A Brief History of ISU's Physics Teacher Program
The origins of the ISU Physics Teacher Education program are shrouded in mystery. Its history is, however, inextricably tied to the origins of Illinois State University. Illinois State University was founded as a teacher education institution. Nowhere can this be better seen than in the original name of the institution, Illinois State Normal University (ISNU). A "normal school" was the trade name of a university that prepared teachers. The name of the school also gave its name to the city of its location, Normal, IL.
On February 18, 1857, Illinois Governor William Bissell signed legislation to create ISNU, and to establish the Board of Education of the State of Illinois as its governing body. The legislation stipulated that the permanent location for the new normal school would be the place that offered the most favorable inducements. Jesse W. Fell took up the campaign for Bloomington and obtained financial backing totaling $141,000. Abraham Lincoln, acting as attorney for the Board, drew up the bond guaranteeing that Bloomington citizens would fulfill their financial commitments. Consequently, Illinois State Normal University was founded as the first public institution of higher education in Illinois. Established as a teacher education institution, Illinois State has developed subsequently into a multipurpose university with degree programs at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels.
Early teacher education courses at the university focused on such topics as natural science, mathematics, writing and penmanship, and creative and household arts. Within the first few years of the institution's origin, a science department naturally evolved. Geology, biology, and astronomy were among the first science courses regularly offered. Geology and biology focused on the study of museum collections of rocks, minerals, and preserved zoological specimens. Astronomy often consisted in nothing more than a review of the constellations, motions of the planets and stars, and speculations about the Milky Way. The study of astronomy was supplemented by observations through a 4-inch Alvan Clark refracting telescope obtained and put to use by President Edwards.
Over the years, the graduations of physics teacher education majors were isolated incidents. The earliest records of graduates currently available are from the late 1930s and early 1940s when PTE majors began to graduate at a rate of one every few years. This pace of graduation continued over the years with the Department of Natural Sciences managing all science teaching programs.
The Physics Department was created in 1966 when Illinois State University evolved from a teacher-preparation institution to a multi-purpose university. During the early years, the Department concentrated its efforts on the physics component of the University's general education program and building a curriculum to serve a growing number of physics majors. During the period when enrollments in upper division physics courses were low, the Department developed a self-paced, modular approach to advanced physics courses. This so-called Personalized System of Instruction (PSI) proved to be quite popular and successful, and was adopted by other universities across the nation.
At about this time, physics faculty member Philip Edwards took charge of a now formal physics teacher education program. A course, PHYSICS 301 - Teaching High School Physics - was offered but, as a low-enrollment course, it was taught informally using a PSI format. Students would conduct independent readings using a wide variety of provided resources, and then discuss these readings with Mr. Edwards in weekly office meetings. Eleven major topics were discussed, and ultimately student knowledge was assessed through a series of examinations. Students also completed clinical experiences in area high schools and middle schools. In 1993, a second Physics Teacher Education (PTE) course was initiated - PHYSICS 302 - Computer Applications in High School Physics - due to a growing use of technology in high school classrooms. By 1994 the program was graduating a student or two every other year. There were about 5 PTE majors in the program when Mr. Edwards retired in 1994.
Carl J. Wenning, then planetarium director and a certified high school physics teacher, took over the PTE program upon Mr. Edwards' retirement in 1994. Wenning had started working at ISU in 1978 as Planetarium Director. When Edwards retired, Wenning was a logical replacement for leading the small and relatively inactive PTE program. He continued as planetarium director until November 2000 when he stepped down from the position to take over PTE program leadership on a full-time basis. From 1994 to his retirement in 2008, the PTE program saw tremendous growth under Wenning's leadership. The program grew from about 5 students and two "simple" physics teaching methods courses, to more than 40 PTE majors, six required PTE physics teaching methods courses, and four regularly offered independent study courses. In addition, Wenning offered a half dozen Master's level courses and regularly conducted professional development workshops for in-service teachers of high school physics supported with more the $500,000 in grant funding during the first five years of the new millennium. The program was and remains entirely "transparent" with all courses and resources being available online. Wenning retired in 2008 after nearly 30 years at ISU, "not so I can do less, but so I can do more." Dr. Wenning continues to teach part time in the PTE program, and is working on developing a National Institute for Physics Teacher Educators (NIPTE) so he can share his knowledge and experiences with other institutions in developing and expanding their own PTE programs.
Kenneth Wester was hired in the summer of 2008 to replace Dr. Wenning. Mr. Wester is a National Board Certified Teacher and has was the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching. Before coming to ISU, Ken taught for 19 years in the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science in Columbus, MS. The story continues...
(Last updated 1/04/2009, cjw)