Joshua Phiri holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from the University of Zambia, a Masters Degree in Physics from Marquette University, and Ph.D. in Physics from the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago. He has served as an Instructor of Physics at Florence-Darlington Technical College since 1997.  Joshua was one of the field-testers of the introductory college physics/ICP21 modules and was one of the 14 principal authors of the modules produced under the NSF grant awarded to Seminole Community College.  The physics program has adopted the ICP21 curriculum and has used it extensively both in the integrated curriculum and the transfer courses. This is a student-centered curriculum organized into topic modules, and we typically cover four to five modules per semester.  Microcomputer based laboratory explorations are incorporated into the problem scenarios that the students are asked to analyze. 

Synergistic Activities

• PI for SC ATE National Resource Center for Expanding Excellence in Technician Education, DUE # 0602710
• “Project-based Learning” Invited talk at the American Association of Physics Teachers, summer, 2006 Annual Conference, Syracuse, New York.
• “Increasing Recruitment, Retention and Graduation Rates in Engineering Technology” National Tech Prep Conference presentation. (2005).
• “Implementing Innovated Physics Curriculum into Two-Year College Programs” Invited talk at the American Association of Physics Teachers, summer, 2005 Annual Conference, Salt Lake City.
• Co-PI for the Focal Point for Expanding Excellence in Engineering Technology Education (SC ATE National Resource Center), DUE #0202272.
• WGBH-Boston Getting Results project video (demonstrating best practices in teaching technicians) - 2004.
• “Increasing Recruitment, Retention and Graduation Rates in Engineering Technology” National Tech Prep Conference presentation. (2004).
• Recognition as a catalyst for exemplary physics programs at two-year colleges by SPIN-UP (Strategic Programs for Innovations in Undergraduate Physics at Two-Year Colleges), an NSF funded project, DUE#0203862 and AAPT (2004)
• NSF Reviewer, Course, Curriculum and Laboratory Improvement (CCLI).  2003
• ATE-NSF Reviewer, the Evaluation Center for Advanced Technology in Education Project, Western Michigan University. (2003)
• "Modular Approach to teaching physics" workshop presented to high school science teachers at the Math/Science Technology Conference at Francis Marion University, February 2001.
• Team Leader, Advanced Technology Education (ATE) teaching team, 2001-2002.
• “Web-Based Enhancements for ET curricula-Phsylets” Instructional Leadership Institute (2001)
• Director, Summer Technology Camps for 7th, 8th and 9th Graders. (2001-2002)

Honors and Awards

• Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year- Florence Darlington Technical College (2002)
• Nominee SCTEA Educator of the Year in the Teaching Category (2002)
• Governor’s Distinguished Professor Award (2003)
• National Institute for Staff & Development (NISOD) Excellence Award (2003)

Associations

American Association of Physics Teachers

South Atlantic Coast Section, American Association of Physics Teachers (SACAAPT)

Physics Instructional Resources Association

South Carolina Technical Education Association

Sigma Pi Sigma Physics Honor Society Marquette Chapter

Florence Toastmaster 1916 Club.
National Society of Black Physicists