Welcome to the Department of Physics!
Training adaptive and collaborative physicists of tomorrow.
Studying the world through the lenses of physics allows us to answer big questions and build the technologies of the future.
Whether you’re curious about black holes, clean energy, or the interactions between matter, physics will give you the answers. Explore a path that opens doors to a better understanding of the world around you.
Fostering innovation, inclusion and collaboration.
Whether modeling the smallest particles in the universe, tracking the path of a single molecule in a living cell, understanding the atomic structure and properties of complex new materials or exploring new energy sources in the lab, the Department of Physics’ research areas and interdisciplinary collaborations are at the forefront of today’s most compelling questions.
1st
compact X-ray free electron laser (CXFEL) of its kind in the world.
Member
of the American Physical Society Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Alliance.
1st and only
master’s degree program developed for in-service high school science teachers.
Rotations
in biological and soft matter; cosmology, particle and astrophysics; nanosciences and materials; and physics and society research.
Research areas
If I had looked back 10 years ago and said, 'Hey Brandon, you're a senior in high school. You're going to go finish your PhD,' he would have been like, 'No, it’s too much.' But when you take it in those small chunks, it is possible to climb that mountain."
Brandon Sumner
BS in physics, 2017.
PhD in physics, 2022.
Kelli Warble: "Strong Advocate for Science Education"
May 2023's episode of the monthly SCIENCE MODELING TALKS podcast features Kelli Warble, long-time Modeler, who works at Arizona State University.
In 1994, Kelli started teaching mathematics and physics in the Phoenix metropolitan area. She spent 18 years as a high school teacher, primarily at Title I schools. Kelli constantly strived to use Modeling Instruction in her math courses as well (pre-algebra to calculus). In 2012 she became full-time Physics Teacher-in-Residence for ASU. At ASU, Kelli teaches physical science and PHY 480: "Methods of Teaching Physics". She runs the Learning Assistant program, and she is on the APS IDEA team focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Kelli consults on a new initiative, funded by the Arizona STEM Acceleration Project, to develop curricular materials for Modeling in Middle School Mathematics. She serves on the board of the American Modeling Teachers Association (AMTA) as past president, and is also on the board of the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) as president-elect.
In this episode, Mark talks with Kelli about her early exposure to modeling instruction and the new units for modeling in the middle school math classroom that they’re working on, including this summer’s bite-size workshops in middle school math. They also talk about several of Kelli’s top tips for teaching in the modeling classroom – most of which would be excellent tips for any classroom.
Listen at: https://sciencemodelingtalks.com/episodes/episode-44-kelli-warble/