eNNOUNCER August 2019
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AAPT News
2019 AAPT Board of Directors Election
The election of officers for the AAPT Board of Directors will begin in September. Members will receive instructions through email or, if no email is on file, through the mail to help you vote electronically. Be sure your email address and membership are current so you can participate. Learn more about the candidates. Read more
AAPT Congressional Visit Day Highlights the Importance of Effective and Inclusive STEM Classrooms
The Board of Directors of the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) has again partnered with the American Institute of Physics (AIP) Public Policy Team to engage congress in important discussions around Physics and STEM Education. #AAPTontheHill Read more
Be a Part of the AAPT Delegation to Egypt!
As President and Executive Officer of the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), we are honored to have been selected as leaders of the AAPT delegation to Egypt. We invite you, as an AAPT member, to join us in this important international exchange. In conjunction with World Learning, a US-based nonprofit organization, this delegation has been developed to foster one-on-one dialogue with our overseas counterparts. Our delegation will continue World Learning's 85-year legacy of advancing leadership through engaging citizens and forming networks between US and international counterparts. This delegation, specializing in STEM and Physics Education, will convene in Cairo, Egypt in December 2019. We believe you would contribute valued expertise to the team while gaining both personally and professionally from the experience. Read more
Donate and Nominate: New award for AAPT members who are Early Career Emerging Leaders
At the AAPT 2018 Summer Meeting, the AAPT Board of Directors established the new AAPT Early Career Emerging Leader (EXCEL) Award. While most AAPT awards recognize members who are more established in their careers, this particular award supports members who are at the start of their careers, through a monetary prize, mentorship, and professional development. These are the members who will serve AAPT in exciting leadership roles for years to come and can bring fresh, innovative ideas to the organization. This investment in AAPT's new leaders is an investment in AAPT's long-term success. Nominations will be accepted soon. Click here to learn more Click here to donate online
SM19 Highlights
Nearly 1100 physics educators came together in the land of towering mountains and blue skies to participate in the 2019 Summer Meeting. With this meeting being held in Provo, Utah attendees recognized that the place where they were assembled is traditional Native American land during a ceremony at the Welcome reception. They were able to participate in a "Days of '47" rodeo and enjoy other celebrations relating the the anniversary of the first pioneers in Utah along with a full week of physics education. Learn more.
Abstract Submission for the 2020 AAPT Winter Meeting
AAPT will be accepting abstracts for the 2020 AAPT Winter Meeting in Orlando, Florida from August 7 to September 18. This is a great opportunity to present your innovative research and share creative teaching methods with your peers. Please click here to submit your abstract starting August 7.
AAPT Books Program - Calling All Authors!
We are interested in hearing from authors who desire to publish books in the areas of physics content, the history and philosophy of physics, physics education research, and the application of pedagogical techniques in physics. Book topics must fit within the AAPT mission of “enhancing the understanding and appreciation of physics through teaching.” We have prepared guidelines to help us evaluate prospective book ideas as we seek a publisher. If you are interested in authoring an AAPT book, please review the guidelines and consider submitting a proposal. Send questions about authoring an AAPT book to eo@aapt.org.
Help Support National Meeting Attendees!
AAPT is committed to making sure that our national meetings are as accessible as possible to as many as possible. Our physics education community thrives when we can hear diverse voices and perspectives.
Did you know that AAPT offers assistance via small grants to individuals attending AAPT's summer and winter meeting who have childcare, dependent care, or elder care or who need assistance because of a disability? Did you also know that AAPT offers small travel grants for the summer and winter meetings to AAPT, NSHP, or NSBP members who need additional financial assistance including a few grants specifically to high school and two year college faculty who are from underrepresented groups and/or from institutions whose students are predominantly underrepresented?
Below are some examples of the impact that these grants have had:
"The grant allowed me to attend the meeting by helping to pay for a specialized caretaker ... and a babysitter."
"I was able to attend the meeting with my 3 month old child by bringing my spouse to help with childcare during the meeting."
"I was able to concentrate while attending the conference because I knew that my children were in good hands."
"My caretaker was able to transport me in a car and support me during my presentation while attending so that I didn't become too exhausted."
"I will be forever grateful for this opportunity to attend the AAPT national meeting."
"I was so excited to give my first invited talk at a large conference. Since my institution typically doesn't support travel, the AAPT travel grant made it possible for me to attend. Impact: 100%."
"If I had to cover all of the expenses myself I would have had to find a cheap hotel outside of town... With this grant I was able to stay at a hotel downtown making it much easier to attend evening events and also meet up with and network with other physics teachers."
"I was not in good financial position [and] the grant gave me [the] opportunity to participate for the first time."
Help AAPT continue to impact individuals and our field! Please donate to these funds to sustain these grants for future conferences! Read More
AAPT Programs
US Physics Team Finishes 5th in 50th IPhO
International Physics Olympiad came to a close on Sunday, July 15, 2019 in a ceremony that included jubilant winners, dance and music performances, and speeches, all reflecting the many cultures represented in the Olympiad. Between examinations the physics scholars toured Israel, from floating in the Dead Sea to hiking in national parks.
The U.S. Physics team took home two gold and three silver medals at the 50th International Physics Olympiad hosted in Tel Aviv, Israel from July 7-15, 2019. As a team, the United States team ranked fifth in the overall score. Read more
Support the U.S. Physics Team - Donate Now
Each year AAPT sponsors a competition for high school students to represent the United States at the International Physics Olympiad Competition. The mission of the U.S. Physics Team Program is to promote and demonstrate academic excellence through preparation for and participation in the International Physics Olympiad. AAPT is responsible for recruiting, selecting and training teams each year to compete in the International Physics Olympiad Competition. Your contribution is needed to support these high school students as they prepare to represent the U.S. internationally. Donate now!
2019 AAPT PhysicsBowl Contest Results!
Results for the 2019 AAPT PhysicsBowl Contest have been posted. Check Results Here!.
STEP UP
Not all women in the average physics high school class know the power of a physics degree. The STEP UP project is changing that by providing high school physics teachers with research-based pedagogical tools that are shown to inspire young women to pursue physics. Our movement is changing the culture of physics with physics educators, researchers, and professional societies at the forefront. If you haven't yet, join the 1,000+ strong movement by registering at the STEP UP website! There you will find lesson plans on Careers in Physics & Women in Physics, an Everyday Actions guide to support shifting classroom culture, instructional videos, and FAQs on lesson implementation. If you are already a community member, be sure to share STEP UP with other physics teachers to ensure all students have the chance to learn about the power of physics.
ChicagoLand PICUP Computational Physics Workshop
Save the date: The 2019 ChicagoLand PICUP Workshop will be taking place at Lewis University on Sept. 20 & 21. If you are in the Chicago area, and wish to integrate computation into your physics courses, this workshop is for you. Please click here for more information. For those who attended last year's workshop, repeat attendees are welcome.
PhysTEC Teacher of the Year Announced
PhysTEC's 2019 National Teacher of the Year is Matthew Blackman of Ridge High School in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Each year, PhysTEC recognizes outstanding high school physics educators who exemplify the value of physics teacher preparation programs. Teachers are nominated by PhysTEC member institutions. View the list of local Teacher of the Year recipients and Learn more.
PhysTEC RFP
PhysTEC is now accepting recruiting grant proposals. Awardees will receive $25,000 to implement a two-year improvement plan for their physics teacher training programs. Do not miss this opportunity to elevate the success of your program and help curb the national deficit of qualified physics educators! Final proposals are due by September 27. Learn more.
AAPT Membership
AAPT Member Spotlight
Wendy Adams
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, Colorado
Read More
Membership Renewal
We appreciate our community of members, and we are here to serve you. If you have any difficulties renewing your membership or have any membership-related questions, please do not hesitate to contact us in the Membership Department at 301.209.3333 or membership@aapt.org.
Member Discounts Now Available!
AAPT Members can now take advantage of major discounts at retailers such as Hertz, Office Depot/Office Max and HotelEngine.com. You save a percentage of your bill and a portion of the proceeds helps to support AAPT as well! We will be launching the program in the coming weeks, so be sure to check the Member Discounts Program page for details.
New AAPT Member Benefit: Up to 25 Free Downloads of AIP Journals Every Year
AAPT has partnered with AIP Publishing on a valuable new benefit. AAPT members now have access to 25 free article downloads every year from any of the AIP Publishing journals
This is an exclusive AAPT member benefit. Access any one of the journals in this list, now by clicking the 'SIGN IN' link in the right hand corner, and logging in with your Scitation username and password. Access the full text of an article from the journal by going to the article page and clicking either the "PDF" download or the "FULL TEXT" menu buttons. You will then be given an option to use one of your AAPT member credits to access the article. If you do not have a Scitation username and password e-mail Scitation and let them know.
Articles you download will be saved in your Scitation profile. AAPT members receive 25 free downloads each year as long as their membership remains in good standing.
Thank you for supporting AAPT, and we hope you enjoy this new membership benefit.
Applications Now Being Accepted for Jossem Fund Grants
Applications are currently being accepted for the E. Leonard Jossem Fund. The E. Leonard (Len) Jossem International Education Fund provides grants to individuals in support of international programs dealing with teaching and learning of physics. The fund will be available for two different categories:
• Collaborations between U.S. and developing countries. Funding should facilitate interactions and exchanges of ideas between U.S. physics educators and/or students and those in developing countries.
• International meetings and conferences focused on physics education. Meetings and conferences should involve direct contact between physics educators and furnish the interactions that stimulate new ideas and lasting collaborations. Students and faculty with limited resources can apply for funding to attend international meetings and conferences.
The Jossem Fund invites applications from physics educators who are AAPT members at any academic stage or rank. Only AAPT members may apply. Awards will range from $200 to $2,000. Applications must be received by late spring or early summer. The deadline is June 7 for consideration during the 2019 fiscal year. Applications will be reviewed by the Special Projects and Philanthropy Committee. Click here for more information.
K-State Professor Receives International Award for Lasting Contributions to Physics Education
Dr. Dean Zollman, Kansas State University Distinguished Professor emeritus of physics, received the 2019 GIREP Medal from the International Group on Research in Physics Education "for significant and durable contributions, at all levels, to the physics education community." Read more
Physics Teacher Working with U.S. Congressman Scott Tipton (CO-3)
Roaring Fork High School Physics Teacher Alisa Grimes is now working with U.S. Congressman Scott Tipton (CO-3) to advance the proposed "Teacher Are Leaders Act of 2019." Tipton is co-sponsoring the bill in the House along with Colorado U.S. Senator Cory Gardner in the Senate. Read more
Teachers and Faculty Who Have Tutored Physics?
The AAPT Committee on the Interests of Senior Physicists (CISP) is considering organizing sessions or workshops on tutoring in physics and astronomy. We think that such sessions would be of particular interest to physics teachers looking for post-retirement occupations.
Do you know teacher or faculty member who has tutored physics at any level? If so, please send their names and email addresses to Charlie Holbrow, Chair of CISP (chholbrow@gmail.com). CISP would like to get in contact with them and learn about their experiences and explore how we might share these with interested colleagues.
The possibilities for tutoring online either on your own or through some online agency are of particular interest, but there are useful things to say about any sort of tutoring. CISP wants to gather information about all modes of tutoring physics and make the information widely available.
Support New Teachers!
Are you interested in the ways you can 'pay it forward'? Have you thought about how you can truly impact the future? Consider supporting the next generation of physics teachers with your tax deductible donation to the AAPT New Teacher Fund. Your generosity helps to provide professional development opportunities to new, and early career educators, with a membership in AAPT. Proceeds from this fund underwrite much of the cost of membership dues and, enables us to expand our outreach efforts.
Call for Award Nominations
The AAPT Awards Committee invites nominations for all of AAPT awards, citations, and medals. We are particularly interested in nominations for AAPT Fellows and for the Homer L. Dodge Citation for Distinguished Service to AAPT.
Free Individual Membership in the Council on Undergraduate Research for Faculty in Institutions with Enhanced Membership
One of AAPT's frequent collaborative organizations, the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) has an enhanced institutional member category. For a list of CUR’s enhanced members, please see this webpage. If you, and other faculty, administrators, and students are at a CUR enhanced member institution, your individual membership is FREE. All you need to do is to sign-up, remembering to choose the division of physics and astronomy as your “home” in CUR. CUR’s physics and astronomy division is very active, and more members would be welcome!
Please refer to the Membership Tab of the CUR website (https://www.cur.org)) hover over “Become a Member”, select the Individual Membership Online Application, and select your institution’s name from the dropdown list. A “pop up” message will announce that you have added onto the Enhanced Membership, click OK and complete the application form. Thanks for sharing this great opportunity to connect with CUR with your colleagues in physics and/or astronomy departments.
Infusing Engineering into the Science Classroom
Join other teachers seeking to integrate engineering into their science classroom with this unique professional development opportunity. Headed by AAPT/AIP Master Teacher Policy fellows Matthew Peterie and Andrew Edmondson, you will learn from experienced and skillful teachers. The cost will be $385 for individual attendee which includes your registration for the year long program and meals for the two days at Olathe Northwest. If a group of teachers from a building or district would like to attend, reduced pricing is available. After registering your team by completing the form below, subsequent correspondence will make arrangements for payment. Sign up here
Pass on the exciting news! Fulbright DAST Cycle II projects are open for U.S. K-12 educators!
The Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Short-Term Program for U.S. Teachers (Fulbright DAST) provides an opportunity for outstanding K-12 teachers from the United States to take part in a two- to six-week professional development experience overseas. Fulbright DAST Cycle II projects will take place in 12 different countries between October 2019 - May 2020.
In the News
International Newsletter on Physics Education
The April/May issue of the International Newsletter on Physics Education published by the International Commission on Physics Education is now available. Click here for more information.
Dick and Rae's Demo Notebook
Print copies of the widely used Dick and Rae's Physics Demo Notebook by Richard Minnix and Rae Carpenter are still available through the Physics and Astronomy Department at Virginia Military Institute. The Notebook contains detailed instructions and pictures for about 600 demos in all areas of physics. Dick and Rae used the Notebook for many years for their two-week intensive workshops on lecture demos. Send a $45 check (or invoice) to Col. Timothy M. Hodges, Head Department of Physics and Astronomy Virginia Military Institute Lexington, VA 24450 Email: hodgestm@vmi.edu Phone: 540-464-7123 The $45 includes postage and any applicable sales tax. All proceeds will go to an educational fund in the VMI Foundation
Get print copies, digital access, educator guides & more - Sign up now for Science News in High Schools
Through the generous support of program sponsors, the Society for Science & the Public is excited to offer free annual subscriptions of Science News magazine to public high schools and public charter schools for the 2019-2020 academic year through the Science News in High Schools program. Sign up now for Science News in High Schools and, at no cost to you or your school, receive 10 hard copies of the biweekly magazine, supplementary digital Educator Guides for each issue, free digital access for the entire faculty and student population to the complete archive of journalism and educator resources, and access to an online community of educators. Science News, published since 1922, provides an approachable overview from all fields and applications of STEM daily on the web and biweekly in a published magazine. To learn more about the program, click here.
The Living Physics Portal is now seeking beta users!
The Living Physics Portal is a new online environment for physics faculty to share and discuss free curricular resources for teaching introductory physics for life sciences (IPLS). The objective of the Portal is to improve the education of the next generation of medical professionals and biologists by making physics classes more relevant for life sciences students. We are currently looking for beta users to contribute curricular materials to this early version of the site, browse our existing collection of high quality materials from our team, and give us feedback on the site. To learn more about what's available in the beta version of the site, and what will be available in the future, see what's available and what's coming and become a beta tester. To get involved in our upcoming in-person events, see our events page.
JavaScript Physlet Physics Now Available
The new JavaScript edition of Physlet Physics is now available from the Open Source Physics ComPADRE Collection. The original functionality and interactivity of Physlets is maintained and all 800+ Illustrations, Explorations, and Problems are mobile friendly and ready-to-use by students without installing any additional plug-in. Try them out on AAPT-ComPADRE at: www.compadre.org/physlets/
Student Research Foundation
Please help us to identify strategies to close the gap between STEM supply and STEM demand. If you receive a package of surveys by mail, please complete them. If you have not yet received a mailed survey package from The Research Consortium on STEM Career Pathways, please ensure that you and your students are included by filling out this simple online form or by emailing info@studentresearchfoundation.org. Thank you for participating!
To the GIREP Members and Sympathizers
GIREP is working on improving even more the quality of Teaching and Learning Physics with different initiatives with the goal to support the production of research results, studies and in general teaching proposals based on PER. Contributing to this goal are the excellent Conferences and Seminars, organized more and more in collaboration with other bodies, the very active and qualified GTGs instituted in the last years and the contracts with the Springer and IOP for ISI books of selected papers. Content research, design based research and integration of research with practice is characterizing the GIREP members and sympathizers. Read More
Career Toolbox for Undergraduates
The Careers Toolbox for Undergraduate Physics Students is a set of tools and exercises designed to help undergraduate physics students prepare to enter the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics workforce. Tools range from exploring the common job titles of physics bachelor's to preparing for interviews, and are all geared specifically for physics students. This resource is brought to you by the American Institute of Physics and the Society of Physics Students. The 4th Edition is now ready for use.
Help students find the right grad program. Tell them about GradSchoolShopper.com
Advise your students to check out GradSchoolShopper.com, the most complete directory of graduate programs in the physical sciences. Students headed for graduate school can use this FREE service to search by degree programs, admission deadlines, research specialties, faculty profiles, GRE requirements, and more! If your program isn't listed, contact us to find out how to have it included.
Highly Trained STEM Teachers Needed to Boost America's Global Competitiveness, According to New Study
The United States' global competitiveness is at risk as the nation confronts persistent shortages of STEM teachers. More than half of all high school physics teachers lacked certification in the discipline in 2012, for example. As a result, students who are interested in STEM careers find themselves ill prepared to compete in an increasingly highly technical workforce.
A new study by the American Physical Society, in collaboration with the American Chemical Society, Computing Research Association, and Mathematics Teacher Education Partnership, addresses the reasons why STEM students shy away from teaching as a career and offers ways to counter the trend. Download the full report at www.aps.org/policy/reports.
American Modeling Teachers Association
During the 2018 summer, almost 800 teachers attended one of the 49 Modeling Workshops, held in 14 different states. Plans are currently being made for the 2019 season, in which we hope to have workshops in Physics (mechanics, E&M, waves, computational Modeling: Physics First, light and sound), chemistry (first and second semester), biology, physical science and workshops for middle school teachers. The workshop information will be made available in the spring on the website.
Contact Wendy wendy@modelinginstruction.org.
Face to Face Modeling Workshops
The 2019 face-to-face Modeling Workshops Cognition and Instruction in STEM, are posted on the website as we receive the information. Workshops have been planned for Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts and Ohio. Workshops are scheduled for physics, chemistry, biology, middle school and physical science. Click here for details.Physics Careers
Recruit STEM Interns from the Best Job Sites for FREE!
The AAPT Career Center offers no-cost postings to employers recruiting seasonal interns. Locate the best fit for your organization by reaching the future of the science community - the AAPT membership, as well as the members and student members of the American Physical Society (APS Physics), AVS Science and Technology, and the Society of Physics Students and Sigma Pi Sigma.
Get the word out! Your posting will also appear on the Physics Today Jobs site, which when combined with the job sites of the organizations mentioned above forms the ultimate online science, engineering, and computing career network, ensuring maximum relevant visibility for your internship. Visit https://jobs.aapt.org/employers/ to get posting!
Jobs Announcements from the Career Center
Physics Education Research Post-doc:
Colorado School of Mines
Click here for job description.
Assistant Professor of Physics
Carleton College
Click here for job description.
More Physics Resources
Social Media @ AAPT
AAPT wants to connect with you on social media! Stay abreast of the latest AAPT and physics-related news. We invite you to like us, follow us, connect with us, and pin us. You can find us here:
Section News
Please submit your Section Report for the AAPT Section News. To list your section meeting in the AAPT Calendar of Events, e-mail the information to mhall@aapt.org. See the Fall 2018 Section News. Spring 2019 Section News coming soon!
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© 2019, American Association of Physics Teachers
Table of Contents
Featured Journal Articles
American Journal of Physics
Data-driven decision making in an introductory physics lab
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The Physics Teacher
Using Games to Understand Physics Concepts
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