Meeting Program

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Sessions, Panels, Posters, Plenaries, Committee Meetings, and Special Events

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Plenaries

  • APS Plenary: James Gates, University of Maryland

      • APS Plenary: James Gates, University of Maryland

      • PL04
      • Mon 07/27, 7:30PM - 8:30PM
      • Janelle M. Bailey
      • Type: Plenary
      • "Is SUSY the Guardian of Our Reality from Oblivion?" Our universe is apparently a place whose existence appears to be supported by finely wrought balances. For example, the size of the charge on an electron in contrast to its mass determines the size of atoms. If either quantity were substantially different from their observed values, the laws of chemistry could be changed so that biological processes could not occur. There are other measured quantities in Nature which could make even more dramatic differences. If the ratio of the mass of the recently discovered Higgs Boson to the so-called top quark were substantially different, the laws of physics could be changed in such a way that quantum fluctuations imply an instability in the very existence of our universe. One proposed aspect of Nature called "supersymmetry'' seems to provide a way to avoid this fate and it is discussed in this presentation. Co-sponsored by the American Physical Society Forum on Education and the Division of Particles and Fields.
  • Andrew Gemant Award * Ainissa Ramirez

      • Andrew Gemant Award * Ainissa Ramirez

      • PL07
      • Tue 07/28, 4:00PM - 5:00PM

      • Type: Plenary
      • Our Sputnik Moment in STEM Education: It wasn’t that long ago when Sputnik-- a beach-ball size satellite -- was launched into the Russian sky and galvanized America to reexamine its commitment to science education. Today, we need to make a similar recommitment to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) as evidenced by our international testing scores. Yet the numbers on a page do not garner the same reaction as that satellite did long ago. Additionally, those who do STEM do not reflect the demographic of our nation, which means that not all perspectives are part of this larger national conversation. Moreover, as new materials are made, such as nanotechnology, all citizens need to be aware of the impact of such innovations—both positive and negative. This current situation underscores the value of science teachers. This talk will make a case for the importance of STEM education, will discuss some of the fascinating work in nanotechnology, and will emphasize why science teachers are key to not only improving science literacy, but to sustaining democracy.
  • Awards Session: David Weintraub, 2015 Klopsteg Memorial Lecture Award

      • Awards Session: David Weintraub, 2015 Klopsteg Memorial Lecture Award

      • PL06
      • Tue 07/28, 10:45AM - 12:00PM
      • Steven Iona
      • Type: Plenary
      • Exoplanets: The Pace of Discovery and The Potential Impact on Humanity - Astronomers have now discovered thousands of planets in orbit around other stars. I will briefly describe how those discoveries have been made and predict the progress astronomers are likely to make in their studies of these planets over the next fifty years, as we begin to study these planets in detail. Then we will consider the consequences of those potential discoveries, which are likely to be profound. The twentieth century inventor and visionary Buckminster Fuller once said, “Sometimes I think we’re alone. Sometimes I think we’re not. In either case, the thought is staggering.” Astronomers are on the cusp of discoveries that may be both profound and staggering, and we’d best be ready.
  • Awards Session: Dwain Desbien, 2015 David Halliday and Robert Resnick Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Physics Teaching

      • Awards Session: Dwain Desbien, 2015 David Halliday and Robert Resnick Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Physics Teaching

      • PL02
      • Mon 07/27, 10:30AM - 12:00PM
      • Steven Iona
      • Type: Plenary
      • Introductory Physics: What We Teach, How We Teach It, and What We Should Be Doing! - Much of what we teach in introductory physics is centuries old and how we have taught it has changed very little in the last 100 years. While this is not news to most members hearing this talk, the better question is why have things not changed? What changes can we and should we be making in our curriculum, in our departments and in our institutions? Why has change been slow even though physics education research (PER) is clearly showing us things we should be modifying? While, I wish I had all the absolute answers to these questions, I will discuss and share some thoughts and suggestions on what and how we can affect changes in our departments and in the broader physics community.
  • Awards Session: Gillian Winters, 2015 Paul W. Zitzewitz Excellence in Pre-College Teaching Award

      • Awards Session: Gillian Winters, 2015 Paul W. Zitzewitz Excellence in Pre-College Teaching Award

      • PL01
      • Mon 07/27, 10:30AM - 12:00PM
      • Steven Iona
      • Type: Plenary
      • Carpe Diem. Seize the Opportunity! - "Opportunity breeds success” is a statement that rings true both for students and for professionals. In general, students learn what they are taught, and some students manage to go beyond what they are taught in either depth or in breadth. Opportunities, however, can open up a whole universe to many students, where they can learn about things they would never have dreamed of, and environments in which they can thrive. Professionals, whether they are teachers or are in other disciplines, can have fulfilling jobs and careers. Opportunities can add dimensions to teachers’ programs and excitement to teachers’ careers. I will discuss some opportunities available to students, and examples of how some students have thrived in their new environments. In addition, I will discuss some opportunities available to high school teachers, that have lead to rewarding experiences and richer programs back in the classroom.
  • Awards Session: Kathleen Harper, Jill Marshall, Marie Plumb, Scott Schultz, and Albert Thompson, Homer L. Dodge Citation for Distinguished Service

      • Awards Session: Kathleen Harper, Jill Marshall, Marie Plumb, Scott Schultz, and Albert Thompson, Homer L. Dodge Citation for Distinguished Service

      • PL03
      • Mon 07/27, 10:30AM - 12:00PM
      • Steven Iona
      • Type: Plenary
      • Established in 1953 and renamed in recognition of one of the AAPT founders, Homer L. Dodge in 2012, the Homer L. Dodge Citation for Distinguished Service to AAPT is presented to members in recognition of their exceptional contributions to the association at the national, sectional, or local level.
  • Fellows Recognition

      • Fellows Recognition

      • PL05
      • Tue 07/28, 10:30AM - 12:00PM
      • Steven Iona
      • Type: Plenary
      • The criterion for selection of Fellows is exceptional contribution to AAPT’s mission, to enhance the understanding and appreciation of physics through teaching. Fellowship is a distinct honor signifying recognition by one's professional peers.
  • Millikan Medal - Robert A. Morse, St. Albans School (Emeritus)

      • Awards Session: Robert A. Morse, Millikan Medal

      • PL08
      • Wed 07/29, 10:30AM - 11:30PM
      • Steven Iona
      • Type: Plenary
      • Facets of Physics Teaching – Pedagogical Engineering in the High School Classroom: Historically, the practice of engineering developed as a cut-and-try discipline separately from science. As knowledge accumulated, the two disciplines began to inform each other. Early in my career, much the same was true of the relation between the art and craft of teaching and the science of learning. In the half century since, significant useful knowledge about learning physics has been developed by the growing physics education research community, particularly regarding introductory physics. Simultaneously, the development of powerful computer technology has made a variety of relatively expensive powerful equipment available to schools. Teachers must decide how to select and use newly available resources effectively, a process which might be called curriculum design but that I prefer to think of as pedagogical engineering. I will discuss and give examples of this process and touch as well on various other aspects of improving physics teaching in high schools.