Millikan Lecture 2009: Physics for all: From special needs to Olympiads

Abstract

Can “all” students learn “real” physics? Physics First and Physics for All have become a success story for thousands of students in urban, suburban, and rural districts. At the same time, the International Physics Olympiad and other competitions have raised the expectation of what the most motivated students can achieve. Many physics educators are exploring ways to set higher goals for our most gifted students while also providing physics instruction to students previously excluded from our physics classes. Great novels and symphonies are accessible to people of different backgrounds and levels of expertise. We should develop teaching strategies that enable us to share an understanding of physics with all students because everyone deserves an opportunity to reflect on the wondrous workings of our universe.