Remember when you took physics in high school? You were probably one of a select few. But today, more than a million students are taking high-school physics in the US. Chances are, however, that it’s not the same physics course you experienced.
The growth in high-school physics enrollment during the past two decades has been spurred by major curricular changes that draw in more students by moving from a one-size-fits-all approach to more varied course offerings. Enrollment growth has also been promoted by the enthusiasm, energy, and professionalism of good teachers at all levels who are working to improve the system with little expectation of personal gain beyond their deep appreciation of the science and the satisfaction of seeing their students progress.
With enrollment growth and course changes, high-school physics has come a long way. But there is much further to go if science literacy is to be assured for...
