The theme of the meeting is "50 Years with Lasers." There will be a tutorial, "Teaching About Lasers," on Saturday (co-sponsored by LaserFest). Then, Monday will be "Laser Day," featuring 2.5 hours of plenary presentations on uses of lasers in precision frequency measurement (optical frequency combs), biomedical imaging and diagnosis and treatment of the eye. Laser Day will also feature the premier of a new documentary on the development and applications of lasers produced by SPIE (international optical engineering society).

Among the many interesting sessions at SM2010 will be Physics, Technological Innovation, and Careers in the Pacific Northwest, Biomedical Labs for Introductory and Advanced Physics Courses, Dealing with Mathematical Difficulties in Lower and Upper Division Physics Courses, Authentic Assessment in the Physics Classroom, Multiple Models for Mentoring (a panel and an invited/contributed session), Science and Religion, Promoting Diversity in Physics Education, PTRA at its 25th Anniversary (a special plenary), and When Scientists Should Step In: Media, Politics, and Science (a special session with invited speakers from government and the press). For workshops, there will be—among many others— LabVIEW Instruction for the Advanced Laboratory, Research Based Alternatives to Traditional Problems in Introductory Physics, What Every Physics Teacher Should Know About Cognitive Science, Critical Thinking in Astronomy, and Enhancing your Course with Activities Arising from Physics Educational Research.

SM2010 will also feature tours of Vernier Software and Technology, a gala demonstration show in the Portland Performing Arts Center (sponsored by Vernier and featuring professional vaudeville performers and a laser light show sponsored by LaserFest), and an urban picnic in downtown Portland, just two blocks walk from the headquarters Portland Hilton hotel (also sponsored by Vernier).

Best regards,

David Sokoloff
AAPT President Elect and Summer 2010 Program Chair
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon

*By the way, that’s wil-LAMM-met, and it’s ORR-i-g n. Practice!
** Washington Park is just a 12-minute MAX ride from the Hilton, and is also home to the Oregon Zoo, Hoyt Arboretum, World Forestry Center, Portland Children’s Museum, International Rose Test Garden, Portland Japanese Garden, Oregon Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Oregon Holocaust Memorial. The Washington Park MAX station is the deepest subway station in North America! The station itself is a study in Oregon geology, and the elevators mark their position—not by conventional floor numbers—but by “the present” and “16 million years ago.”