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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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:
Getting Started with Research on Epistemologies and Expectations
by A. Elby.
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 Upper-Division Quantum Mechanics I Transformed Course Materials
This web site provides research-based materials for junior-level quantum mechanics 1 courses. Topics covered include the Schrödinger equation, bound state problems, Hilbert space and operators, the hydrogen atom, and spin. The course archives include documented student difficulties, learning goals, ConcepTests (clicker questions), class activities, homework, tutorials, and a conceptual assessment tool.
Find more PER-based Curricular Materials: Course Packages | Student Activities | Pedagogy Guides
Research Instruments

Colorado Upper Division Electrostatics (CUE) Asssessment
The Colorado Upper Division Electrostatics (CUE) Asssessment is designed to test student understanding of core learning goals in junior-level E&M. It consists of a 17-item open-ended test with optional 9-item pretest.
PER Events 
Physics Education Research Conference 2022
PERC 2022 will be held July 13-14, 2022 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The theme will be "Queering Physics Education."
Latest Additions 
Latest Discussion Posts
April 22 at 6:19 AM EST
Shane Bergin
posted Early-career PER opportunity in Ireland
to the US - AAPT Physics Education Researc... thread.
July 19 at 5:36 PM EST
Eric Brewe
posted PERC Organizers Looking for Snack and Chat organizers
to the US - AAPT Physics Education Researc... thread.
June 26 at 10:37 AM EST
Alexis Knaub
posted Grief Literacy Workshop - July 9
to the US - AAPT Physics Education Researc... thread.
July 19 at 4:25 PM EST
Geoff Potvin
posted PERTG Summer 2020 Newsletter
to the US - AAPT Physics Education Researc... thread.