Education and Academia Articles

Tag Archive for: education

Carl Sagan

When Pro Scientists Explain Using Pop Science

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Abstract There is so much to say about the many endeavors by professional scientists to explain to us the world. The list is long: Carl Sagan, Harald…
teaching physics

A Lesson In Teaching Physics: You Can’t Give It Away

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A central principle of Physics Forums regarding homework help is not to provide solutions on demand but to guide students along a path to the answer.  The…
what if physics questions

Avoid Breaking Physics: Ask Better ‘What If’ Questions

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We receive many "what if" questions here on Physics Forums. This article explores three common types and offers suggestions for students whose questions…
science major advice

Aiming High and Managing Distractions as Keys to Success for Science Majors

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Over the years, I've noticed some distinct trends among the physics and chemistry majors I've mentored and worked with.Those with GPAs in the 3.8-4.0…
workethic

Why Work Ethic Is a Key to Success for Science Majors

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After earning a 4.0 GPA in his first semester as a Physics major at an esteemed state university, our son (and homeschool grad) attributes his…
coldquestioning

How to Ask Questions Effectively and Avoid Cold Questions

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70 Comments
We frequently get questions such as these:"What is energy?""What are Cooper Pairs?""What is conservation of momentum?"etc...etc.And…
learned

What Is The Most Important Thing That You Learned?

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I mentioned in an earlier Insight what I think are the most important things you can learn by being on Physics Forums. This time, I tackled the question…
boatramps

Real Research in Unexpected Places; Boat Ramps

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Read part 1 -Backyards, Barns, BayousWhen I was offered a job at the Air Force Academy, it seemed like an opportunity to exercise both my commitment…
fakenews

Spotting Fake Science News: Wendelstein 7‑X & Media

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Fake News, Data, and the Need to Check Sources During and even after the recent US election campaign, numerous reports of fake or misleading news were…
whystudyphysics

Why Study Physics? A Bit Goes a Long Way!

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If you don’t plan to become a scientist or an engineer, is there a good reason to study physics?  I say, “Yes,” because knowing just a little bit…
govandteachers

Blaming Government for Teacher and Scientist Failures in Integrity

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The article, "Governmental policy is wrecking science," makes some interesting points but is fundamentally in error, because government policy is only…
mathiq

Can You Succeed in Mathematics? Common Concerns Answered

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We often see threads from new members asking whether they are cut out for mathematics, physics, engineering, or other technical fields. For some reason…
complexscience

Thoughts on the Complexity of Modern Science

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123 Comments
Science today is incredibly complex. Anyone who ever did scientific research knows that, but many in the general public seem to be completely unaware of…
goingbacktoschool

A Guide to Going Back to School For Math or Science

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Motivations for creating the series I came to Physics Forums originally to read ZapperZ’s thread about becoming a physicist back in 2013. It was one…
doubt

Doubt, Discouragement, and Perseverance in STEM Careers

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Doubt, as odd as this may sound, can be essential to living. We all make decisions and later question whether we made the right choice; doubt helps influence…
imagination

Why Imagination Without Knowledge Is Ignorance Waiting to Happen

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Introduction My feelings on people who think that imagination is more important than knowledge are well-known. These people simply are parroting Einstein's…

Why You Should Not Use Wikipedia As Your Primary Source

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It is no secret to anyone who has read my posts in this forum for a while that I do not like Wikipedia. I think that there is a fundamental flaw with the…
learnfrompf

The Most Important Thing You Can Learn from Physics Forums

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It is a bit pompous of me to think that I can tell you the most important thing you can learn from Physics Forums (PF). After all, each one of us here…
math obvious

Teaching Math as Obvious Thinking | Make Math Click

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My goal when I teach math My #1 goal, when I teach a math class, is to convey a way of thinking about math. It's quite different from what most students…
alternative careers

Careers with a Physics Degree: Alternatives & Advice

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Nontraditional career paths for physics graduates We are still discussing the final year of your undergraduate education. So far, we have covered what…
surviving college

Essential Guide: Surviving Your First Year in Physics

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Part II: Surviving the First Year of College This part covers survival tips for the first two undergraduate years. You’re now in college and intend…
Early Physics Education in High schools

Early Physics Education in High Schools For Physics Majors

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So You Want to Be a Physicist: A 22-Part GuideIntroduction: The motivation for creating the seriesWhy this series One of the most frequent questions…
crackpot

How to Spot Pseudoscience: A Practical Science Guide

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It often feels like we're being swamped with "science" these days — but much of it is not real science. Genuine science follows the scientific method,…