Eric M. Rogers

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Eric M. Rogers (15 August 1902 – 1 July 1990) was a British physics educator and teacher.

Perhaps he is best known for his book Physics for the Inquiring Mind Princeton[1] published by Princeton University Press in 1960. The subtitle of the book reads The Methods, Nature, and Philosophy of Physical Science. The book is based on course he gave at Princeton[2]. Also he was the driving force behind the Nuffield program in physics education in the 1960s.

A book dedicated to the works and philosophy of Eric Rogers was brought out in 1994 by the title Wonder and Delight published by Institute of Physics. The subtitle of the book reads Essays in Science Education in honour of the life and work of Eric Rogers (1902-1990). The book gives the biography of Eric Rogers

Contents

[edit] Early life

Eric Rogers was born on 15th August 1902 at Bickley, Kent. His father, Charles Knight Rogers was a publisher for the International News Co Ltd. Eric Rogers went to Bedales School from 1916 to 1921. Bedales school and its founder John Haden Badley had a strong influence on Rogers . At Bedales school Eric Rogers wss involved in various ventures, and during his last year at the school was elected as the Head Boy, and Editor of the school magazine.

[edit] Career

Rogers went to Trinity College, Cambridge gaining first class honours both in Mathematics Tripos Part 1 in 1922 and Natural Science Tripos Part 2 in 1924. He was elected a senior scholar in 1923. He did a short term of research and teaching in the Cavendish Laboratory from 1924-1925, which ended in his posting as physics master and assistant house master at Clifton College, Bristol. He remained there from 1925 to 1928.

In 1928 Rogers joined Bedales school a physics teacher and boys' house-master. Here Eric Rogers met Janet Drummond a history teacher. They became engaged in April 1930, and eloped before the term ended to get married on 14th June 1930.

After this Eric Rogers became an instructor in physics at Harvard University for two years. Eric Rogers returned to England in 1932 and joined Charterhouse as physics master, till 1937.

In 1937 he went back to USA to join Putney School for three years. He was then appointed at Mount Holyoke College (1940-41) and St. Paul's, Concorde (1941-42). In 1942 he joined Princeton University as associate professor. Rogers retired as professor from Princeton University in 1971.

Eric Rogers was also a member of Physical Science Study Committee (PSSC). In 1962 he became a consultant on the Nuffield O-Level physics project and became the organizer of the project in 1963. He had a considerable impact on the project.

Eric Rogers' wife died and sister died in 1971 and 1972 respectively, which disrupted his retirement plans. Eric Rogers died on 1st July, 1990 in Cambridge.

[edit] Awards

Eric Rogers was the Oersted Medalist for the year 1969 which is given by the American Association of Physics Teachers.[3] Eric Rogers was the first recipient of Physics Education Medal which was constituted in the year 1980 by the International Commission on Physics Education.[4] In 1985 Eric Rogers was awarded the Bragg Medal constituted by Institute of Physics. [5] Eric Rogers was a fellow of Institute of Physics, American Physical Society and a member of European Physical Society.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Eric M. Rogers (1960). Physics For The Inquiring Mind. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-691-08016-X.. 
  2. ^ (Eds.) Brenda Jennison, Jon Ogborn (1994). Wonder and Delight Essays in Science Education. Institute of Physics, Bristol and Philadelphia. ISBN 0-7503-0315-8. 
  3. ^ "Eric M. Rogers: Oersted Medalist for 1969" (1969). Am. J. Phys. 37: 953-954. 
  4. ^ "Eric M. Rogers Physics Education Medalist 1980" (1981). Proceedings of the International Conference on Education for Physics Teaching 1980: 80-81. 
  5. ^ "Eric M. Rogers: Bragg Medalist 1985" (1985). Phys. Bull. 36: 153. 

[edit] Articles

  • Eric M. Rogers (1969). "Examinations: Powerful Agents for Good or Ill in Teaching". Am. J. Phys. 37 (10): 954-962. 
  • Eric M. Rogers; Reviewer: Philip Youngner (1963). "Book Review: Physics for the Inquiring Mind". Phys. Teach. 1 (1): 39-40. 
  • Eric M. Rogers; Reviewer: Francis L. Friedman (1962). "Book Review: Physics for the Inquiring Mind". Am. J. Phys. 30 (9): 660-661. 
  • Eric M. Rogers (1961). "Physics Summer Institute in Pakistan". Am. J. Phys. 29 (10): 661-665. 
  • Eric M. Rogers (1949). "The “Block-and-Gap” Scheme for Physics Courses". Am. J. Phys. 17 (1): 532-541. 
  • Eric M. Rogers (1947). "Aim of Laboratory Experiments for Liberal Arts Students". Am. J. Phys. 15 (1): 80-81. 
  • Eric M. Rogers (1946). "Samples Versus Survey in Physics Courses for Liberal Arts Students". Am. J. Phys. 14 (6): 384-386. 
  • Eric M. Rogers (1946). "Demonstration Experiment: Mechanical Analogs of Electric Circuits". Am. J. Phys. 14 (5): 318-319. 
  • Eric M. Rogers (1946). "Demonstration Experiment: Magnetized Ring". Am. J. Phys. 14 (4): 273.