Elon University faculty Kyle Altmann, Martin Kamela, and Jeremy Hohertz shared their work with educators from across the country
Three faculty members from Elon University’s Department of Physics and Astronomy showcased their cutting-edge research and teaching innovations at the 2025 Summer Meeting of the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), held in Washington, D.C.
Associate Professors of Physics Kyle Altmann and Martin Kamela presented both a poster and talk about pedagogical changes they have made in the PHY2220 University Physics course. Inspired by Peter Liljedahl’s “Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics,” Altmann and Kamela modified the level and amount of peer problem solving and the summative assessment structure of the course. They found an improvement in classroom engagement and an improved sense of fairness in the assessments.
Assistant Teaching Professor of Physics Jeremy Hohertz presented a poster based on the experimental PHY1070 Electroacoustics course he developed last year. Designed at the request of the Music Production and Recording Arts program, this course addresses the physics of analog circuitry relevant to sound reproduction.
Funding for travel to the conference was provided in part by the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning.
The AAPT Summer Meeting also served as a platform for professional development, networking and collaboration among educators committed to advancing physics education, including colleagues like alumnus Shawn Weatherford ’21, currently at the University of Florida. Elon’s presence at the conference underscores the university’s dedication to both high-impact research and innovative teaching.