CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> <head> <script>window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; window.dataLayer.push({ 'page_type':null }); window.dataLayer.push({ 'user_id':null,'is_admin':0 }); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-PSP4BWP');</script> <title>About OPTYCs</title> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /> <meta http-equiv="Content-Language" content="en" /> <meta name="MSSmartTagsPreventParsing" content="TRUE" /> <meta name="Rating" content="General" /> <script type="text/javascript" src="/css/OPTYCs.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/services/js/highslide/highslide-full.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/services/js/highslide/highslide.config.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/services/js/highslide/highslide.css" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/optycs/css/highslideOverride.css" /> <script type="text/javascript"></script> <meta property="og:image" content="https://optycs.aapt.org/images/OPTYCsBlock.png" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="OPTYCs"/> <meta name="Copyright" content="©2025 OPTYCs" /> <link rel="shortcut icon" type="image/png" href="/favIcon.ico" /> <link rel="icon" href="/favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/style.css" /> <script src="https://unpkg.com/tippy.js@2.5.3/dist/tippy.all.min.js"></script> <script src="/OPTYCS/css/tippy.js"></script> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/OPTYCS/css/tippy.css" /> <style type="text/css"> .internalNav5 { position: fixed; right: 0; margin-top: -55px; background: #FFFFFF99; } </style> <link href="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/tinymce.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" /> <script type="text/javascript"> baseAreaPath='/OPTYCs/about/'; baseAreaTitle='About OPTYCs'; </script> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/OPTYCs/css/tinymce.css" /> </head> <body class="whiteBack"> <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-PSP4BWP" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <div id="siteWrapper"> <div id="header"> <div id="acctBar" class="whiteBack em1"> <a href="/user/Add.cfm">register</a>  -  <a href="/user/login.cfm">login</a> </div> <h1><a href="/"><img src="/images/OPTYCsLogo.png" style="width:500px" /></a></h1> <div id="navigation"> <ul> <li><a href="/">Home</a></li> <li class="navcurrent"><a href="/about/">About</a></li> <li ><a href="/events/">Events</a></li> <li ><a href="/programs/">Programs</a></li> <li ><a href="/resources/">Resources</a></li> <li ><a href="/about/Collaborators.cfm">Collaborators</a></li> <li ><a href="/user/Contact.cfm">Contact</a></li> </ul> </div><br style="clear:both" /> </div> <div id="content"> <h2>About OPTYCs</h2> <div class="tinyTabs"> <ul class="tinyTabsUL"> <li id="PageTabHandle_Overview" class="pagetab-handle pagetab-handle-current "><a onclick="showTinyPageTab('Overview', 'Overview', 0)">Overview</a></li> <li id="PageTabHandle_Vision" class="pagetab-handle "><a onclick="showTinyPageTab('Vision', 'Vision', 0)">Vision</a></li> <li id="PageTabHandle_Interests" class="pagetab-handle "><a onclick="showTinyPageTab('Interests', 'Faculty Interests and Needs', 0)">Faculty Interests and Needs</a></li> <li id="PageTabHandle_AboutUs" class="pagetab-handle "><a onclick="showTinyPageTab('AboutUs', 'About Us', 0)">About Us</a></li> <li id="PageTabHandle_Fun" class="pagetab-handle "><a onclick="showTinyPageTab('Fun', 'Fun at AAPT', 0)">Fun at AAPT</a></li> <li id="PageTabHandle_Fellows" class="pagetab-handle "><a onclick="showTinyPageTab('Fellows', 'Fellows', 0)">Fellows</a></li> </ul> <div id="PageTab_Overview" class="tinymce pagetab-content" style=""> <div id='TMCEContent'> <h3><span style="font-size: 18pt; color: #2b6fac;">What is OPTYCs?</span></h3> <p>TYC faculty face challenges, including isolation (due to small numbers, geographical separation, and high workloads), lack of opportunities for networking and professional development, and a dearth of information students, departments, and programs nationally. OPTYCs aims to mitigate these challenges through our programs.</p> <p>The Organization for Physics at Two-Year Colleges (OPTYCs) provides professional opportunities for instructors teaching physics-related content in the two-year college (TYC) setting. Whether you teach physics, astronomy, or physical science, OPTYCs is for you! </p> <p>Our vision is to create a community of practice for physics at TYCs, to provide guidance and benchmarks for faculty growth and development, and to improve the diversity and participation in the STEM workforce through increased student success.</p> <p class="CDt4Ke zfr3Q" dir="ltr">We offer various programs, from continuing professional development workshops, to year-long Leadership Institutes, and the New Faculty Development Series. We are revising the <a href="https://www.aapt.org/Resources/tycguidelines.cfm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><span style="color: #7baa26;">TYC Physics Program Guidelines</span></strong></a>; we are sponsoring a comprehensive survey of TYC physics faculty, students, and institutional programs through the <strong><a href="https://www.aip.org/statistics/undergraduate/twoyear" target="_blank" style="color: #7baa26;" rel="noopener">American Institute of Physics' Statistical Research</a></strong>; and we are providing mechanisms for mentorship and networking.</p> <p class="CDt4Ke zfr3Q" dir="ltr">OPTYCs is a large collaborative project and its foundation is based on community engagement. We will continually expand our community of leaders, workshop facilitators and participants. We envision a growing number of project directors, more leaders incorporated to the OPTYCs team, and a gradual and healthy change of project leadership over the years. </p> <hr /> <h3 class="CDt4Ke zfr3Q" dir="ltr"><span style="color: #2b6fac; font-size: 18pt;">Evaluation Reports</span></h3> <p>How well is OPTYCs reaching our goals? Find out in our annual reports - the analysis is based on your feedback!</p> <ul> <li><span style="color: #7baa26;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EFgxrXcejs2BxeA1LoT0Cx53Vt4HXhvnL_8rfQW4-gs/edit?usp=drive_link" style="color: #7baa26;"><strong>Year 2 - July 2023 to June 2024 (full report)</strong></a></span></li> <li><strong><span style="color: #7baa26;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/15sx1lr-xUGUAsjfVdprsiOCyGud6INjyJUSoEQxd7a0/edit?usp=sharing" style="color: #7baa26;">Year 1 - July 2022 to June 2023 (full report)</a> </span></strong><span style="color: #7baa26;"></span></li> </ul> <p><img src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/YEAR2-Highlights-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="1000" height="563" /></p> <hr /> <h3 class="CDt4Ke zfr3Q" dir="ltr"><span style="color: #2b6fac; font-size: 18pt;">History</span></h3> <p class="CDt4Ke zfr3Q" dir="ltr">As far as we know, the initial idea for the creation of a national overarching TYC organization such as OPTYCs originated decades ago with the influence of the esteemed colleagues Mary Beth Todd Monroe and Curtis J. Hieggelke. During the summer of 2021, approximately 30 TYC physics faculty across the nation volunteered to work on a general sketch of what this organization could look like. A small team wrote <strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RioO-8b5fSfBwDwEotTFjdNPyE3aPmAn/view"><span style="color: #7baa26;">a</span> <span style="color: #7baa26;">proposal</span></a><span style="color: #7baa26;"> </span></strong>to the NSF, funding was awarded July 1, 2022 and OPTYCs was born. (NSF-DUE-2212807)</p> <h3 class="CDt4Ke zfr3Q" dir="ltr"> </h3> </div> <br style="clear:both;" /> </div> <div id="PageTab_Vision" class="tinymce pagetab-content" style="display:none"> <div style="background: var(--gold); color: var(--blue);" class="tinyfullwidth"> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b6fac;">The OPTYCs Vision</span></h3> </div> <p><span style="color: #2b6fac;"><strong>A future in which TYC physics faculty and students thrive.</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none;" aria-level="1"><strong>TYC faculty </strong>are embraced within and empowered by an inclusive national physics education community, and</li> <li style="font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none;" aria-level="1"><strong style="font-size: 1.05em;">TYC students </strong><span style="font-size: 1.05em;">experience excellent evidence-based physics instruction which prepares them for their future endeavors.</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <div style="background: var(--gold); color: var(--blue);" class="tinyfullwidth"> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b6fac;">Our Long-Term Goals</span></h3> </div> <p><strong><span style="color: #2b6fac;">The quality of physics education in TYCs is reinvigorated and improved</span></strong>. TYC physics faculty use more evidence-based classroom practices, resulting in direct benefits to students in their classrooms. </p> <p><strong><span style="color: #2b6fac;">TYC physics faculty feel connected</span></strong> to a national TYC community of practice.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #2b6fac;">TYC physics faculty have the support they need</span></strong> to thrive professionally.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #2b6fac;">TYC physics is integrated within national physics education</span></strong> in terms of attitudes and structure; TYC and non-TYC physics educators feel that TYC faculty and institutions belong and matter, and physics education research and implementation efforts honor TYCs contributions.</p> <p><span style="color: #2b6fac;"><strong>OPTYCs is recognized as <em>the </em>organization and community for TYC physics faculty</strong></span> professional growth and development, supporting sustainability and serving as a national model for other STEM disciplines.</p> <p> </p> </div> <div id="PageTab_Interests" class="tinymce pagetab-content" style="display:none"> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b6fac; font-size: 18pt;">Faculty Interests and Needs: Poll Results</span></h3> <p>During 2022, an anonymous poll of TYC faculty who teach physics-related classes was done informally to find out what were the most pressing needs and interests of this group of people. As of Dec 1, 2022, there were 146 responses to the poll. We estimate approximately 1800 full-time, and 2000 part-time instructors teaching physics-related classes nationally. Below is a summary of the poll results.</p> <h5><span style="color: #7baa26;">Characteristics of TYC Instructors Teaching Physics-Related Courses</span></h5> <p><strong>Full-Time/Part-Time Status:</strong> The majority of respondents (80.1%) were full-time at a two-year college, and at an institution that defines itself as such.</p> <p><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/q1.png" border="0" alt="" width="600" height="343" /></p> <p><strong>Teaching Experience:</strong> Respondents were spread across a range of years teaching.</p> <p><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/q3.png" border="0" alt="" width="650" height="394" /></p> <p><strong>Commonly Taught Courses:</strong> The most frequently taught courses were calculus-based physics, but the poll reached instructors of a wide variety of physics-related courses. The distribution of the most frequently taught course did not change from before 2020 and after.</p> <p><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/q45.png" border="0" alt="" width="800" height="495" /></p> <h5><span style="color: #7baa26; font-size: 18pt;">Workshop Interests</span></h5> <p><span style="color: #000000;">Of the topics that were provided, the ones of greatest interest were:</span></p> <ul> <li><span style="color: #000000;">Pedagogical Strategies</span></li> <li><span style="color: #000000;">Competency-based Grading</span></li> <li><span style="color: #000000;">Research Projects for TYC Students</span></li> <li><span style="color: #000000;">Assessment Tools</span></li> <li><span style="color: #000000;">Effective Student Supports</span></li> <li><span style="color: #000000;">Coding and Programming in the Physics Classroom</span></li> <li><span style="color: #000000;">Interdisciplinary Concepts and Applications</span></li> <li><span style="color: #000000;">Teaching Physics Online</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="color: #000000;">There was variation in level of interest in each topic, depending on the number of years of TYC teaching.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Mode of Delivery:</strong> Approximately half of the respondents preferred in-person workshops, but virtual synchronous and asynchronous were also popular modes. Conferences may provide a good venue for workshops, given that nearly 60% of respondents attended a conference at least annually.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;"><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/q6.png" border="0" alt="" width="500" height="309" /> </span></p> <h5><span style="color: #7baa26; font-size: 18pt;">Assessments and Tools</span></h5> <p><span style="color: #000000;">Respondents indicated a general familiarity with research-validated assessment tools, although many created their own assessments.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;"><img src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/q10.png" border="0" alt="" width="900" height="590" /></span></p> <p>Assessments of learning outcomes were often used to inform and adapt teaching strategies.</p> <p><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/q11.png" border="0" alt="" width="500" height="309" /></p> <p>However, few instructors were aware of or use the <a href="https://www.physport.org/DataExplorer/Preview.cfm">Data Explorer</a> tool offered by <a href="https://www.physport.org/">PhysPort.org</a>.</p> <p><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/q12.png" border="0" alt="" width="500" height="309" /></p> <h5><span style="color: #7baa26; font-size: 18pt;">Physics Education Research & Validated Assessments</span></h5> <p>Respondents indicated some awareness and/or connection with physics education research.</p> <p><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/q7a.png" border="0" alt="" width="600" height="371" /></p> <p>And that they were possibly interested in expanding their physics education network.</p> <p><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/q8.png" border="0" alt="" width="500" height="309" /></p> <p>Nearly 80% of respondents were interested in or were already collecting data using research-validated assessment tools. However, interest in publishing data was mixed.</p> <p><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/q13.png" border="0" alt="" width="689" height="475" /></p> <p>In terms of physics education research and pedagogical currency, the majority of faculty are not part of a thriving community. Especially concerning is the level of isolation for new and part-time faculty members.</p> <p><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/q7b2.png" border="0" alt="" width="700" height="432" /></p> <h5><span style="color: #7baa26; font-size: 18pt;">Future Directions</span></h5> <p>A more comprehensive and wider-reaching survey of physics-teaching faculty at two-year colleges will be conducted in collaboration with the <a href="https://www.aip.org/statistics">American Institute of Physics Statistical Research</a>, tentatively scheduled for Spring 2023 (Chairs or Discipline Leads), and Spring 2024 (all faculty). Please participate so we can all learn more about our community!</p> </div> <div id="PageTab_AboutUs" class="tinymce pagetab-content" style="display:none"> <h3><span style="color: #2b6fac; font-size: 18pt;">About Us</span></h3> <p><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 12pt;">OPTYCs has a wide range of talent contributing to its various programs.</span></p> <p><img src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/DEI/OrgChart-2025-01.png" border="0" alt="" width="1911" height="600" /></p> <h5><span style="color: #425c14; font-size: 14pt;">The OPTYCs Leadership Team</span></h5> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%; bordercollapse: collapse; emptycells: show; height: 737.11px; border-color: #7BAA26; border-style: solid;" border="1"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 27.8588%;"> <p>Lyle Barbato</p> </td> <td style="width: 72.2534%;"> <ul> <li>Web Developer</li> <li>AAPT, MD</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 27.8588%;"> <p>Matthew Cass</p> </td> <td style="width: 72.2534%;"> <ul> <li>Coordinator for the Mentoring & Networking Program</li> <li>Southwestern Community College, NC</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 27.8588%;"> <p>Miranda Chen Musgrove</p> </td> <td style="width: 72.2534%;"> <ul> <li>External Evaluator</li> <li>Goshen Education Consulting, IL</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 27.8588%;">Abigail Daane</td> <td style="width: 72.2534%;"> <ul> <li>Coordinator for the CERES Program</li> <li>South Seattle College, WA</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 27.8588%;">Dwain Desbien</td> <td style="width: 72.2534%;"> <ul> <li>Co-PI; Lead for the New Faculty Development Series, Leadership Institutes, CERES Program, and TYC Physics Program Guidelines</li> <li>Estrella Mountain Community College, AZ</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 61.4375px;"> <td style="width: 27.8588%; height: 61.4375px;">Karim Diff</td> <td style="width: 72.2534%; height: 61.4375px;"> <ul> <li>Coordinator for the PER Interest Group, and AIP-SR Survey</li> <li>Santa Fe College, FL</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 27.8588%;">Anthony Escuadro</td> <td style="width: 72.2534%;"> <ul> <li>Coordinator for the PER Interest Group, and AIP-SR Survey</li> <li>Harold Washington College, IL</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 83.7656px;"> <td style="width: 27.8588%; height: 83.7656px;">Brooke Haag</td> <td style="width: 72.2534%; height: 83.7656px;"> <ul> <li>Coordinator for the New Faculty Development Series, and Leadership Institute</li> <li>Pathstream, CA</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 83.7656px;"> <td style="width: 27.8588%; height: 83.7656px;">Joe Heafner</td> <td style="width: 72.2534%; height: 83.7656px;"> <ul> <li>Coordinator for the Continuing Professional Development Workshops, and Tandem Meetings</li> <li>Catawba Valley Community College, NC (retired)</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 61.4375px;"> <td style="width: 27.8588%; height: 61.4375px;">Rachel Ivie</td> <td style="width: 72.2534%; height: 61.4375px;"> <ul> <li>Co-PI; AAPT Liaison & Grants Advisor</li> <li>AAPT, MD</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 27.8588%;">Kris Lui</td> <td style="width: 72.2534%;"> <ul> <li>PI & Director for OPTYCs; Lead for the Mentoring Program, Continuing Professional Development Workshops, Tandem Conferences, CERES Program, and Website Resources</li> <li>AAPT, MD</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 22.3281px;"> <td style="width: 27.8588%; height: 22.3281px;">David Marasco</td> <td style="width: 72.2534%; height: 22.3281px;"> <ul> <li>Coordinator for the Mentoring & Networking Program</li> <li>Foothill College, CA</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 22.3281px;"> <td style="width: 27.8588%; height: 22.3281px;">Tom O'Kuma</td> <td style="width: 72.2534%; height: 22.3281px;"> <ul> <li>Coordinator for the Continuing Professional Development Workshops, Tandem Conferences, and New Faculty Development Series</li> <li>Lee College, TX (retired)</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 27.8588%;">Sherry Savrda</td> <td style="width: 72.2534%;"> <ul> <li>Co-PI; Lead for the PER Interest Group, AIP-SR Survey, CERES Program, and TYC Physics Program Guidelines</li> <li>Seminole College, FL (retired)</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 22.3281px;"> <td style="width: 27.8588%; height: 22.3281px;">Krista Wood</td> <td style="width: 72.2534%; height: 22.3281px;"> <ul> <li>Coordinator for the New Faculty Development Series, and Leadership Institute</li> <li>University of Cincinnati - Blue Ash College, OH</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 27.8588%;">Glenda Denicolo</td> <td style="width: 72.2534%;"> <ul> <li>Former co-PI</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 27.8588%;">Bob Hilborn</td> <td style="width: 72.2534%;"> <ul> <li>Former co-PI</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 27.8588%;">Stephanie Chasteen</td> <td style="width: 72.2534%;"> <ul> <li>Former External Evaluator</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 27.8588%;">Renee Lathrop</td> <td style="width: 72.2534%;"> <ul> <li>Former Coordinator for the Mentoring & Networking Program</li> </ul> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%;" border="1"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 53.1942%;"><img src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/TeamLogo-small.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="450" height="243" /></td> <td style="width: 46.7834%;"> <p><strong>Team photo, taken July 2024 in Boston</strong></p> <p>O: Abigail Daane and Krista Wood<br />P: Sherry Savrda<br />T: Dwain Desbien<br />Y: Anthony Escuadro<br />C: Tom O'Kuma<br />s: Karim Diff<br />Line: Lyle Barbato and Joe Heafner</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 53.1942%;"><img src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/TeamPicture2024Jan-NewOrleans-small.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="451" height="291" /></td> <td style="width: 46.7834%;"> <p><strong>Team photo, taken January 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana.</strong></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000;">It was a dark and stormy evening, with museums and restaurants closing early due to heavy rains and high winds. We had our team meeting over dinner in the hotel bar/restaurant.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000;"><em>Far side of table (L to R)</em>: Renee Lathrop, Sherry Savrda, David Marasco, Joe Heafner, Alexis Knaub.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000;"><em>Near side of table (L to R)</em>: Dwain Desbien, Karim Diff, Brooke Haag, Anthony Escuadro, Kris Lui.</span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 53.1942%;"><img src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/OPTYCsTeam-2023Jan-Portland2.jpg" border="0" alt="OPTYCs Team photo from Portland, Oregon " width="451" height="369" /></td> <td style="width: 46.7834%;"> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #2b6fac;">Team photo, taken January 2023 in Portland, Oregon.</span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #2b6fac;">It was early, and the morning light was glaring in our eyes. The room we were in had floor-to-ceiling windows and a gorgeous view of mountains in the distance.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #2b6fac;"><em>Back Row (L to R):</em> Glenda Denicolo, Sherry Savrda, Karim Diff, Tom O'Kuma, Brooke Haag, Krista Wood</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #2b6fac;"><em>Front Row (L to R):</em> Renee Lathrop, Kris Lui, Joe Heafner, Dwain Desbien, David Marasco.</span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p> </p> <h5><span style="color: #425c14; font-size: 14pt;">The Advisory Board</span></h5> <ul> <li style="list-style-type: none;"> <ul> <li>Eric Baer (Pure and Applied Sciences Chair, Highline College, WA)</li> <li>Geraldine Cochrane (Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in the School of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rutgers University, NJ)</li> <li>Anne J. Cox (Professor of Physics, Eckerd College, FL)</li> <li>Alexis Knaub (Project Manager for the Physics and Astronomy STEMM Equity Achievement (SEA) Change project, AAAS/AAPT, MD)</li> <li>Todd Leif (Dean of the Division of Science, Math, and Technical Programs, Cloud County Community College, KS - retired) </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> <div id="PageTab_Fun" class="tinymce pagetab-content" style="display:none"> <p style="text-align: center; line-height: 1;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 12pt;">A few photos of two-year college physics and astronomy faculty having fun at AAPT meetings. </span></p> <p style="text-align: center; line-height: 0;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 12pt;">If you have photos you'd like to share, please <a href="https://optycs.aapt.org/user/Contact.cfm" target="_blank" style="color: #2b6fac;" rel="noopener">contact us</a>.</span></p> <hr /> <h3 style="text-align: center; line-height: 1;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 18pt;">AAPT National Winter Meeting 2025 </span></h3> <h3 style="text-align: center; line-height: 1;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 18pt;">(January 18-21, 2025) </span><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 18pt;">in St. Louis, MO</span></h3> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%; height: 764.703px;" border="1"> <tbody> <tr style="height: 675.391px;"> <td style="width: 51.5152%; height: 675.391px;"> <p><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/JParsons-KLui-Arch-small.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="500" height="667" /></p> <p>At the Arch on a cold MLK Jr morning! Jennifer Parsons and Kris Lui.</p> </td> <td style="width: 48.4848%; height: 675.391px;"> <p>Inside the top of the Arch. Matt Cass and Alex Bohn.</p> <p><img src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/MCass-ABohn-TopOfArch-small.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="500" height="350" /></p> <p> </p> <p>Sign at the Soda Fountain.</p> <p><img style="float: left;" src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/IceCream.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="300" height="189" /></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 22.3281px;"> <td style="width: 51.5152%; height: 22.3281px; text-align: center;"> <p style="text-align: left;">The St. Louis Union Station Hotel's Grand Hall is aptly named. </p> <p><img src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/UnionStation-GrandHall-small.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="500" height="308" /></p> </td> <td style="width: 48.4848%; height: 22.3281px;"> <p>Tom O'Kuma and Tom Herring facilitating the workshop on Sensor-based Physics Activities.</p> <p><img src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/Tom-Tom-small.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="385" height="308" /></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 22.3281px;"> <td style="width: 51.5152%; height: 22.3281px;"> <p>Participants at the Sensors-based Physics Activities workshop. Pictured (left to right): Joseph Martinez, Wayne Manrakhan (back), Bilas Paul, and Tony Musumba.</p> <p><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/Sensors-small.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="337" height="350" /></p> </td> <td style="width: 48.4848%; height: 22.3281px;"> <p>Joe Heafner facilitating the Unistellar workshop.</p> <p><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/UnistellarWorkshop-small.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="350" height="391" /></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 22.3281px;"> <td style="width: 51.5152%; height: 22.3281px;"> <p>After a late-evening Community for Physics at TYCs & OPTYCs Town Hall meetings!</p> <p>In front kneeling (left to right): Matt Cass, Anthony Escuadro, John McGuire, David Marasco, Herbert Grotewohl, and Robert Hobbs (lying).</p> <p>Standing (left to right): Dwain Desbien, Kris Lui, Joe Heafner, Rachel Ivie, Sherry Savrda, Brooke Haag, Alex Bohn, Chitra Solomonson, Jay Govani, Todd Leif, and Tamara Young.</p> </td> <td style="width: 48.4848%; height: 22.3281px;"><img src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/TYCFolks-small.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="400" height="233" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p> </p> <hr /> <h3 style="text-align: center; line-height: 1;"><span style="color: #2b6fac; font-size: 18pt;">AAPT National Summer Meeting 2024 </span></h3> <h3 style="text-align: center; line-height: 1;"><span style="color: #2b6fac; font-size: 18pt;">(July 6-10, 2024) in Boston, MA</span></h3> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%;" border="1"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 70.2581%;"><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/NewFacultyPanel2jpg.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="500" height="153" /></td> <td style="width: 29.7419%;">Panel on the impacts of the OPTYCs New Faculty Development Series. Pictured (left to right) are Krista Wood, Brittney VornDick, Dwain Desbien, Angela McClure, Scott Sawyer, and Raeghan Graessle.</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 70.2581%;"><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/TYCPanel.JPG" border="0" alt="" width="500" height="260" /></td> <td style="width: 29.7419%;">Panel on "What it means to be a TYC faculty member". Pictured (left to right) are: Anthony Escuadro, Brittney VornDick, Tony Musumba, and Shahida Dar.</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 70.2581%;"><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/PERC24-Plenary-small.JPG" border="0" alt="" width="500" height="193" /></td> <td style="width: 29.7419%;">PERC bridging plenary "<a href="https://www.per-central.org/perc/2024/Detail.cfm?id=16644">Initiating PER Collaborations with Two-Year Colleges</a>" presented by Abigail Daane, Anthony Escuadro, and Sherry Savrda.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <hr /> <h3 style="text-align: center; line-height: 1;"><span style="color: #7baa26; font-size: 18pt;">AAPT National Summer Meeting 2023 </span></h3> <h3 style="text-align: center; line-height: 1;"><span style="color: #7baa26; font-size: 18pt;">(July 14-19, 2023) in Sacramento, CA</span></h3> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%;" border="1"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 78.0581%;"><img src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/Dessert.JPG" border="0" alt="" width="600" height="276" /></td> <td style="width: 22.0313%;">Team Dessert had a rotating crew sampling the goods at Rick's Dessert Diner on several occasions.</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 78.0581%;"><img src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/Beer.JPG" border="0" alt="Group of people enjoying drinks at a table" width="600" height="288" /></td> <td style="width: 22.0313%;">Team Beer enjoying adult beverages and much laughter at the Fieldwork Brewing Company.</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 78.0581%;"><img src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/CapitalGrounds.jpg" border="0" alt="State Capitol Park with plants and building in background" width="600" height="450" /></td> <td style="width: 22.0313%;">The State Capitol Park was just a block away from the Convention Center.</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 78.0581%;"><img src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/StoneArt.JPG" border="0" alt="Large pink rock-like object" width="600" height="414" /></td> <td style="width: 22.0313%;">This specimen was located just outside of the Convention Center. It is unclear whether it is natural stone, resin, or possibly a sculpture.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> <div id="PageTab_Fellows" class="tinymce pagetab-content" style="display:none"> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; color: #7baa26;">The Inaugural OPTYCs Luminaries!</span></h3> <p>We are delighted to announce the 2024 OPTYCs Fellows (aka our Luminaries)! These individuals are recognized for their extensive contributions to the two-year college physics and astronomy community by their commitment to professional development through OPTYCs participation and leadership.</p> <hr /> <h3><span style="font-size: 18pt; color: #7baa26;">2024 Luminaries</span></h3> <p>Our Luminaries have the opportunity to share their stories of OPTYCs involvement and impact at a national AAPT meeting, travel and fees paid by OPTYCs.</p> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%;" border="1"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 31.8386%;"> <p style="line-height: 0.5;"> </p> <p style="line-height: 0.5; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #7baa26;"><strong><span class="mce-nbsp-wrap">Philip Blanco</span></strong></span></p> <p style="line-height: 0.5; text-align: center;">Lecturer</p> <p style="line-height: 0.5; text-align: center;">Grossmont College</p> <p style="line-height: 0.5; text-align: center;">El Cajon, CA</p> <p style="line-height: 0.5;"><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/NoPhoto.png" border="0" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></p> <p style="line-height: 0.5;"> </p> </td> <td style="width: 31.8386%;"> <p style="line-height: 0.5;"> </p> <p style="line-height: 0.5; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #7baa26;"><strong>Forouzan Faridian</strong></span></p> <p style="line-height: 0.5; text-align: center;">Associate Professor</p> <p style="line-height: 0.5; text-align: center;">Santa Monica College</p> <p style="line-height: 0.5; text-align: center;">Santa Monica, CA</p> <p style="line-height: 0.5; text-align: center;"><img src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/ForouzanFaridian.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="226" height="300" /></p> <p style="line-height: 0.5; text-align: center;"> </p> </td> <td style="width: 31.8386%;"> <p style="line-height: 0.5;"> </p> <p style="line-height: 0.5; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #7baa26;">Raeghan Graessle</span></strong></p> <p style="line-height: 0.5; text-align: center;">Associate Professor</p> <p style="line-height: 0.5; text-align: center;">Harper College</p> <p style="line-height: 0.5; text-align: center;">Palatine, IL</p> <p style="line-height: 0.5; text-align: center;"><img src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/RG_Profile_Pic_Summer22.png" border="0" alt="" width="227" height="300" /></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 31.8386%; text-align: center;"> <p style="line-height: 0.5;"> </p> <p style="line-height: 0.5;"><span style="color: #7baa26;"><strong>Brian Lee</strong></span></p> <p style="line-height: 1;"><span style="color: #000000;">Associate Professor & Physics Coordinator</span></p> <p style="line-height: 0.5;">Santa Fe College</p> <p style="line-height: 0.5;">Gainesville, FL</p> <p style="line-height: 1;"><img src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/BrianLee.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="304" height="303" /></p> </td> <td style="width: 31.8386%; text-align: center;"> <p style="line-height: 0.5;"> </p> <p style="line-height: 0.5;"><span style="color: #7baa26;"><strong>Keith Madden</strong></span></p> <p style="line-height: 0.5;"><span style="color: #000000;">Associate Professor</span></p> <p style="line-height: 0.5;">Ivy Tech Community College</p> <p style="line-height: 0.5;">South Bend, IN</p> <p style="line-height: 0.5;"> </p> <p style="line-height: 0.5;"><img src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/KeithMadden.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></p> <p style="line-height: 0.5;"> </p> </td> <td style="width: 31.8386%;"> <p style="line-height: 0.5;"> </p> <p style="line-height: 0.5; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #7baa26;">Angela McClure</span></strong></p> <p style="line-height: 0.5; text-align: center;">Associate Professor</p> <p style="line-height: 1; text-align: center;">Estrella Mountain Community College</p> <p style="line-height: 0.5; text-align: center;">Avondale, AZ</p> <p style="line-height: 0.5; text-align: center;"><img src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/AngelaMcClure2.png" border="0" alt="" width="161" height="300" /></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 31.8386%;"> <p style="line-height: 0.5;"> </p> <p style="line-height: 0.5;"><span style="color: #7baa26;"><strong>Anthony Musumba</strong></span></p> <p style="line-height: 0.5;">Associate Professor</p> <p style="line-height: 0.5;">Riverside City College</p> <p style="line-height: 0.5;">Riverside, CA</p> <p style="line-height: 0.5;"> </p> <p style="line-height: 0.5;"><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/TonyMusumba.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="250" height="252" /></p> </td> <td style="width: 31.8386%; text-align: center;"> <p style="line-height: 0.5;"> </p> <p style="line-height: 0.5;"><span style="color: #7baa26;"><strong>Elizabeth Schoene</strong></span></p> <p style="line-height: 0.5;">Associate Professor</p> <p style="line-height: 0.5;">South Seattle College</p> <p style="line-height: 0.5;">Seattle, WA</p> <p style="line-height: 0.5;"> </p> <p style="line-height: 0.5;"><img src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/NoPhoto.png" border="0" alt="" width="252" height="252" /></p> </td> <td style="width: 31.8386%; text-align: center;"> <p style="line-height: 0.5;"> </p> <p style="line-height: 0.5;"><span style="color: #7baa26;"><strong>Dean Stocker</strong></span></p> <p style="line-height: 0.5;">Associate Professor</p> <p style="line-height: 1;">University of Cincinnati - Blue Ash College</p> <p style="line-height: 0.5;">Cincinnati, OH</p> <p style="line-height: 1;"><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/DeanStocker.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="168" height="252" /></p> <p style="line-height: 0.5;"> </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 31.8386%;"> <p style="line-height: 0.5; text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="line-height: 0.5;"> </p> </td> <td style="width: 31.8386%;"> <p style="line-height: 0.5;"> </p> <p style="line-height: 0.5; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #7baa26;">Larry Weaver</span></strong></p> <p style="line-height: 0.5; text-align: center;">Professor</p> <p style="line-height: 1; text-align: center;">Johnson County Community College</p> <p style="line-height: 0.5; text-align: center;">Overland Park, KS</p> <p style="line-height: 0.5; text-align: center;"><img src="https://optycs.aapt.org/css/images/NoPhoto.png" border="0" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></p> <p style="line-height: 0.5; text-align: center;"> </p> </td> <td style="width: 31.8386%;"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <hr /> <h5>Criteria for Luminary Induction</h5> <p>We look at hours of participation on all of OPTYCs programs, facilitation of workshops and discussions, and volunteerism in the organization.</p> </div> </div> </div> <table class="footer"> <tr class="cbar2"> <td style="width:210px"> supported by <a href="https://www.aapt.org/">AAPT</a><br/> funded by <a href="https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2212807">NSF-DUE-2212807</a> </td> <td class="logos"> <a href="https://www.aapt.org/"><img src="/images/aaptfooter.png" height="50" alt="AAPT Logo" /></a> <a href="https://www.compadre.org/"><img src="/images/compadrelogot.png" height="50" style="padding-left:.1em;padding-right:.1em" alt="ComPADRE Logo" /></a> <a href="https://ealliances.aapt.org/"><img src="https://ealliances.aapt.org/img/ea_logo.png" height="50" style="padding-left:.1em;padding-right:.1em" alt="EAlliances Logo" /></a> <a href="https://www.nsf.gov/"><img src="/images/nsflogo.png" height="37" style="margin-bottom:10px;padding-left:.5em;padding-right:.6em" alt="NSF Logo" /></a> </td> <td style="width:210px"> <a href="/user/Contact.cfm">Contact</a><br /> <a href="/about/Privacy.cfm">Privacy</a><br /> ©2025 OPTYCs </td> </tr> </table> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount','UA-852193-1'],['_setDomainName','none'],['_setAllowHash',false],['_setSessionCookieTimeout',3600000],['_trackPageview','/www/optycs/about/index.cfm/About OPTYCs'],['b._setAccount', 'UA-10830481-1'],['b._trackPageview']); (function() { var ga=document.createElement('script'); ga.type='text/javascript'; ga.async=true; ga.src=('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s=document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga,s); })(); </script> </body> </html>