Chiral Symmetries and Low Energy Searches for New Physics

I discuss low energy searches for new physics beyond the Standard Model, identifying the role played by chiral symmetries in these searches and in various new physics scenarios. I focus in particular on electric dipole moment searches; precision studies of weak decays and electron scattering; and neutrino properties and interactions.Comment: Talk given at 5th International Workshop on Chiral Dynamics, Durham/Chapel Hill, NC (September, 2006); 12 page

Nuclei as Laboratories: Nuclear Tests of Fundamental Symmetries

The prospect of a rare isosotope accelerator facility opens up possibilities for a new generation of nuclear tests of fundamental symmetries. In this talk, I survey the current landscape of such tests and discuss future opportunities that a new facility might present.Comment: To appear in proceedings of 3rd ANL/MSU/INT/JINA Theory Workshop, Argonne National Laboratory (April, 2006); 13 page

Searching for T-Violating, P-Conserving New Physics with Neutrons

The observance of parity conserving time reversal violation in light quark systems could signal the presence of physics beyond the Standard Model. I discuss the implications of low-energy time reversal tests for the existence of such T-violating, P-conserving (TVPC) interactions. I argue that searches for permanent electric dipole moments (EDM's) and direct TVPC searches provide complementary information on P-conserving T-violation. EDM searches yield constraints only under the assumption that parity symmetry is restored at the scale Lambda associated with new TVPC physics. If parity remains broken at short distances, direct searches yield the least ambiguous bounds. In the latter case, improving the experimental precision of direct TVPC searches in neutron beta-decay and polarized epithermal neutron transmission at the Spallation Neutron Source could yield tighter bounds.Comment: To appear in proceedings of Workshop on Fundamental Physics with Pulsed Neutron Beams, held at the Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, June 1 -- 3, 2000. Nine page

Electrons, New Physics, and the Future of Parity-Violation

The study of parity-violation in semi-leptonic processes has yielded important insights into the structure of the Standard Model and the substructure of the nucleon. I discuss the future of semi-leptonic parity-violation and the role it might play in uncovering physics beyond the Standard Model.Comment: To apperar in the Proceedings of the Bates25 Symposium. 18pgs. Uses aipproc.sty (included

Probing the Fundamental Symmetries of the Early Universe: The Low Energy Frontier

Searching for the fundamental symmetries that characterize the particle physics of the early universe lies at the forefront of particle physics, nuclear physics, and cosmology. In this talk, I review low energy probes of these symmetries and discuss what they may teach us about what lies beyond the fundamental symmetries of the Standard Model.Comment: Plenary Talk, PANIC05 (Sante Fe, NM). 11 pages, no figure

Weak Interactions in Atoms and Nuclei: The Standard Model and Beyond

Studies in nuclear and atomic physics have played an important role in developing our understanding of the Standard Model of electroweak interactions. We review the basic ingredients of the Standard Model, and discuss some key nuclear and atomic physics experiments used in testing these ideas. We also summarize the conceptual issues of the Standard Model that motivate the search for new physics.Comment: 51 pages, 25 figure

An Analysis of Cooperating Teacher Feedback: A Qualitative Inquiry

Cooperating teachers are a key component to the success of student teaching internships, serving an integral part in “raising” a teacher. To effectively facilitate the student teaching internship, teacher preparation programs must identify cooperating teachers who align philosophically with the pedagogical training delivered by university programs (Korthagen & Kessels, 1999; Tom, 1997), specifically, cooperating teachers who can reinforce the theoretical framework underpinning the professional coursework pre-service teachers experience in university teacher preparation programs. This qualitative study sought to better understand the feedback provided to future school-based agricultural education (SBAE) teachers during their student teaching experience. Through initial and secondary coding, the research team identified themes among the feedback provided to student teachers by their cooperating teachers. The study revealed cooperating teacher feedback reflects the pedagogical training provided via the teacher preparation program, specifically, around effective teaching behaviors. Understanding the cooperating teacher feedback provides insight for teacher preparation programs