Author: Ashley Cetnar, Lin Ding, Jeffrey E. Woollard 👨🔬
Affiliation: The Ohio State University, The Ohio State University - James Cancer Hospital 🌍
Purpose: A cohort of middle school and high school science teachers were selected to learn about physics in medicine, develop lesson plans for their students, participate in a Physics in Medicine field trip hosted at a cancer hospital, and concluded with a professional development day for other regional science teachers. This study presents results in science teacher attitudes and understanding of medical physics.
Methods: Surveys were conducted throughout the program to assess attitudes toward teaching medical physics and content knowledge of medical physics from core teachers participating in the one-year program (N=10) and peer teachers participating in a one-day professional development day as a culminating teaching experience for the teachers in the cohort (N=15).
Results: After participating in the program, teacher scores on surveys regarding attitudes toward teaching medical physics and content knowledge significantly increased. Before the program, mean values for attitudes ranged from 1.4-2.0 representing “Uncomfortable” and increased after the session to 3.8-3.9 representing “Very Comfortable” for the topics regarding medical physics. Average test scores were 52±13% prior to formal training, 68±15% after the on-site training, and 66±12% at the conclusion of the program. Teachers participating in the 1-day professional development program also mean values for attitudes ranged from 1.9-2.3 before the program and increased after the session to 3.4-3.6 representing for the topics regarding medical physics. Participants indicated strong interest in in learning more about medical physics, incorporating topics into their curriculum, and participating in additional continuing education opportunities in the future.
Conclusion: This pilot study demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of an educational model for teachers understanding and connecting medical physics with students in their schools. The program was well received by teachers and students and curriculum could be replicated for other university hospitals for medical physics outreach.