Mr Tristan David O'Hanlon

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 helped to organise the Auckland University ChipSAT Hackathon.

As well as teaching in the stage one physics programme, I am currently studying for my MSc in Climate Physics and I am the programme coordinator for the undergraduate Auckland Programme for Space Systems (APSS).

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

• Programme coordinator for Auckland Programme for Space Systems (APSS)
• Laboratory coordination for Physics 160
• Teaching development in first-year physics courses
• Teaching assistant support and training

Areas of expertise

• Physics Teaching and Learning
• Teaching Assistant Training

Committees/Professional groups/Services

• Auckland Programme for Space Systems (APSS)
• STEM Online
• NZ Young Physicists Tournament - Regional Organising Committee
• CERN Masterclass Organising Committee