Science and engineering have advanced at a breathtaking pace over the past 500 years — from the pocket watch to the telescope to modern vehicles. Yet the way we teach these subjects has remained largely unchanged, often bound by tradition and outdated methods.
Carl Wieman, a 2001 Nobel Laureate in Physics and nationally-recognized education innovator, will visit UW–La Crosse this September to challenge the status quo.
During a free public lecture, “Teaching & Learning Science and Engineering in the 21st Century,” Wieman will share recent research on how people learn — and how that research can reshape the future of science education.
The event will take place at 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, in Skogen Auditorium, Room 1400, Centennial Hall. It is part of the UWL Distinguished Lecture Series in Physics, which has brought Nobel Prize-winning scientists to La Crosse for decades.
During his talk, Wieman will explore the research results, what they tell us about the principles of learning and how to effectively implement them in science courses.
Additional seminar: Helping students think like scientists
Wieman will also lead a physics seminar, “Teaching Students to Think Like Skilled Scientists,” at 3:20 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, also in Skogen Auditorium, Room 1400, Centennial Hall.
During the seminar, Wieman will focus on how to help students develop expertise — the ability to think like skilled scientists and engineers. Research on both the development of expertise and the nature of technical expertise can provide guidance for more effective teaching. Wieman will provide examples of results when these ideas have been implemented in courses, particularly in physics. His talk will also touch on the role AI can and cannot play in such an education.
