Mr Tristan David O'Hanlon
BSc, PGDipSci (Physics), GradDipEd (Seconday Education)
Biography
I obtained my BSc from the University of Auckland in 2006 and began my career as a secondary school physics teacher in 2008. While teaching, I completed my PGDipSci (Physics) in 2010.
During my career as a teacher, I have been the Head of Department and have extensive experience with the NCEA and CIE (Cambridge International Examinations) curricula. I have organised national physics events: the International Young Physicists Tournament and CERN Masterclass. I have also overseen student visits to CERN and NASA.
I work alongside Auckland secondary school physics teachers is organising the annual Physics Teacher's Day held at the University of Auckland.
In 2019, I ran the Auckland University ChipSAT Hackathon.
I am currently studying for my MSc in Climate Physics
As well as teaching in the stage one physics programme, and I am the undergraduate coordinator for Te Pūnaha Ātea -- Auckland Space Institute, where I support students designing and building payloads to be launched on a CubeSAT platform into space.
Research | Current
Investigating climate model biases compared with satellite data for clouds over the Southern Ocean.
Investigating strategies to enhance the training of teaching assistants in stage one physics labs.
Teaching | Current
- TFCPHYS 91F - Foundation Physics I
- Physics 102 - Basic Concepts of Physics
- Physics 160 – Physics for the Life Sciences
Previous:
- TFCPHYS 92F - Foundation Physics II
Responsibilities
- Undergraduate coordinator for Te Pūnaha Ātea -- Auckland Space Institute
- Laboratory coordination for Physics 160
- Lecturing and teaching development in first-year physics courses
- Teaching assistant support and training
Areas of expertise
- Physics Teaching and Learning
- Teaching Assistant Training
- Physics Outreach
Committees/Professional groups/Services
- Te Pūnaha Ātea -- Auckland Space Institute
- STEM Online
- CERN Masterclass Organising Committee
Contact details
Primary office location
SCIENCE CENTRE 303 - Bldg 303
38 PRINCES ST
AUCKLAND CENTRAL
AUCKLAND 1010
New Zealand