Cheung Receives $98,000 Grant to Improve Training of High School Physics Teachers


Project Focuses on Greater-Houston Area

A $98,000 grant to two University of Houston faculty members will impact the training of Houston-area high school physics teachers.

“Many of those teaching physics in the Houston area lack a degree in physics and suitable preparation for teaching physics. These teachers sorely need the training and support that this project will provide,” said Margaret Cheung, an assistant professor in the Department of Physics. The greater-Houston area has 54 school districts, approximately 120 high schools, an estimated 450 high school physics teachers, and roughly one million students.

Cheung and Wallace Dominey, a research associate professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, received the one-year grant from the Texas Teacher Quality Grant Program to improve training of high school physics teachers.

Cheung will serve as project director and will provide physics content expertise, professional development and overall coordination of the program. Dominey’s focus will be on the pedagogical approach.

For more information on Cheung's research and outreach, please visit www.phys.uh.edu/~mscheung.