It is not seen as a problem that physics is the ultimate course taken in school, only after the casual and so-called less talented students have been weeded out. We are left with elementary school teachers who should be confident in teaching physical science, but who are feeling inadequate and guilty. It is difficult to think of anything more important to the future of our society and our Society than attention to education. Someone needs to urge corporate labs to allow researchers to spend some time assisting local museums or schools. Someone needs to keep up the pressure for reform in introductory physics.
Someone needs to show high school teachers that they are valued.
Someone needs to reassure elementary school teachers that they too can teach science even if they do not know all the terms and cannot answer all the questions. Someone needs to go to school board meetings to explain why teaching science to every student every year will help them pose questions they can answer and help them avoid pitfalls of illogic in their lives. Someone needs to see that each APS divisional meeting has some sessions dealing with education. The Forum on Education is intended to help those someones. The Forum on Education gives every member of the APS an opportunity to learn about educational developments at all levels, to exchange ideas, to hear about forthcoming meetings, and to get involved in APS activities aimed at promoting good physics education.