The following awardees received funding to help build regional networks and strengthen the community of physics teacher education programs:
- Texas Regional PhysTEC Network, led by Texas A&M University-Commerce
- Southeastern New York Regional PhysTEC Network, led by Stony Brook University
These PhysTEC Regional Networks brought together multiple institutions in a geographical region to work toward mutual program improvement. Through this collaboration, each Network built a tight-knit community of physics teacher educators in their region. These awardees received $15,000 in funding along with ongoing support from PhysTEC staff over a two-year period.
By connecting with each other and with support from PhysTEC, these networks built capacity for addressing regional and local challenges and opportunities to advancing physics teacher education, such as:
- Recruiting and retaining students to physics and PTE programs
- Navigating state requirements to develop streamlined PTE programs
- Collaborating across physics and education departments
- Establishing informal pathways or formal articulation agreements among institutions
- Coordinating course offerings to address low enrollments
- Connecting with regional school districts and physics teachers
- Providing professional development for pre-service/in-service teachers
- Advocating for supportive policies, e.g. with state education agencies
- Pursuing resources to support PTE programs