10/23/2024 By Rebecca Wiltfong and Siv Schwink
Illinois Physics Teaching Professor Morten Lundsgaard has been elected president of the Illinois Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers (ISAAPT) for the 2024–25 academic year.
Written by By Rebecca Wiltfong and Siv Schwink
Illinois Physics Teaching Professor Morten Lundsgaard has been elected president of the Illinois Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers (ISAAPT) for the 2024–25 academic year. The ISAAPT plays an important role in the teaching of physics across the State of Illinois by serving as a network for physics teachers to share instructional expertise, adopt modern classroom technologies and teaching methods, and stay current on issues of concern to their field.
Lundsgaard brings to the position 15 years’ experience working hands-on with Illinois public school teachers to improve access and quality of science education across the state. At Illinois Physics, Lundsgaard is an active member of the renowned Physics Education Research Group, where he contributes to partnership programs like the Illinois Physics and Secondary Schools Partnership Program (IPaSS).
Lundsgaard served on the ISAAPT Council last academic year as president elect; he will remain a member of the council as president this year, then as past president through the 2025–26 academic year.
Lundsgaard says he looks forward to working to strengthen the ISAAPT membership and attendance at ISAAPT meetings over the course of this year.
“Professional organizations like ISAAPT struggle with attracting new members in general and high school teachers in particular,” notes Lundsgaard. “Often times schools cannot support teachers’ attendance at two-day meetings when it involves travel to another part of the state. We need to set up different avenues for teachers to engage with the organization. Shorter, more frequent online meetings focused on topics relevant for teachers is one possible avenue that I want to explore as president.”
The ISAAPT has a long and impactful history at the University of Illinois. In 1937, U of I Professor Robert Paton suggested the Illinois State Academy of Science form a group that would meet every fall to discuss physics teaching. This group became known as Illinois State Academy Association of College Physics Teachers until in 1942 it became the ISAAPT. For more than 80 years, ISAAPT has worked to advance the teaching of physics and the appreciation of physics' role in our culture.