Professional Plan for the Future, Schwartz 2016

Professional Plan for the Future, Pete Schwartz Promotion Application 2016
Part of Pete Schwartz’s 2016 application for promotion

Teaching: I plan to continue building protocol and resources for the novel learning method we are using in introductory physics classes that focus student attention on the underlying physics concepts and builds an awareness to the learning process they are experiencing. I plan to be an active member in Cal Poly’s new Physice Education Research and involve students interested in physics education in my activities. I plan to introduce a class exploring the “Path to Net Zero” on building businesses and communities that have net zero energy consumption and optimum use and preservation of local resources.

Classes

  • PHYS-141, Basic Mechanics:
    • Continue to develop parallel pedagogy
    • Improve videos
    • Refine our textbook that we are authoring and using for the first time in Fall of 2016. We plan to “publish” the first edition in January, 2017 on OpenStax.
    • Develop the studio format that we started using this Fall, 2016
    • Extend to PHYS-121 clases
  • PHYS-132, Improve laboratory descriptions
  • PHYS-132, or PHYS-133, consider a parallel pedagogy for an additional introductory class
  • Co-instruct three classes with Mechanical Engineering Professor Brian Self: PHYS-141 and ME-212 in order to further my understanding of introductory mechanics and how it is applied in introductory mechanical engineering. Dr. Self’s letter of intent.
  • Upper Division Classes: I will teach the following classes as needed by the department:
    • PHYS-211, Modern PhysiQuantum Lab 1
    • PHYS-340, Quantum Laboratory 1: lab and lecture
    • PHYS-341, Quantum Laboratory 2
    • PHYS-342, Quantum Laboratory 3
  • Energy Classes: Further developing the videos and activities:
    • PHYS-310, Physics of Energy
    • PSC-320, Energy, Society, and the Environment
  • Appropriate Technology Classes: Further development and integration with partnerships inside Cal Poly, locally, and globally
    • PSC-391/UNIV-391/HNRS-391, Appropriate Technology for the World’s People
    • PSC-392/UNIV-392/HNRS-392, Appropriate Technology for the World’s People, Design
  • Introduce a new class, “Path to Net Zero” that marries the knowledge of the energy and appropriate technology classes with policy and engineering.
  • Agroecology / Permaculture: continue to support instruction and partnerships relating to better use of energy and resources: at Cal Poly, locally, and globally.

Scholarship: I plan to continue research with direct use of solar electricity powering direct current loads controlled by small processors in order to shift loads to match the time of maximum power generation, and to provide access to electricity to the global poor presently not connected to the grid. Additionally, direct consumption of locally generated electricity will increase public awareness of electricity consumption. During this time, I will continue to strengthen collaborations with faculty in other departments and with outside companies. The technology/society interface can greatly benefit from economics and the humanities. Consequently, while I have considerable collaboration with engineering I have only begun to reach out to instructors in economics and the humanities and look forward to building collaboration more in this direction. I will continue to develop the work in physics education research that I’ve engaged in over the past 7 years but only recently recognized as an area of active study and dissemination.

Solar Electricity Deployment Technologies – Anticipate one publication per year and several conference presentations with student authorship

  • Improve and disseminate ISEC (Insulated Solar Electric Cooking) in Uganda and elsewhere.
  • Develop Solar Powered DC ice making facility with Nathan Heston (Cal Poly Physics): natural cooling to improve efficiency, to be prototyped in Thailand December 2016 with Engineers Without Boarders.
  • Electricity management: continue development of Electrical Priority Switchboard technologies and implementation locally with collaborators for instance with Sangha Energy at the Guild Hall (formerly the Grange Hall).
  • Continue collaboration with engineering and agriculture, displacing fossil fuel with solar electricity.

Physics Education Research

  • Identify and measure metrics of value for students, particularly in introductory mechanics, PHYS-141
  • Learn more and participate in development with Stomatis Vokos and other faculty in physics and mechanical engineering. I have so far joined the “critical friends” of the 133 studio lab research project.
  • Continue developing and exploring Open Eduction Resources.

Service/University Citizenship: My service will continue to include education, advocacy, and mentorship with regard to renewable energy as well as support for sustainability-oriented student projects, extending to our local community and beyond. I will continue to support those in our academic and local community who have less voice. I will continue to support department and university operations and committee work and participate beyond that required by full professors where it is apparent I have something to offer.

Physics Department

  • Continue supporting physics department in searches, and RPT efforts.
  • Continue to support untenured faculty in discussions, providing resources, and voicing concerns. I will form a committee if the department prefers.

University

  • Continue to develop projects at Cal Poly’s Student Experimental Farm or elsewhere if the venue is moved.
  • Continue to support interdisciplinary communication and collaborations across campus and with interests outside of Cal Poly.
  • Continue to serve as a resource and advocate for more sustainable energy and resource use.
  • Continue to provide a professional pathway to students who fall outside of standard paths for their department, especially in physics, engineering and business.
  • Continue to build Online Education Resources (OER) and support Cal Poly’s OER learning community.
  • Continue to support people who have less voice in the university community.
  • Support Cal Poly’s Maker Movement (see below)

Local Community

  • SLO MakerSpace:
    • assist in becoming a successful technology and education resource for San Luis Obispo
    • recruit Cal Poly students into teaching positions
    • provide resources for Cal Poly students
    • be a resource for similar efforts at Cal Poly including the proposed MakerSpace to be constructed in Kennedy Library
  • Bicycle safety: Continue promoting safe bikeways and awareness with the SLO Police Department with videos and advocacy.
  • Continue supporting local community leaders with idea and technical instruction.
  • Support implementation of San Luis Obispo’s Climate Action Plan

Global Community