facebook pixel Skip to Main Content
Idaho State University home
Apply
Give

Steven Shropshire, Ph.D.

Professor
shrostev@isu.edu
(208) 282-2212
Physical Science Building, Rm PS 120A
Personal and Class InformationISU Physics Demo Road Show

Education

  • Ph.D., 1991: Washington State University, Physics
  • M.S., 1988: Washington State University, Physics
  • B.S., 1985: Washington State University, Physics & Math, cum laude

Positions

  • 2007 - present: Professor, Idaho State University
  • 1997 - 2007: Associate Professor, Idaho State University
  • 1992 - 1997: Assistant Professor, Idaho State University
  • 1991 - 1992: Visiting Assistant Professor, Sabbatical Replacement, Idaho State University

Major Areas of Interest

  • Materials Science
    • Perturbed angular correlation spectroscopy and embedded atom studies of point defects
    • Point defect production and interactions
    • Interactions of point defects with hydrogen
  • Physics Education
    • Teaching methods for introductory physics
    • Impact of demonstrations and outreach activities

Public Service

  • American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), Executive Board, Four Year College Representative, 2010 - present
  • AAPT Science Education for the Public Committee, 1998 - 2007, 2009 - present; Chair, 2004 - 2007
  • Society of Physics Students Councilor for Zone 15 (Montana, Idaho, Utah), 2006 - present
  • Idaho Science Teachers Association, Board of Directors, Higher Education Representative 2004 - present
  • Rural Regional Coordinator for the Idaho AAPT/PTRA Center, 2004 - 2007
  • Director, ISU QuarkNet and Student Research Center, 2003 - present
  • Advisor, ISU Society of Physics Students, 2003 - present
  • AAPT World Year of Physics Committee, 2003 - 2005
  • AAPT Pre-High School Education Committee, 1998 - 2003; Chair, 2001 - 2003
  • Section Representative, Idaho/Utah Section of the AAPT, 1999 - 2006
  • President, Idaho/Utah Section of the AAPT, 1998
  • Vice President, Idaho/Utah Section of the AAPT, 1997, 2010
  • NSF Reviewer for Proposals in Materials Science and Nuclear Spectroscopy
  • 64 presentations and workshops for teachers at national and regional meetings of the AAPT, NSTA, ISTA, and other professional teaching societies
  • Director, ISU Physics Demo Road Show program. The program consists of short teacher workshops at K-12 schools, followed by one or more presentations for students. Topics are aligned to the National Science Education Standards and the Idaho State Board of Education Standards for Excellence. Over 400 teacher workshops, and over 850 Science demonstration shows with a total estimated attendance of over 150,000 have been presented.
  • 26 Public Demonstration shows on the ISU Campus with a total estimated attendance over 5,000
  • Director, ISU Physics Camp YES (Young Explorers in Space)
  • Volunteer for the Pocatello Police Dept., United Way, Idaho Museum of Natural History, Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of America, Salvation Army, Aid for Friends and the Native American Youth Symposium

Honors and Awards

  • American Association of Physics Teachers Distinguished Service Citation, 2008
  • Idaho Academy of Science Distinguished Science Communicator Award, 2007
  • Idaho State University Achievement Award, 2006
  • Distinguished Public Servant, Idaho State University, 2006
  • Outstanding Public Servant, Idaho State University, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003
  • Salvation Army Community Hero, 2000, 2003