Education research is our focus
Welcome to PER-Central, a resource collection for physics education researchers. Here you may find articles, theses and dissertations, research groups, curricular material, and news and events of interest to the PER Community. Learn more about PER-Central.
PER Literature
Search the literature by:
Or find an article by topic:
- Basic Research
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By Topic:
Astronomy, Classical Mechanics, Electricity & Magnetism, Fluid Mechanics, General Physics, Mathematical Tools, Modern Physics, Optics, Oscillations & Waves, Other Sciences, Quantum Physics, Relativity, Thermo & Stat Mech
Reviews in PER
Volume 2 of Reviews in PER is dedicated to helping researchers get started in Physics Education Research.
In this review article, a member of the PER community presents an overview of an area of PER:
An Introduction to Classical Test Theory as Applied to Conceptual Multiple-choice Tests
by P. V. Engelhardt.
Find more articles introducing PER research methods in Volume 2 of Reviews in PER.
Community Resources
PER Programs
Browse the different PER groups and their descriptions on the PER Program Map.
For the Classroom
SEI: Classical Mechanics/Math Methods I Course Materials
This website provides the materials to teach a transformed sophomore-level classical mechanics/math methods course. The provided course is the first semester of a two-semester sequence at the University of Colorado, Boulder.
Find more PER-based Curricular Materials: Course Packages | Student Activities | Pedagogy Guides
Research Instruments
Rotational and Rolling Motion Conceptual Survey
The Rotational and Rolling Motion Conceptual Survey, developed by Singh and Rimoldini, is designed to evaluate students' conceptual understanding of rotational and rolling motion. The survey is based on investigations of students' difficulties in introductory- and junior-level physics courses.
Latest Additions 
Latest Discussion Posts
April 19 at 5:56 PM EST
brant hinrichs
posted Instructor position for Fall 2021
to the US - Solo Physics Education Researc... thread.
October 28 at 2:08 PM EST
Steve Maier
posted PERLOC nomination deadline is this Friday
to the US - Solo Physics Education Researc... thread.
July 21 at 5:27 PM EST
Steve Maier
posted Two announcements (time sensitive)
to the US - Solo Physics Education Researc... thread.
July 13 at 5:02 PM EST
Steve Maier
posted PERC 20/20 items
to the US - Solo Physics Education Researc... thread.
Latest Comments
May 4 at 4:44 PM EST
Lyle
posted 2020 PERC Notable Paper
to the The impact of extra credit i... thread.
May 4 at 4:44 PM EST
Lyle
posted 2020 PERC Notable Paper
to the “I’m not that important”: Ba... thread.
May 4 at 4:44 PM EST
Lyle
posted 2020 PERC Notable Paper
to the The associations between con... thread.
May 4 at 4:43 PM EST
Lyle
posted 2020 PERC Notable Paper
to the Practicing physicists’ knowl... thread.
