Rate My Professor Hunter Reaves

Hunter Reaves is an Assistant Instructional Professional in the Department of Physics at Arizona State University on the Tempe campus, where he plays a vital role in the Physics Instructional Resource Team (PIRT). PIRT is dedicated to providing high-quality instructional resources for physics education, including lecture demonstrations covering topics from classical mechanics to modern physics, and comprehensive support for introductory undergraduate physics laboratory courses. The team's efforts focus on empowering students with positive experiences in verifying scientific ideas through experimentation while maintaining strict lab safety guidelines. As an instructor, Reaves teaches key laboratory courses such as University Physics Laboratory II (PHY 63700), scheduled for Thursdays from 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM in PSH 364, and General Physics Laboratory I (PHY 114), offered on Tuesdays from 8:00 AM to 9:50 AM in PSH 362 during fall semesters. These hands-on courses are integral to the scientific curriculum at ASU, fostering practical skills in physics experimentation for undergraduate students.

In addition to his instructional duties, Hunter Reaves contributes significantly to advancing physics pedagogy. In July 2023, he served as the presenting author for the contributed talk 'Applications of 3D Printing for Creating Budget-Friendly Physics Labs and Demonstrations' at the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) Summer Meeting, Session B10: Accessible Lab Equipment. Collaborating with ASU PIRT colleagues Nik Awtrey, Brandon Gaydusek, and Jesse Sakstrup, the presentation demonstrated the use of 3D printing to create cost-effective alternatives to expensive commercial equipment. Examples included a projectile launcher and an electric field plotting apparatus, each designed to meet specific lab objectives. The talk compared these innovations to pricier counterparts and provided an overview of the design and printing process, highlighting 3D printing's potential to enhance accessibility in physics labs. Reaves also demonstrates leadership in the physics education community as President of the Arizona Section of AAPT (AzAAPT), with his term running from September 1, 2025, to September 1, 2026, where he helps foster professional networks and advocate for physics teaching excellence.