Special Events

An Evening of Exploration at the Museum of Science

The Museum Of Science and the AAPT-New England Section welcome a national gathering of the American Association of Physics Teachers on Friday July 5th, 5 PM to 8 PM. The Museum of Science will generously open their exhibit area so that meeting attendees can enjoy an evening of exploration and discovery. Witness the effects of the Earth’s rotation as its Foucault pendulum incrementally topples pylons. Delight in gazing through a rotating analyzer to see hidden aspects within a polarized mural wax and wane. Observe the dynamic interplay of pendula, gates, balls, ramps, jumps, and wells in a kinetic sculpture entitled “Archimedean Excogitation”. Marvel at the world’s largest open air Van de Graaff generator, built by its namesake Robert Jemison himself, hurling megavolt bolts accompanied by musical Tesla coils during live shows at 5:30p and 6:30p in the Theater of Electricity.  

Arrive via a picturesque view of the skyline via the Seaport Ferry, mass transit (Google maps has integrated bus/subway routes), or Uber, and consider ending your evening with a sunset stroll along the Charles River Esplanade to the nation’s first public botanical garden, or to the historic Old North Church before dining at America’s oldest restaurant or another place in the North End. 

When: Friday, July 5, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Coffee Hour For New England Residents

Hosted by New England Section of AAPT - Connect and refresh with fellow physics researchers and educators from New England. 

When: Saturday, July 6, 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM at MIT
Monday, July 8 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM at the Westin Boston Seaport District hotel
Tuesday, July 9, 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM at the Westin Boston Seaport District hotel

Early Career Professional Speed Networking

Career development and networking can be time consuming, so AAPT is offering a fun and exciting way to get connected to a large number of early career and seasoned physics professionals in a short amount of time. Speed networking provides the opportunity to discuss career goals and challenges with a new contact for five minutes, exchange information, and then move on to the next person. By the end of the event each participant will have meaningful interactions with over half a dozen colleagues and the opportunity to meet many more. If you think you made a good contact, follow up with the person and schedule a time to meet for coffee. It's that simple! By the end of the first day of the conference, you would have already made several personal connections with other attendees. If you have business cards, don't forget to bring them.

When: Sunday, July 7 from 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM

STEP UP Physics Nosh and Know

Come join our STEP UP Physics community for a snack and learn about our program and opportunities for high school physics teachers, teacher preparation faculty, STEM education faculty, and physics education practitioners. We are a welcoming community for all the physics educators interested in shifting cultures within physics education classrooms and making physics more welcoming for different types of students. During this session, we will summarize our program, answer your questions, mingle, snack, and build community. 

When: Monday, July 8 from 12:30 PM to 1:15 PM

Phenomenal Physics! The American Association of Physics Teachers' Demonstration Show

When: Monday, July 8 from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Limited Transportation to Demo Show - Entry is first come, first served.

Join us at Harvard’s Historic Sanders Theatre in Memorial Hall (45 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA 02138)  for the highly anticipated Demo Show at the 2024 AAPT Summer Meeting! This exciting event showcases captivating physics demonstrations designed to educate, entertain, and inspire. Renowned educators and demonstrators from across the country will present a variety of engaging and innovative experiments, highlighting key concepts in physics in a fun and accessible way. 

An entry ticket is required for the Demo Show, and it can be picked up the day of at Sanders Theatre from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. (a half hour after showtime at 8 p.m.). 

Limited pre-purchased bus tickets are available $26 (round-trip). An entry ticket to the Demo Show is included.

• Time of bus departures from the hotel:
  Buses will depart from the Westin Boston Seaport promptly at 7:15 p.m.

• Time of bus departures from Harvard:

• Return buses leave at 9:15 p.m., and the last bus departs at 9:30 p.m. sharp.

• Duration of trip: The bus ride will be approximately 30 minutes each way.

• Please note: ADA accessibility for buses: All Harvard shuttles comply with accessibility requirements.

Alternatively, you can take:

• Uber/Lyft is $23-$70 one-way, shareable between 4-6 riders. Reserve in advance through the app (Android, iPhone) to ensure a ride and avoid delays.

• MBTA Boston’s Public transportation is approximately $5.
            -Walk 10 minutes to the Red Line Direction, Alewife (South Station)
            -Ride 6 Stops.
            -Exit Harvard Stop
            -Walk 5 minutes to Harvard’s Historic Sanders Theatre in Memorial Hall

Doors Open: The Demo Show doors will open at 7:30 p.m., and the Demo Show will start promptly at 8:00 p.m. 

AAPT Fun Run/Walk

Walkers and runners get up and get going! Lace up your shoes and enjoy the fresh air with your colleagues. Thanks to the generosity of Vernier, complimentary t-shirts, water, and fruit will be provided for all participants. Specific details about the route will be emailed to all walkers and runners.  Walkers are encouraged to participate! By registering for this event, you grant AAPT permission to share your email address with the designated AAPT member facilitator responsible for distributing the route and any pertinent information.

When: Tuesday, July 9 from 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM

Game Night

Wind down the night and meet new friends with a round of table tennis, foos ball or bring your favorite game and card games.

When: Tuesday, July 9 from 9:00 PM to 11:59 PM

Yoga Class

Relax and rejuvenate with this complimentary yoga class located in the pool area of the The Westin Waterfront Seaport District.

When: Wednesday, July 10 at 6:30 am

Meetups

Monday, July 8     

7:45 AM to 8:45  PM

• International Meet-Up
• Two Year College Meet-Up

8:15 AM to 8:45 AM

• First Timer's Gathering

Tuesday, July 18

11:00 AM to 11:30 AM

• Accessibility Meet-Up
• K-12 Teacher Meet-Up (@ K-12 Lounge during Open Lounge)

8:30 PM to 10:00 PM

• LGBTQ+ Meet-Up

Please be advised that dates and times mentioned on this page are subject to change. We recommend checking back periodically for any updates or revisions.