Workshop W3

Cracker Barrel: "Recruiting Physics and Engineering Majors"

Richard Martin, David Marx and Dan Holland
Physics Department, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois

This workshop will provide a forum to outline and discuss the challenges that we face in getting students to go beyond that first physics course and decide to major in physics and/or engineering.  Here are a few questions that may be discussed, not necessarily in this order.

1. When do students decide and what are their reasons?
2. What specific things can high school and college faculty do to show our enthusiasm for physics and engineering?
3. What is the most effective way to provide students with information about career opportunities?  Take a look at this information provided by the American Physical Society.
4. Are there particular activities and research projects that work well to draw in students and make all of them feel a part of the project?
5. What are the key ingredients in making physics fun?
6. Is it useful and important to have an active physics and engineering club?  If so, what are some good ideas for activities?  Review the Seven Roles for SPS.  Consider outreach to grade school children - go back to Question 1.

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