The International Commission on Physics Education (C14) was established by the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics in 1960 to promote the exchange of information and views among the members of the international scientific community in Physics Education. ICPE promotes, organizes and endorses, with the support of IUPAP, international conferences, meetings, workshops and other actions aiming at improving the teaching of physics worldwide, mainly in the 60 countries associated to IUPAP.
ICPE maintains close ties with other IUPAP commissions and working groups and with other associations and organizations. Some of our most recent partners are:
The following articles describe the first years of existence of ICPE:
- Leonard Jossem: PREFACE
- French: THE INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON PHYSICS EDUCATION
- William C. Kelly:WITNESS AT CREATION: I.C.P.E.’s FOUNDING AND EARLY YEARS
Mission/Mandate
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To promote the exchange of information and views among the members of the international scientific community in the general field of Physics Education including:
- The collection, evaluation, coordination and distribution of information concerning education in the physical sciences at all levels;
- Information relation to the assessment of standards of physics teaching and learning;
- Suggesting ways in which the facilities for the study of physics at all levels might be improved, stimulating experiments at all levels, and giving help to physics teachers in all countries in incorporating current knowledge of physics, physics pedagogy, and the results of research in physics education into their courses and curricula.
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To recommend for Union sponsorship international conferences which qualify for support under Union regulations.
To initiate such conferences as their need arises from the evolution of the Commission field.
To assist in the organization of such conferences when practical. To ensure the compatibility of international conferences in its field and to discourage clashes and incompatibility of dates.
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To promote the free circulation of scientists; to assist conference organizers in ensuring such free circulation and in resolving potential infringements.
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To organize where feasible the award of medals or other testimonials of excellence in its field.
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To publish where feasible newsletters, circulars, occasional books, journals or handbooks in its area.
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To maintain liaison with other IUPAP Commissions, with the Commissions or Committees of other Unions or of the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU) or other scientific organizations, with a view to collaborating and cooperating in sponsoring joint conferences and to participating in joint projects when need arises.
In particular to maintain close liaison with the General Commissions of IUPAP (SUNAMCO, Physics Education and Development), so as to ensure suitable input from its field into these physics-wide activities.
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To make available to each General Assembly of the Union a summary of activities and progress in its field since the previous Assembly.
Please send updated information and corrections to the IUPAP Administrator.
