Teach Physics in Florida
From Summer 2025 to Fall 2025, students will have the opportunity to earn $3,000 while developing essential teaching skills through two digital badges ("Physics Content for Teaching" and "Introduction to VPython Programming ") and a UNF STEM Teaching Course ("Problem-Based Instruction in Math and Science"). This initiative is hosted by the Northeast Florida Center for STEM Education (NEFSTEM), the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Silverfield College of Education and Human Services at UNF. This program is designed to equip educators with the tools necessary to foster innovation and excellence in physics education.
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When does this program begin?
The first cohort will commence on May 29, 2025. -
Who is this program for?
- UNF STEM Majors exploring a potential teaching role or career.
- UNF Math and Science Education Majors eager to deepen their knowledge of Physics.
- Students from the following Florida state colleges looking to earn transferable credits toward their degree:
- Florida State College at Jacksonville
- Indian River State College
- St. Petersburg College
- Tallahassee State College
- St. Johns River State College
- Santa Fe College
- Florida K-12 Teachers seeking to add Physics to their professional certification.
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What will you gain?
- $3,000 stipend to learn valuable teaching strategies and earn two digital badges in Physics and Computing.
- Full tuition coverage for SMT 4664: Problem-based Instruction in Math and Science.
- Personalized coaching from experienced UNF faculty and expert high school physics teachers.
- Preparation and fees for the Florida Teaching Certification Exam (Grades 6–12 Physics).
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Credentials
- A “Physics Content for Teaching” Digital Badge to showcase your expertise.
- An “Introduction to VPython Programming” Digital Badge to enhance your technical skills.
- SMT 4664: Problem-based Instruction in Math and Science - 3 UNF Undergraduate Credits applicable toward graduation, with credits transferable to other Florida state colleges and universities. *No prerequisites required
Program Leaders and Support
Dr. Terrie M. Galanti
Associate Professor of Secondary Mathematics and STEM Integration/Computational Thinking
Dr. W. Brian Lane
Assistant Professor of Physics and Education
Read more about Dr. Galanti and Dr. Lane's work in physics teacher development below.
- Teacher Re-novicing on the Path to Integrating Computational Thinking in High School Physics Instruction (JSER, 2023)
- Physics Teachers’ Motivations to Learn Computational Thinking as a Re-novicing Experience (PERC Proceedings, 2023)
- Creating a Computational Playground in High School Physics (PERC Proceedings, 2022)
This work is supported by the National Science Foundation and the Physics Teacher Education Coalition (PhysTEC) under grant no. 2325980. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. To learn more, please email Brian.Lane@unf.edu and Terrie.Galanti@unf.edu.