eNNOUNCER May 2025
Privacy Statement
AAPT News
An important message from AAPT leadership
We all recognize that this is a rapidly changing environment for AAPT, our community, and the federal agencies we interact with. It is unclear what the final outcomes may include, but many professional societies in science and education, including AAPT, are monitoring the situation. We are grappling with information about the situation as it comes in. Understandably, you are likely to be quite concerned on many levels, both professional and personal.
During volatile times, coming together becomes ever more important, collectively working towards positive steps forward. This is a time to foster our community, so no one stands alone. This is a time when the educational community matters more than ever, especially within the group engaged in the teaching and learning of Physics. AAPT is, fundamentally, a community - one that has always aimed to, and always will aim to, support its members and our shared mission. Let us know how we can help you as AAPT members - whether that consists of sharing information gleaned from our network of professional societies, asynchronous topical discussion on the COMMUNITIES site, a topical AAPT coffee hour, or some other means of collectively finding our way forward.
Submit your suggestions here about how AAPT can help you.
Read the statement from the AAPT Board of Directors affirming AAPT's values.
AAPT list of Physics Department Reviewers
AAPT is in the process of updating our list of Physics Department Reviewers. If you would like to be part of our department reviewer list, then please complete the form and upload your CV.
Information collected in this form will be shared with departments that contact AAPT requesting the list of potential reviewers. Your information will be reviewed before you are added to the list. AAPT will regularly update the list of departmental reviewers.
You must be an AAPT member to be on the list of reviewers.
Contact Julie McIntyre with any questions at jmcintyre@aapt.org.
Consider submitting a proposal to the Bauder fund by July 1, 2025 for consideration at the upcoming summer meeting
The Bauder fund provides support for equipment and workshops, especially for projects that donate the equipment to the participating teachers after the program ends. The Bauder committee meets at each AAPT meeting to rank the proposals, which are ultimately funded by the Board. The Bauder fund provides a great opportunity to receive funds for projects that might not have any other source of funding. Please take a look at the AAPT website for further details and consider submitting an application for this upcoming cycle. You will find detailed instructions and advice there as well. If you have any questions, please contact James Freericks, Bauder Committee Chair at james.freericks@georgetown.edu
AAPT joins other STEM professional societies supporting U.S. researchers, educators, and academics
"Scientific truths are nonpartisan. It has never been more important to recommit to scientific knowledge, and to ensure you have access to data, are free from censorship, and are able to do your valuable work.
We are committed to working every day to ensure that the researchers who have devoted their lives to discovery and truth can safely continue working to improve lives and benefit society."
Read the full message here.
AAPT Summer Meeting, August 2-6, 2025
Join us at the 2025 AAPT Summer Meeting Washington, D.C.!
Surround yourself with physics educators from around the world at the 2025 AAPT Summer Meeting in Washington, D.C.! This premier event brings together physics education professionals to exchange ideas, collaborate, and gain fresh insights into the field.
Engage with internationally recognized plenary speakers, attend cutting-edge sessions and interactive workshops, and participate in special activities designed to inspire and enhance your professional growth. This is your opportunity to share expertise, discover new teaching strategies, and network with leaders in the field.
Registration Is Now Open for the 2025 AAPT Summer Meeting!
Join us in Washington, D.C. for an inspiring week of learning, networking, and professional development. Registration is officially open, and we encourage you to secure your spot before the Early Bird deadline on Friday, May 23 to take advantage of discounted rates. Be sure to check out on our conference website special programming like K-12 Teachers Day and TYC Teachers Day on Monday, August 4, along with workshops, PERC, and more. Register today!
Book Your Hotel Room for Summer Meeting!
Make your plans to stay at one of our conference hotels in Washington, D.C. - the Grand Hyatt Washington or the Washington Marriott at Metro Center. Staying within the AAPT hotel block ensures easy access to the meeting venue and helps us avoid attrition fees. The Grand Hyatt is the official conference hotel and the location of most meeting activities. The Marriott, just a short walk away, serves as our overflow property. Both hotels have a booking deadline of July 1, 2025, and rooms are limited - secure your group rate today! Book your hotel room!
Schedule at a Glance:
We're excited to share the 2025 Summer Meeting schedule! Stay tuned for more updates as we finalize the details.
Paul W. Zitzewitz Excellence in K-12 Teaching Award
AAPT has announce that the 2025 Paul Zitzewitz Excellence in K-12 Physics Teaching Award winner is Bree Barnett Dreyfuss, Science teacher at Amador Valley High School, Pleasanton, CA.
This award is in recognition of her exceptional work in diversifying physics and making classrooms more inclusive and accessible to all students, her empowerment of girls and underrepresented groups to pursue careers in physics, her enrichment of the AAPT community with her expertise and passion for inclusive teaching, and her significant contributions to the STEP UP Physics project.
Read more
Nadya Mason Recognized as 2025 Recipient of the Richtmyer Memorial Lecture Award
The American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) today announced today that physicist Nadya Mason has been selected to receive the 2025 Richtmyer Memorial Lecture Award. Dr. Mason, who currently serves as Dean of the UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, is being recognized with the award for outstanding contributions to physics and for effectively communicating those contributions to physics educators. The award will be presented at a Ceremonial Session of the AAPT 2025 Summer Meeting.
Dr. Mason is recognized "For her outstanding communication to physics educators and wide-ranging impact on students and faculty across the country, particularly those from underrepresented groups in physics, and for her pivotal work in launching the APS National Mentoring Community, and for her work with the National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee."
Read more
Manjula Sharma Recognized as Summer 2025 AAPT Fellow
The 2025 AAPT Fellows Awardee, Manjula Sharma, has been announced. AAPT Fellows are distinguished physicists, educators, administrators, and communicators who have been recognized for their contributions to the physics education community.
Sharma, an international leader in physics education research, is Professor of Science Education at The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. Her work has enriched the AAPT community via her (and her students') many invited and contributed presentations at AAPT meetings for two and a half decades. She has more than 150 publications on improving the teaching and learning of physics, and has served as an excellent role model and mentor for students, including women of color. Professor Sharma is hereby recognized as an AAPT Fellow for her seminal contributions to the teaching and learning of physics in many different strands."
Sean M. Carroll Named as Recipient of the 2025 Klopsteg Memorial Lecture Award
The American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) announced today that Sean Carroll, physicist, teacher, and writer, is the 2025 recipient of the Klopsteg Memorial Lecture Award. The lecture and award will be presented during the AAPT Summer Meeting. This award recognizes educators who have made notable and creative contributions to the teaching of physics. Read more
Nominate Yourself to Become a Member of an Area Committee!
The National Nominating Committee is seeking nominations for all Area Committee. As an Area Committee member you will play a crucial role in helping your Area Committee actively work on their respective missions. All AAPT members are eligible to serve on an Area Committee. Go directly to the Nomination Form or email nominations@aapt.org.
We want your input for enhancing collaborations
The leadership of the American Physical Society (APS) and the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) recently formed a Task Force to explore ways that AAPT and APS can enhance collaborations, building on the success of Physics Teacher Education Collation, STEP UP, and other projects. The Task Force is seeking ways to enhance the collaborations in support of the joint educational missions of both professional societies. We ask for your input about improving existing collaborations, beginning new ones, and removing barriers to effective cooperation. Please complete this short survey.
Seeking members for the Annual Meeting Program (AMP) subcommittees for the 2026 and 2027 National Meetings
The AAPT Meeting Planning Committee (MPC) is seeking members interested in being part of the Annual Meeting Program (AMP) subcommittees for the 2026 and 2027 meetings. The 2026 meetings are: WM26 - January 17 - 20, Las Vegas, Nevada & SM26 - July 18 - 22, Pasadena, California. The 2027 meetings are: WM27 - January 9 - 12, New Orleans, Louisiana & SM27 - July 31 - August 4, Washington, DC. AMP committee members are tasked to engage in the organization and planning of national meetings as representatives of the AAPT general membership to ensure that the best interests of all stakeholders in AAPT are considered in content, structure, and accessibility for national meetings. If you are interested in being considered for either of these committees, please reach out to the Chair of AAPT's MPC Brad Conrad at brad.r.conrad@gmail.com.
AAPT 2025 PAEMST Awardees
Five AAPT members have been honored as the 2025 recipients of the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).
Awardees come from schools in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDES) schools, and schools in the United States territories of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and thee United State Virgin Islands. Nominations and awards are facilitated by the White House office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the National Science Foundation.
The AAPT award winners are:
Click here to read more.
Nominate Yourself or a Colleague for the Doc Brown Futures Award
Are you a physics teacher early in your career and love being in the classroom with your students? Do you want to enhance those experiences by drawing closer to your AAPT colleagues and be recognized for your passion? Or, do you know an early career AAPT member who fits this description? If so, I would love to have these accomplishments recognized by having you or your colleague receive the Doc Brown Futures Award! What does the awardee receive? A monetary prize of $1,000, a commemorative plaque, and a complimentary registration at an AAPT Summer Meeting to receive the award. Additionally, they receive two nights lodging at the conference hotel and a reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses. The awardee can enjoy time with a mentor who is a current AAPT leader and will learn how they may enhance physics education including a possible role in AAPT leadership circles. Read more
Anonymous Reporting Tool!
AAPT has implemented an ethics and compliance hotline called "Red Flag Reporting." Red Flag Reporting is an independent company that is dedicated to protecting organizations plus their employees, assets, reputations, and in the case of AAPT, our members. This service allows people to report any concerns regarding activities at AAPT events in violation of our code of conduct. To file a report, provide client code AAPTEvent and simply do one of the following:
• Visit www.RedFlagReporting.com and click on "File a Report"
• Call 1-877-647-3335
• Text RFR to 234-231-9005
• You may also use the following (be sure to be detail oriented, provide our client code, and indicate if you wish to be anonymous or not): Fax to 330-572-8146, Email to redflag@redflagreporting.com, Mail to RFR, P.O. Box 4230, Akron, Ohio 44321
We would like everyone to take the time to watch the appropriate video(s) here: Event Attendee Training Videos.
For more information, see this information posted in COMMUNITIES. If you have questions about AAPT's policies regarding these types of matters, we encourage you to review the information contained in our Code of Conduct.
Support AAPT and Join the 1930 Society!
Your support goes above and beyond member dues, and we are so grateful to members like you who are investing in the future of physics education. That's why we decided to launch the 1930 Society. This special group of supporters, named after our founding year, honors contributions of $500 or more every year to our association so we can better serve physics educators and the physics education community.
Would you like to get involved with the 1930 Society? Donate today!
Call to Area Committees and List Serves - AAPT COMMUNITIES
If you chair an Area Committee and are interested in creating a group on COMMUNITIES, please get in touch with us. This may be the best way to create a "friends of the committee" group going forward. Using this method, the Chair could set the default delivery option for the group to Real-Time, which would most accurately mirror the current list serve model. These groups would be open for any AAPT member to join. We would like to start with a handful of these groups as a pilot program to see how it works. If you are interested, please reach out to Mike Hall (mhall@aapt.org).
For those who do not choose to create a dedicated group on COMMUNITIES, you can still use the platform to let AAPT members know about your activities by posting in the General Community. We encourage all AAPT members to visit the AAPT COMMUNITIES platform and follow the Tag for any committee that you are interested in. Likewise, we encourage Committee Chairs to use this tag when posting information relevant to your committee.
Join Us for AAPT Virtual Coffee Hours
AAPT Virtual Coffee Hours provide opportunities for our members to share experiences and knowledge with one another to provide the best physics education possible to their students. These events are usually topical and include a short presentation, but we also encourage group discussion and participation in an informal setting. Virtual Coffee Hours are a benefit of your AAPT membership. We hope that you join us!
Check here for the next Virtual Coffee Hour. Check your inbox for an invitation. Please make sure you RSVP to the event. Everyone who RSVPs will receive a Zoom login a few hours before the call. We hope you can join us!
Help Support AAPT!
We are living in incredibly challenging times. AAPT has been on the forefront providing resources to help physics educators. However, we need your support to continue AAPT's programs and resources. Gifts to the AAPT Annual Fund support the everyday operations of AAPT, from inspiring excellence through educational programming to recognizing award winning physics professionals, all critical pieces in supporting the advancement of physics education. Many of these programs run year round that need your support--donate today to the Annual Fund to make a difference!
Find a New Job This Year
The AAPT Career Center is here to help make your job hunting easier! With our powerful search tools, you'll be able to narrow things down by education level, sector, and experience, to find exactly what you're looking for. We work directly with academic institutions searching for the finest talent to fill the latest teaching posts, including positions like lecturer, instructor, and full professor. Browse our full list of jobs today.
CRC Handbook Needs Physics Teachers!
The CRC Handbook is looking for a physics teacher (high school or undergraduate) to help review physics topics in the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. If interested, please contact Dr. John Rumble - Editor-in-Chief at john.rumble@crchbcp.com.
Organization for Physics at Two-Year Colleges
OPTYCs (The Organization for Physics at Two-Year Colleges) is busy planning for future events and programs. To get the latest news, please check our website: https://optycs.aapt.org. Our events are free of charge, and open to everyone! We hope to see you soon!
Calling TYC members!
The Organization for Physics at Two-Year Colleges (OPTYCs) is currently accepting applications for our Mentoring, Networking, and Affinity Groups: Looking for a mentor? Wanting to share your experiences? Searching for a group of folks working on the same topic as you? Sign up and we’ll match you with other like-minded TYC faculty.
SAVE THE DATE!
Join us for free virtual professional development opportunities! Open to everyone!
Planning a Section Meeting? OPTYCs is offering to co-sponsor by helping to coordinate a workshop, funding TYC participants, or supporting your Section in other ways! Just reach out to us at OPTYCs@aapt.org.
AAPT Programs
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!
2025 AAPT PhysicsBowl Contest
Registration for the 2025 PhysicsBowl contest is now closed. Updates will be posted on the PhysicsBowl webpage.
2025 AAPT High School Physics Photo Contest
Registration for the 2025 High School Physics Photo Contest is open March 1 - May 15, 2025. Registration information is posted on the Learn more.
2025 F=ma Contest
F=ma and USAPhO exam updates will be posted on the U.S. Physics Team homepage.
NASA HEAT Space Physics Ambassador Applications Open
Apply for a funded travel opportunity as an AAPT NASA HEAT Space Physics Ambassador. Space Physics Ambassadors are secondary and college/university educators at U.S.-based institutions who participate in a 3-day, face-to-face workshop experience with the NASA HEAT AAPT team, and who then commit to sharing these workshop resources with their other educators across the U.S. Location: Boulder, CO. Dates: July 14-17. Benefits include hotel accommodations, a stipend for self-arranged travel and meals ($1,300), a stipend for participation at the summit ($500), and a stipend for completion of an outreach plan ($1,000). Apply here. Applications will begin to be reviewed as of May 1 and will remain open so long as spots remain.
NEXUS/Physics
NEXUS/Physics is a research-based Introductory Physics for Life Sciences (IPLS) class designed to
The NEXUS/Physics problem collection is also available in an online, partially autograded commercial product, ExpertTA.
If you teach an IPLS course, consider our new online, interactive textbooks: Living Physics 1 and Living Physics 2 . These books consist of NEXUS/Physics material revised into a highly readable, coherent commercial text with integrated auto-graded questions, PhET simulations, and lots of authentic biological examples. Available from Top Hat. Royalties from both commercial products go to AAPT to support the Living Physics Portal.
AAPM 67th Annual Meeting & Exhibition
The AAPM Annual Meeting is a significant gathering for professionals in the field of medical physics, offering a platform to discuss cutting-edge advancements, share insights, and foster meaningful collaborations.
Event Details:
Event Name: AAPM 67th Annual Meeting & Exhibition
Dates: July 27- 30, 2025
Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington D.C.
APS offers membership fee waivers to scientists facing financial hardship
With cuts to federal science agencies facing cuts, APS is utilizing its resources to help physicists with costs.
For application information and more details go to Read more
Registration for the APS Thriving Departments Symposium by May 1!
Join physics department change leaders at the APS Thriving Departments Symposium at the University of Chicago from June 11-13, 2025. This 2.5-day event will bring together department chairs and members of the broader physics education community for an impactful gathering focused on community building, knowledge sharing, and actionable insights to tackle shared challenges. Email thrive@aps.org for more information.
Register now for the Faculty Teaching Institute | June 25-28
Tell your early-career physics and astronomy faculty and instructors to register now for the next AAPT/APS/AAS Physics and Astronomy Faculty Teaching Institute (FTI)! This four-day immersive workshop in College Park, Maryland will help faculty build the type of teaching practice they want. Registration is available now through the FTI website and closes on May 16.
Register now for the PhysTEC workshop at AAPT SM25 | August 2-3
Attend the PhysTEC workshop in Washington, D.C, to learn about effective teacher education practices and how to adapt them to your institution's needs. Event registration is now open. Learn more and find coupon codes on the PhysTEC website.
Check out resources to support your department's resilience
The Effective Practices for Physics Programs (EP3) Guide provides comprehensive guidance for how departments can respond to and/or become more resilient against threats. The The Toolkit for Departments Under Threat includes short- and long-term actions to increase the number of majors and course enrollments, support your institution's mission, and improve your research profile.
2025 PICUP Summer Leadership Institute for Computational Education in Physics
It's PICUP time! The Partnership for Integration of Computation into Undergraduate Physics (PICUP) is back with a 5-day immersive event to be held June 23- 27, 2025, at the beautiful conference facilities on the campus of the University of Wisconsin at River Falls. This is the first of a series of annual events, the Summer Leadership Institute for Computational Education in Physics (SLICE), that we will convene over the next few years, and we need your participation. This will be an engaging workshop designed specifically for physics faculty eager to explore the integration of computation into their courses and curricula, providing a platform to share experiences and discuss innovative strategies with colleagues. Don't miss this chance to enhance your teaching and collaborate with like-minded educators! There is an application procedure as space is limited. So, what are you waiting for? Get your application in now!
For application information and more details go to https://www.compadre.org/PICUP/events/SLICE2025/
2025 Los Angeles Area and the 2025 Atlanta Area PICUP Workshops: Integrating Computation into High School and Undergraduate Physics
All you who dwell in the Los Angeles and Atlanta areas (and beyond, depending on your willingness to drive a little for a big gain!) are invited to participate in the inaugural LA Area and Atlanta Area PICUP Workshops. The Atlanta workshop will be held at Spelman College on Friday, May 16 from 9 AM to 4 PM. The LA workshop will take place at Riverside City College in Riverside, CA on Saturday, May 17 from 8:30am to 4:30pm. These workshops are intended for those who desire to energize their physics courses at all levels, and the scope is appropriate for physics teachers from high schools, 2-year colleges, and 4-year colleges and universities. Workshop details and registration information can be found here: https://www.compadre.org/PICUP/events/LA2025/ and here: https://www.compadre.org/PICUP/events/AtlantaDICE2025/
Please note that these workshops are intended to be the first in a series of annually occurring PICUP workshops in both of these regions, and we urge you to be involved. We are looking to develop a working, supportive community of like-minded instructors who teach computation in their physics classes, and to grow these efforts into thriving, self-sustaining communities that support computation in physics into the future and beyond. Please spread the word to other faculty you may know that could benefit from this experience, and do your best to join us on May 16 in Atlanta, or May 17 in LA.
"Physics in an Astronomy Context" Mini Workshop Series
The AAPT team of the NASA Heliophysics Education Activation Team (HEAT) will be offering a series of short 1.5-hour workshops one Saturday each month from February to June 2025. These workshops are directed to all physics teachers (middle school, high school, two-year college, and university), and will focus on lesson ideas and digital resource packages (AAPT Digi Kits) that help teach physics topics in an astronomy context. Register for one or more sessions, and learn more HERE.
Watch the Newly Available Video, "Professional Societies and You"
It's easy to get so caught up in day-to-day professional responsibilities that you end up working in a bubble. Yet if your goal is to expand your career opportunities, engaging in the larger physical sciences community is an important step. For students and early-career scientists especially, joining a professional society can help build interpersonal networks and open up avenues for career advancement. Watch the video to learn more!
Opportunity: Help Identify High-Quality Instructional Materials with EdReports
EdReports is a non-profit organization with a mission to empower educators with independent, credible, evidence-rich information about instructional materials to ensure students have what they need to be college and career-ready. They are now accepting applications for reviewers for reviews of K-12 science instructional materials. Apply now to engage in deep professional learning on the Next Generation Science Standards with a national network of skilled educators. Learn more about EdReports here and apply to become a reviewer here.
Presented by AAPT/PTRA and Coming to a Campus near you
Local PTRAs, you have an opportunity to provide a two-day professional development for teachers of Physics and Physical Science in your area. Stay tuned for more information on how K12 Teachers can attend a 2-day workshop with a stipend and equipment help. Section Representatives, if you want to provide something for local teachers, contact PTRA.
AAPT Membership
AAPT Member Spotlight
William A. (TOBY) Dittrich
Retired Professor of Physics
Portland Community College, Sylvania Campus
Portland, Oregon
Read More.
Free Engineering Tomorrow Equipment for AAPT Teachers
James Lincoln, who leads the Southern California AAPT New Physics Teacher Workshops, has received approval to share the free equipment program nationwide. Teachers of SCAAPT have found the free equipment to be "very helpful and of high quality." Click here for more information.
AAPT Member Writes New AP Physics Lab Manual
The recent redesign of AP Physics, especially AP Physics 1, has motivated several recent articles and outreach efforts. However, the addition of Fluid Physics to this curriculum has motivated AAPT Member James Lincoln to write a new lab manual that includes these topics.
The lab manual contains 65 one-day labs for AP Physics 1 and AP Physics C: Mechanics, including the new unit on Fluids. Interested teachers can find purchase options on www.SCAPTI.org
AAPT On Demand Store
We are delighted to announce the launch of our new AAPT On Demand swag store! You'll find shirts, hoodies, mugs, and more in a variety of styles and colors to choose from. Visit https://ow.ly/gEH250OYnzo to view our product selections and order your swag today!
Delivery Options for Print Journals
Many of you receive the print editions of our journals at your workplace, which you may not have access to currently. We wanted to provide you with instructions on how to update your preferred mailing address in your member profile.
- 1. Log in to www.aapt.org and sign in.
- 2. Click on MY ACCOUNT.
- 3. Click the EDIT button (pencil) under ADDRESSES.
- 4. Address preferences should be listed on the right side.
As always, if you need assistance or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us (membership@aapt.org, 301.209.3333).
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 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! Be sure to check the Member Discounts Program page for details.
Member savings with Avis and Budget
AAPT Members can save up to 35% off Avis PAY NOW rates when making a reservation with Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD) http://bit.ly/aapt_avis.
More Ways to Save:
Skip the counter and paperwork at many locations, go straight to your car for faster pick-up, and drop off, when you sign up and use your complimentary membership in the Avis Preferred® or Budget's Fastbreak Rewards Program. In addition, members earn points towards free rentals, accessories and upgrades.
To make a reservation with Avis, visit: www.avis.com/en/association/A672057 and use your Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD) number A672057.
To book with Budget, visit: www.budget.com/en/association/B079565 and use your Budget Customer Discount (BCD) number B079565.
Sign up for Text Alerts:
Don't miss out on special offers! Get exclusive offers sent directly to your phone by texting AAPTABG to 833-344-0228.
What Do You Want Your Legacy to Be?
Teachers make a difference. Given the chance, most of us would like to leave a legacy to organizations we valued in our lifetime. You help shape the future. AAPT can help you determine what you want your legacy to be-to your family, to your fellow teachers, and to tomorrow's future teachers. Planned Giving creates opportunities for you to make a lasting difference to physics education and AAPT. Consider including AAPT in your estate and financial plans. Click here for more information or contact eo@aapt.org.
AAPT Member Benefit: Up to 25 Free Downloads of AIP Journals Every Year
AAPT has partnered with AIP Publishing on a valuable benefit. AAPT members receive 25 free article downloads per year from any AIP Publishing journal.
This is an exclusive AAPT member benefit. Access any one of the journals in this list of journals now by clicking the 'SIGN IN' link in the right hand corner, and logging in with your AIP Publishing username and password. Click either the "PDF" or "FULL TEXT" menu buttons to download the entire article. You will then be given an option to use one of your AAPT member credits to access the article.
Articles you download will be saved in your profile. AAPT members receive 25 free downloads each year as long as their membership remains in good standing. Members also enjoy 25% off all AIPP/AAPT co-published digital books.
New members receive an email from AIP Publishing with registration information for an AIP Publishing account. If you do not currently have access to AIPP benefits including online access to AJP and TPT, please contact the help desk at help@aip.org.
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. Deadlines for nominations are June 1st and December 1st.
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.
OSTP/NSF Working Group on Quantum Information Education
The OSTP/NSF working group on Quantum Information Education finished its report and there was a NSF press release. Read More. Also click here for full report.
James Lincoln Addresses Fluid Physics for AP Physics 1
AP Physics 1 has gone through some major changes this year. The largest of which is to add a unit on Fluid Physics which will be new for a majority of AP Physics teachers this year. To address this change, James Lincoln has produced a video series on Fluid Physics for AP Physics 1. Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYPzrDsUD48
K12 Corner
Quantum Teachers' Day at the DAMOP conference
This free, hands-on event is part of the 56th Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics, uniting scientists who focus on fundamental research on atoms, simple molecules, electrons and light, and their interactions. Teachers' Day offers a chance to explore introductory, age-appropriate, engaging, quantum science-themed activities designed for middle and high school classrooms - no prior experience with quantum physics needed! Register now!
STEP UP Community
STEP UP is a national community of physics teachers, researchers, and professional societies. We design high school physics lessons to empower teachers, create cultural change, and inspire young women to pursue physics in college. Attend our upcoming virtual gathering to learn more and connect with the STEP UP community. Register now!
Let U.S. K-12 Educators Know: Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Application is Live!
The Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program is a yearlong professional learning opportunity and short-term exchange for elementary, middle, and high school educators from the United States to develop skills to prepare students for a competitive global economy. Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms equips educators to bring an international perspective to their schools through targeted training, experience abroad, and global collaboration.
Barbara Wolff-Reichert Travel Grants
This endowment fund was established in 2023, by Jonathan F. Reichert to honor Barbara Wolff-Reichert and to encourage both new and experienced high school teachers, who have never done so, to attend and participate in national meetings of the American Association of Physics Teachers. Read more
Journal of High School Discovery
The Journal of High School Discovery is a new outlet for young researchers to share their work. We are the only journal created and run by high school students to publish the work of other high school students. This is a project we started out of a strong passion for science and a desire to show the world the passion of other like minded students.
We are looking for physics teachers to help curate our articles. As a curator, you would assist us by reviewing submissions for accuracy and scientific value, shaping the future of the journal. In addition, we ask for your help in connecting us with passionate students who may be interested in publishing their work.
We ask that interested teachers and students check us out at hsdjournal.com or contact us at
editor@hsdjournal.com.
Enhance High School Physics Education with the AIP Meggers Project Award
The William F. and Edith R. Meggers Project Award provides up to $25,000 in funding for projects that improve high school physics education in the U.S. This biennial award supports innovative initiatives designed to increase student interest in physics and enhance the quality of instruction. Educators, groups, and individuals are encouraged to apply, especially those incorporating collaboration with students, undergraduate mentors, or school programs. Proposals are due soon! Learn more and apply today.
In the News
Free OpenStax Astronomy Textbook Saves $92 Million
The non-profit OpenStax project at Rice University is happy to announce that the free, open-source book Astronomy, by A. Fraknoi, S. Wolff, and D. Morrison, is now the most-adopted, introductory astronomy textbook in North America, having been used by more than 1.3 million students at 2,100 universities, colleges, and schools. OpenStax estimates that the book has saved astronomy students about $92 million in textbook costs already. Anyone can see the book at http://bit.ly/astronomytextbook.
The book, which can be read on line, or downloaded via the free OpenStax app, has also been used by more than 100,000 independent readers. It is part of a project (supported by several major charitable foundations) to lower the cost of college by developing free, high-quality textbooks for every introductory class students take.
Instructors can register to adopt the book at the above website as well. Confirmed registrants will have access to the answers to the end-of-chapter questions, and other instructional materials keyed to the book. There is also a free repository (hub) of slides, videos, teaching guides, and other resources, produced by the authors and a group of enthusiastic adopters, at the OER Commons. See: oercommons.org/groups/openstax
Medical physics website available as resource for physics educators
The American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), an affiliated organization with AAPT, just completed a large-scale effort to launch a public education website. Medical physics is a field that uses concepts in physics to address questions in medicine. Medical physicists work in research, education, and clinical capacities in medical imaging, radiation therapy, and health physics. Physics students who want to learn how an MRI scanner works, read about how radiation affects cells, or just want to learn about a career in applied physics will enjoy this website, which includes an active "Ask the Expert" platform. https://www.medicalradiationinfo.org/.
ALPhA's 2025 Laboratory Immersions
The Advanced Laboratory Physics Association (ALPhA) is again offering a variety of Laboratory Immersions in the summer of 2025. These highly successful 2-3 day workshops give participants an in-depth, hands-on experience learning a single instructional laboratory experiment. Participants are then eligible to apply for grants from the Jonathan F. Reichert Foundation to help defray the costs of implementing the experiment at their own institution. More information can be found at: https://advlab.org/Immersions2025
Support Your Students' Next Steps in Physics & Astronomy - #SPSCon 2025 Awaits!
Physics and astronomy educators have a unique opportunity to support their students by encouraging them to attend the 2025 Physics and Astronomy Congress, a transformative event designed for undergraduate students exploring their future in the physical sciences. With the theme "Supporting Our Phase Shifts," the Congress will help students navigate the transitions from undergraduate studies to graduate school, industry, national labs, and beyond. Educators can play a key role by sharing this opportunity with students and helping them connect with a vibrant scientific community. In addition, educators attending the event can participate in the Career & Grad Fair, hosted by SPS, AIP, and APS, to gain insights into emerging career paths for students. They can also sign up for Lunch with Scientists, a chance to engage directly with students and share their own professional experiences— stay tuned for sign-up details, which will be available in the Congress registration portal when it opens. By encouraging students to attend #SPSCon 2025, educators can help them embrace their phase shifts and take the next step in their physics and astronomy journeys.
Find Resources for Teaching Physics for Life Sciences Students on the Living Physics Portal
The Living Physics Portal is an online environment for physics educators to find, share, and discuss free teaching materials for 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. The Portal is available for free to all verified educators.
Features available on the Portal are:
• Anyone can view and download over 200 resources in our Vetted Library.
• Registered users can also view and download over 100 resources in our Community Library, along with answer keys and other instructor supplements, and join discussions about resources.
• Registered users can contribute curricular resources and instructor resources to our Community Library and Vetted Library, including adaptations of others' resources, and join our discussions. We accept all kinds of resources at all grain sizes, from a single activity to materials for a whole course. We encourage you to start by submitting a small activity to our Community Library. Once you get the hang of that, we invite you to contribute your polished materials to our Vetted Library to be reviewed by our editors.
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.
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://careers.aapt.org/employers/ to get posting!
Jobs Announcements from the Career Center
Lecturer of Physics
University of North Carolina Asheville
Click here for job description.
Visiting Assistant Professor
University of St. Thomas
Click here for job description.
Two Faculty Positions in Physics
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Click here for job description.
Assistant Teaching Professor-Lab Coordinator
Florida International University
Click here for job description.
Assistant Professor, Theoretical Quantum Computation
University of Central Florida
Click here for job description.
More Physics Resources
Social Media @ AAPT
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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.
Southern California Section AAPT - Spring Meeting - SAT May 17
On Saturday, May 17, at Pierce College, join the physics teachers and professors of Southern California as they hold their Spring meeting. Anyone can join SCAAPT by emailing SCAAPT@gmail.com. Everyone is invite you to contribute to the show! Submit an abstract or show & tell here: https://bit.ly/SCAAPTSpring2025Abstracts for full report.
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