United States

While much of our research centers on recruiting more physics majors, the introductory physics courses serve a variety of STEM majors. Pre-Health majors account for a large portion of student enrollment in introductory physics. In this study, we investigate how Pre-Health majors are motivated to persist in their introductory physics course and how features of the course may shift their perceptions of physics. Pre-Health students are perceived to be extrinsically motivated to persist in their physics class as a means to an end in preparation for their MCAT or curricular requirements. Using Eccles Expectancy Value and Cost Theory, we test and analyze how Pre-Health majors enrolled in Modeling Instruction (MI) course change their perceptions of physics and their physics identity. This study will present results from surveys of about 140 students enrolled in MI in addition to several interviews exploring students’ classroom experiences and their reasons to persist.

AAPT SM 21

The Costs to Persist in Introductory Physics for Pre-Health Majors

expectancy-value theory

modeling physics

pre-health

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technical paper

What are your #LeadershipGoals? All educators are leaders: in their classroom, department, institution, and personal life. During this talk, participants will reflect on how they envision themselves as a leader, engage with a self evaluation tool, and consider the steps in developing an action plan for making change in their leadership life. In anticipation of the soon-to-be-published guide Honoring Teachers as Professionals: Stories and Pathways for Growth in Your Classroom and Career through AIP Publishing, the authors will share how university/K-12 partnerships led to increases in their own leadership capacity, professional networks, and improved professional development opportunities through self-reflective classroom research. We will discuss research and experiences around these partnerships, leadership in education, goal setting, and how participants can work towards the same.

#Leadershipgoals

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Forming an AAUP Chapter at Your Institution

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Meaningful Active Learning Environments and the Need for Scientific Practices

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Chlorophyll fluoresces red!

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The Costs to Persist in Introductory Physics for Pre-Health Majors

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