Alyssa Hamre Kontak
Email: akh46956@bethel.edu
Job Title
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Assistant Professor of Physics
Physics & Engineering, College of Arts and Sciences
Highlight
Prof. Hamre Kontak is passionate about teaching, including focusing on the exploration of new physics teaching methodology and doing some work in physics education research. Prior research focused on space plasma physics with a focus on the energy processes associated with the Northern Lights. She co-leads the Society for Physics Students group and she heads the Women in Physics & Engineering Club for the department.
Started at Bethel
2014
Education
- Wheaton College - B.S. in Physics, 2008
- University of Minnesota - M.S. in Physics, 2011
Biography
Prof. Hamre Kontak received her M.S. in Physics at the University of Minnesota after completing her B.S. in Physics at Wheaton College, IL. Her research is in space plasma physics with a focus on the energy processes associated with the Northern Lights. She continues to monitor space weather and tends to be very excited anytime there are large blobs of plasma coming off of the sun (a critical part of the energization process). She also earned a Minnesota teaching license in 9-12 physics completed through the graduate school at Bethel University.
Within the department, she focuses on the exploration of new physics teaching methodology, and she heads the Women in Physics & Engineering club and Bethel's chapter of the Society of Physics Students for the department. Prof. Kontak's passion is teaching, and her favorite part is when students' eyes light up at the "a-ha!'' moment of understanding.
Areas of expertise
Prof. Hamre Kontak is passionate about teaching, including focusing on the exploration of new physics teaching methodology and doing some work in physics education research. Prior research focused on space plasma physics with a focus on the energy processes associated with the Northern Lights. She co-leads the Society for Physics Students group and she heads the Women in Physics & Engineering Club for the department. She also currently serves as the Director of Advising for the College of Arts and Sciences.