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American Journal of Physics
written by Lillian C. McDermott
This resource contains the Millikan award acceptance speech given by noted physics educator Lillian McDermott in 1990. Dr. McDermott highlights the importance of high-quality teacher preparation and the crucial role of science education curricula in middle schools and high schools. She describes the evolution of K-12 science education as the United States pivoted to more rigorous and relevant science curriculum efforts post-Sputnik. "Basic to all of the projects was the recognition that a curriculum properly includes not only the content to be taught but the manner in which it is taught.....The goal was to produce innovative curricula that was inquiry-oriented and activity centered so that students would have the experience of actively participating in the scientific enterprise." She discusses how, despite the high quality nature of the revised instructional materials and strong support for its development, national impact of the new curricula fell short of expectations. Dr. McDermott explores the "incompatibility" between the curriculum materials and students' understandings of physics at the introductory level. Her reflections about the key role of educational research to guide practice is still highly relevant 30 years later. The latter half of the lecture discusses principles and strategies for developing better curricula.
American Journal of Physics: Volume 59, Issue 4, Pages 301-315
Subjects Levels Resource Types
Education - Applied Research
- Active Learning
- Curriculum Development
- Learning Environment
- Teacher Preparation
= Curricula
General Physics
- Scientific Reasoning
- High School
- Middle School
- Elementary School
- Lower Undergraduate
- Reference Material
= Article
PER-Central Types Intended Users Ratings
- Curriculum
- Curriculum / Pedagogy Guide
- Educators
- Professional/Practitioners
- Administrators
- Researchers
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Format:
application/pdf
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© 1991 American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT)
ISSN Number:
0002-9505
Keywords:
Millikan Award Speech, physics education reform
Record Creator:
Metadata instance created January 24, 2023 by Caroline Hall
Record Updated:
January 24, 2023 by Caroline Hall
Last Update
when Cataloged:
June 4, 1991
ComPADRE is beta testing Citation Styles!

Record Link
AIP Format
L. McDermott, , Am. J. Phys. 59 (4), 301 (1991), WWW Document, (https://doi.org/10.1119/1.16539).
AJP/PRST-PER
L. McDermott, Millikan Lecture 1990: What we teach and what is learned - Closing the gap, Am. J. Phys. 59 (4), 301 (1991), <https://doi.org/10.1119/1.16539>.
APA Format
McDermott, L. (1991, June 4). Millikan Lecture 1990: What we teach and what is learned - Closing the gap. Am. J. Phys., 59(4), 301-315. Retrieved February 9, 2025, from https://doi.org/10.1119/1.16539
Chicago Format
McDermott, Lillian C.. "Millikan Lecture 1990: What we teach and what is learned - Closing the gap." Am. J. Phys. 59, no. 4, (June 4, 1991): 301-315, https://doi.org/10.1119/1.16539 (accessed 9 February 2025).
MLA Format
McDermott, Lillian C.. "Millikan Lecture 1990: What we teach and what is learned - Closing the gap." Am. J. Phys. 59.4 (1991): 301-315. 9 Feb. 2025 <https://doi.org/10.1119/1.16539>.
BibTeX Export Format
@article{ Author = "Lillian C. McDermott", Title = {Millikan Lecture 1990: What we teach and what is learned - Closing the gap}, Journal = {Am. J. Phys.}, Volume = {59}, Number = {4}, Pages = {301-315}, Month = {June}, Year = {1991} }
Refer Export Format

%A Lillian C. McDermott %T Millikan Lecture 1990: What we teach and what is learned - Closing the gap %J Am. J. Phys. %V 59 %N 4 %D June 4, 1991 %P 301-315 %U https://doi.org/10.1119/1.16539 %O application/pdf

EndNote Export Format

%0 Journal Article %A McDermott, Lillian C. %D June 4, 1991 %T Millikan Lecture 1990: What we teach and what is learned - Closing the gap %J Am. J. Phys. %V 59 %N 4 %P 301-315 %8 June 4, 1991 %@ 0002-9505 %U https://doi.org/10.1119/1.16539


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Citation Source Information

The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual.

The AJP/PRST-PER presented is based on the AIP Style with the addition of journal article titles and conference proceeding article titles.

The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References.

The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation.

The MLA Style presented is based on information from the MLA FAQ.

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