College• Idaho State UniversityIdaho State University• Lane Community CollegeLane Community College• Linfield CollegeLinfield College

InstitutionsInstitutions

• Linn-Benton Community CollegeLinn-Benton Community College• Marylhurst UniversityMarylhurst University• Miles Community College Miles Community College • Montana State UniversityMontana State University• Mt. Hood Community CollegeMt. Hood Community College• North Idaho CollegeNorth Idaho College• North Seattle Community CollegeNorth Seattle Community College• Olympic CollegeOlympic College• Pacific Lutheran UniversityPacific Lutheran University• Pacific UniversityPacific University

InstitutionsInstitutions

• Peninsula CollegePeninsula College• Pierce College PuyallupPierce College Puyallup• Portland Community CollegePortland Community College• Reed CollegeReed College• Saint Martin's Univ. Saint Martin's Univ. • Seattle Pacific UniversitySeattle Pacific University• Seattle UniversitySeattle University• Seattle Central Community CollegeSeattle Central Community College• Shoreline Community CollegeShoreline Community College• Southern Oregon UniversitySouthern Oregon University

InstitutionsInstitutions

• South Seattle CCSouth Seattle CC• Southwestern Oregon Community CollegeSouthwestern Oregon Community College• Spokane Falls Community CollegeSpokane Falls Community College• Tacoma Community CollegeTacoma Community College• Umpqua Community CollegeUmpqua Community College• University of Alaska AnchorageUniversity of Alaska Anchorage• University of IdahoUniversity of Idaho• University of PortlandUniversity of Portland• University of Puget SoundUniversity of Puget Sound• University of OregonUniversity of Oregon

Institutions Institutions

• Walla Walla Community CollegeWalla Walla Community College

• Walla Walla UniversityWalla Walla University

• Warner Pacific CollegeWarner Pacific College

• Wenatchee Valley CollegeWenatchee Valley College

• Western Washington UniversityWestern Washington University

• Whatcom Community collegeWhatcom Community college

• Whitman CollegeWhitman College

Physics degree and Physics degree and InstitutionsInstitutions

• E: other> Math-physics majorE: other> Math-physics major

Faculty and InstitutionsFaculty and Institutions

A=1; B < 5 < C < 10 < D < 20 < E

CollaborationCollaboration

A = We have

B = We are not but we would like to

C = We can’t

Comments:Comments:

• - - Collaboration via Oregon Space Collaboration via Oregon Space GrantGrant

• - - We maintain contact for We maintain contact for transfer successtransfer success

• - - Depends on what you mean by Depends on what you mean by collaborationcollaboration

• - - What do you mean by collaboration?What do you mean by collaboration?

• - - Collaboration in what?Collaboration in what?

• - - No teaching collaboration doneNo teaching collaboration done

• - - We are not collaborating and while it We are not collaborating and while it would be nice, we probably don't would be nice, we probably don't have the energy to.have the energy to.

• - - I collaborate with Fermi Lab and I collaborate with Fermi Lab and Argonne National Lab.Argonne National Lab.

• - - at least one collaboration may at least one collaboration may take place this year, but is in the take place this year, but is in the planning stagesplanning stages

• - - We don't, might conceivably We don't, might conceivably like tolike to

• - - Geographically it is very Geographically it is very difficult if physical travel is difficult if physical travel is involved.involved.

• - - Some collaborationSome collaboration- - some with some with other institutions/ plus a lot with other institutions/ plus a lot with other depts and colleges within other depts and colleges within institutioninstitution

• - - Nothing currently Nothing currently

• - Might be interested if the right - Might be interested if the right situation came alongsituation came along

• - - We don't have ongoing We don't have ongoing collaborationscollaborations

• - - We are not but might if we had We are not but might if we had the timethe time- - Have attempted to do Have attempted to do so, but teaching workload is so, but teaching workload is severe.severe.

Faculty LoadFaculty Load

How do you feel about How do you feel about Undergraduate research? Undergraduate research?

• ImportantImportant• Almost as important as correct Almost as important as correct

spelling in a survey questionspelling in a survey question• Can be valuable, difficult in a two Can be valuable, difficult in a two

year school as most students who year school as most students who have enough Physics are graduatedhave enough Physics are graduated

• I am actively engaged in physics I am actively engaged in physics education research with studentseducation research with students

Undergraduate Research Undergraduate Research FundingFunding

• NecessaryNecessary

• It should be easy to obtain because I It should be easy to obtain because I don’t have time to write lenghty don’t have time to write lenghty grant proposalsgrant proposals

• Is critical and more is needed Is critical and more is needed specially for small institutionsspecially for small institutions

How can PNACP be How can PNACP be strengthened?strengthened?• - - By using the correct form of a verb (strengthened, By using the correct form of a verb (strengthened,

not strengthen). Written communication reflects on not strengthen). Written communication reflects on how we appear to othershow we appear to others

• - - More involvement from the 'major' universitiesMore involvement from the 'major' universities

• - - don't know much about PNACPdon't know much about PNACP

• - - Improving communication between membersImproving communication between members

• - - Its fine the way it is.Its fine the way it is.

• - - I would attend more meetings if they were any I would attend more meetings if they were any other day other than Saturdayother day other than Saturday

• - - By providing political pressure on legislature to By providing political pressure on legislature to reduce teaching loads and increase release time for reduce teaching loads and increase release time for developing physics curriculum.developing physics curriculum.

• - - Organizing more meeting even informal one or Organizing more meeting even informal one or creating local chapters like where member meet creating local chapters like where member meet more regularly.more regularly.

• - - Perhaps by fostering relationships between smaller Perhaps by fostering relationships between smaller schools and larger schools. It would be great to form schools and larger schools. It would be great to form research teams that would break off parts of larger research teams that would break off parts of larger projects that can be done at an undergraduate level. projects that can be done at an undergraduate level. This would make undergraduate research part of a This would make undergraduate research part of a more meaningful whole.more meaningful whole.

• - - Raise the profile. This is an uphill job, as this Raise the profile. This is an uphill job, as this country as a whole does not value educators. While country as a whole does not value educators. While this is most visible in the public K-12 range, some of this is most visible in the public K-12 range, some of this attitude trickles up.this attitude trickles up.

• - Not sure.- Not sure.

• - Perhaps PNACP can coordinate with the NW APS - Perhaps PNACP can coordinate with the NW APS section for a joint meeting. We have limited travel section for a joint meeting. We have limited travel funds and typically attend a regular research funds and typically attend a regular research conference once a year plus the NW section meeting conference once a year plus the NW section meeting of the APS, with no time or money left for the PNACP. of the APS, with no time or money left for the PNACP. However, the PNACP is highly relevant to our However, the PNACP is highly relevant to our teaching as physics faculty in an undergraduate-only teaching as physics faculty in an undergraduate-only department.department.

• - Be open to including high school teachers- Be open to including high school teachers

• - email newsletter- email newsletter

• - We need to reach out and contact teachers at - We need to reach out and contact teachers at schools that are not active in the organization. A schools that are not active in the organization. A personal invitation might be enough to get some personal invitation might be enough to get some new people to meetings.new people to meetings.

• - Get more physics majors and have them come to - Get more physics majors and have them come to the meetings.the meetings.

• - I am not sure. I have not had much contact with - I am not sure. I have not had much contact with PNACP. I plan to change that in the next year.PNACP. I plan to change that in the next year.

• - ?- ?

• - - maintain a variety of topicsmaintain a variety of topicsI think there is time for some reports on I think there is time for some reports on undergraduate researchundergraduate research

• - - I don't know. I think it is good as it is.I don't know. I think it is good as it is.

• - - Somehow get more involvement from research Somehow get more involvement from research faculty.faculty.

• - - Not very familiar with the organization.Not very familiar with the organization.Connection with APS/AIP.Connection with APS/AIP.

• - - More participation from membersMore participation from members

• - - I think that it would be nice to have collaboration I think that it would be nice to have collaboration opportunities outside of the yearly meeting. opportunities outside of the yearly meeting.

• - - I am currently working toward my doctorate in I am currently working toward my doctorate in education through George Fox University. I hope to education through George Fox University. I hope to seek more involvement in PNACP after my degree is seek more involvement in PNACP after my degree is completed...target date: mid-2009.completed...target date: mid-2009.

• - - More frequent meetings would be nice.More frequent meetings would be nice.

• - - More direct marketing to faculty. I only More direct marketing to faculty. I only heard about the organization through the full heard about the organization through the full time faculty here.time faculty here.

• - - I'm not sure. Our institution should, and will I'm not sure. Our institution should, and will this year, participate.this year, participate.

• - - I think that PNACP is doing fine.I think that PNACP is doing fine.

• - - This is a tough question. I have no idea for This is a tough question. I have no idea for the moment.the moment.

• - - Not sure.Not sure.

• - It seems strong already. How about a - It seems strong already. How about a presence at area AAPT section meetings presence at area AAPT section meetings and at national AAPT meetings?and at national AAPT meetings?

• - I believe that collaboration at all levels - I believe that collaboration at all levels strengthens organizations.strengthens organizations.

• - I said a lot of things when I was running - I said a lot of things when I was running for Executive Director, but I was not chosen for Executive Director, but I was not chosen for the position, and was told by one of the for the position, and was told by one of the voting members that I couldn't do what I voting members that I couldn't do what I proposed. So my ideas have already been proposed. So my ideas have already been rejected.rejected.

• - - Continue having annual meetings to discuss issues Continue having annual meetings to discuss issues with colleagues at neighboring institutions. If with colleagues at neighboring institutions. If something isn't scheduled regularly it is quickly something isn't scheduled regularly it is quickly dropped from the priority list.dropped from the priority list.

• - - I don't have any ideas right now.I don't have any ideas right now.

• - - a place to find out what others are doinga place to find out what others are doing

• - - More participants at the meetings. More participants at the meetings.

• - - This is a great idea. I feel that there isn't very much This is a great idea. I feel that there isn't very much communication between members other than at communication between members other than at meetings. It would be great to have a member meetings. It would be great to have a member directory and a email listserv.directory and a email listserv.

• - We have to strongly encourage the - We have to strongly encourage the younger faculty to come to meetings and to younger faculty to come to meetings and to lobby their administrations, if necessary, to lobby their administrations, if necessary, to pay the dues to keep PNACP solvent. My pay the dues to keep PNACP solvent. My teaching skills have benefited tremendously teaching skills have benefited tremendously from PNACP meetings and contacts over the from PNACP meetings and contacts over the years. This also should be communicated to years. This also should be communicated to college administrations, so that they in turn college administrations, so that they in turn encourage their faculty to participated in encourage their faculty to participated in the organization.the organization.

• - 1) More student involvement.- 1) More student involvement.2) Perhaps workshops instead of meetings.2) Perhaps workshops instead of meetings.3) Poster Sessions.3) Poster Sessions.

• - Better communication and advertisement - Better communication and advertisement of Spring meeting.of Spring meeting.

• - - Subgroup on astronomy and/or astronomy Subgroup on astronomy and/or astronomy education.education.

• - - I tend to see the same people at most of the I tend to see the same people at most of the meetings, maybe we can encourage more of our meetings, maybe we can encourage more of our colleagues to participate. I would like to see more colleagues to participate. I would like to see more active partnership between the 2-year and 4-year active partnership between the 2-year and 4-year institutions in getting our 2-year students involved institutions in getting our 2-year students involved in research at the 4-year institutions.in research at the 4-year institutions.

• - Find a way to include the major universities once - Find a way to include the major universities once again. Their leadership is important. Even if only a again. Their leadership is important. Even if only a few faculty from UW, UO, WSU, and OSU participate, few faculty from UW, UO, WSU, and OSU participate, they add validity to PNACP.they add validity to PNACP.

• - I am inactive in PNACP, so I am unsure about its - I am inactive in PNACP, so I am unsure about its role.role.

• - - 'strengthened''strengthened'Good question. The problem is everyone is so busy, Good question. The problem is everyone is so busy, that the meeting has to be perceived as valuable to that the meeting has to be perceived as valuable to even get people to go. Once they go, they realize even get people to go. Once they go, they realize that the gathering itself is valuable, but you have to that the gathering itself is valuable, but you have to get people there. Topics of interest to a wide range get people there. Topics of interest to a wide range of people work well, so having topical conferences I of people work well, so having topical conferences I think is useful, with good speakers. Also changing think is useful, with good speakers. Also changing the location works well. the location works well. Another thing that might help is to set up a network Another thing that might help is to set up a network so that people share the costs of attending and so that people share the costs of attending and perhaps accommodations at the meeting. This should perhaps accommodations at the meeting. This should be possible on the website? be possible on the website? Another thing that would make the meetings more Another thing that would make the meetings more valuable if the 'old boys' didn't assume everyone valuable if the 'old boys' didn't assume everyone knew them, and that everyone made an effort to knew them, and that everyone made an effort to connect with the younger faculty members.connect with the younger faculty members.

• - Meetings relevant and interesting, not conflicting - Meetings relevant and interesting, not conflicting with other obligationswith other obligations

• - Making available faculty research interests to - Making available faculty research interests to facilitate collaboration among those with overlapping facilitate collaboration among those with overlapping research topics.research topics.

• - Hard to say. I've never gotten involved - Hard to say. I've never gotten involved because I don't have the time. I am because I don't have the time. I am swamped with my regular teaching load + swamped with my regular teaching load + committee assignments.committee assignments.

• - Have break-out sessions where - Have break-out sessions where collaboration opportunities can be collaboration opportunities can be advertised; invite PNNL, large universities, advertised; invite PNNL, large universities, etc. who have outreach programs to come.etc. who have outreach programs to come.

• - Ah, now there's the question.....- Ah, now there's the question.....(Not very helpful, but I've given it my shot.)(Not very helpful, but I've given it my shot.)

ThanksThanks

Hope this survey will be useful giving Hope this survey will be useful giving us an insight about ways to improve us an insight about ways to improve our organization.our organization.

Have a great day, and safe travel back Have a great day, and safe travel back home!home!