Dr. Joan BORG MARKS joined the UM in 1995 and currently holds the position of Lecturer in Physics. She is posted at the UM Junior College lecturing Physics at Advanced and Intermediate levels. Dr. BORG MARKS graduated B.Sc.(Hons)(Melit) in Physics and Chemistry in 1974. She started teaching immediately after graduating and taught Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics at De La Salle College, Cottonera. In 1981, she started teaching Physics and Mathematics at SEC Level at a Government Secondary school. She was transferred to the Higher Secondary school and then to G.F. Abela Upper Lyceum where she taught Physics at Advanced level. In 1995 Dr. BORG MARKS completed the Diploma in Educational Administration and Management. She furthered her studies at the University of Loughborough graduating M.A.(Education Studies). Her thesis was based on research about gifted children. She then read for a Ph.D. with the University of York UK. Her research on Mental Modelling in Current Electricity involved learners of different ability, including the gifted. Dr. BORG MARKS has been Malta contact person in the EU funded projects STEPS 1, STEPS 2 and HOPE. She has presented her research at GIREP and ESERA conferences and has acted as expert reviewer on EU projects, including the project SECURE. Dr. BORG MARKS has also participated in teacher mobility programmes, amongst them with the University of Coimbra in Portugal. She has also been involved in voluntary work with a group that she founded, ASTRO-CLUB Malta. This group was responsible for the setting up of Planet Walk in Qawra. Dr. BORG MARKS is a member of the organising committee of the Junior College Multidisciplinary Conference, “Research, Practice and Collaborationâ€. She is also co-editor of Symposia Melitensia 2018 which will publish chosen conference papers. She is involved in the organisation of professional development seminars for members of staff at the Physics Department Junior College. She was also involved in organising the first Masterclass in Particle Physics organised at the UM for students in the age range 16 – 19. This event was conducted by physicists from CERN in 2017.
