John Hubisz presents an excellent and important review article. The involvement of physicists as volunteers in K–12 classrooms is only briefly mentioned as a solution to science education problems, but is critical in ensuring that all students receive a quality science education.
Textbook and teacher-training reform are necessary, but such slow processes will only show results in the long term. By volunteering in classrooms, physicists can help children learn science today. In close, continuing collaborations with teachers, physicists can help improve teacher self-confidence and easily dispel misconceptions raised by textbook errors. I’ve had the experience of visiting the same class for several years; the teacher, students, and I have all benefited enormously.
