eNNOUNCER September 2019
Privacy Statement
AAPT News
2019 AAPT Board of Directors Election
The election of officers for the AAPT Board of Directors will begin on September 16. Please note that we have shortened the voting period from 2 months to 1 month. Voting will conclude on October 18. Members will receive instructions through email or, if no email is on file, through the mail to help you vote electronically. After submitting your vote, you should see a screen that reads "Your vote has been recorded." You will not receive an email confirming your vote. Be sure your email address and membership are current so you can participate. We hope that you will take part in the selection of the volunteer leadership of AAPT! Learn more about the candidates.
Be a Part of the AAPT Delegation to Egypt!
World Learning, a US-based nonprofit organization, and AAPT are leading a Physics Education delegation to Egypt during summer 2020! AAPT is looking to assemble a diverse delegation of K-12 and College educators to engage in exciting discussions on global STEM education. Apply at www.worldlearning.org/what-we-do. Click on the AAPT logo near the bottom of the page for more information. AAPT has applied for NSF funding to support delegation member costs. Interested? Have questions? Email Mel Sabella and Beth Cunningham
Interview AAPT President Mel Sabella did with Scientia Global
Check out the interview AAPT President Mel Sabella did with Scientia Global. In the interview, we discuss the history of AAPT, the affordances of diverse membership, and AAPT's role in supporting inclusive. active learning classrooms.
Seeking Applications for Editor of the American Journal of Physics
The American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) will be seeking applications for the position of Editor of the American Journal of Physics (AJP),
the world's preeminent journal in physics education focusing on the undergraduate and graduate levels. Candidates should have the following demonstrated experience and skills:
- ● Strong interests and accomplishments in physics teaching
- ● Significant acquaintance with AJP
- ● Reasonable familiarity with the various sub-fields of physics
- ● History of publications in professional physics journals
- ● Excellent organizational and administrative skills
- ● An ability to meet deadlines and to make difficult decisions fairly and rapidly
- ● Computer skills, including a working knowledge of LaTeX
- ● Experience reviewing journal articles, particularly for AJP, and serving on a journal editorial board is preferred
Timeline: The Search Committee will begin reviewing applications beginning February 1, 2020 and will continue until the position is filled. The official start date will be September 1, 2020, but the new editor will ideally begin transitioning into the post no later than June 2020.
Please look for a more detailed ad in the near future. If you have specific individuals that you think would make an excellent editor, please send information about these individuals to ajpsearch2020@aapt.org
Donate : 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
2020 AAPT Winter Meeting - Orlando
Join your colleagues at the 2020 AAPT Winter Meeting in Orlando, Florida. Surround yourself with Physics Educators from around the globe and develop and strengthen professional connections. Hear from internationally known plenary speakers, such as Nadya Mason and Jim Gates to name a few. Attend sessions, workshops and special activities designed with you mind. Don't miss this opportunity to share your expertise and learn from and network with leaders in the field.
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.
Hotel at the 2020 Winter Meeting
The 2020 AAPT Winter Meeting will take place at the Caribe Royale Orlando. The last day to book your room is December 18, 2019. We suggest that you book your room early, since the hotel can sell out before the cut-off date. Please click here for more information.
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.
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
7th International Conference on Women in Physics
The application process will open soon for the U.S. Delegation team to the 7th International Conference on Women in Physics. The 7th IUPAP Conference on Women in Physics will be held July 13 - 17, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. The US will be sending a small delegation to the conference. Applications are due by October 18, 2019. To apply to be part of the US delegation, go to the U.S. Delegation website.
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
2019 AAPT PhysicsBowl Contest Results!
Results for the 2019 AAPT PhysicsBowl Contest have been posted. Check Results Here!.
2019 High School Physics Photo Contest
One of the fun opportunities during the AAPT Summer Meeting is reviewing and voting on the top 100 photos as selected by the Committee on Physics in High Schools under the direction of Tommi Holsenbeck. The votes have been tallied and the winning entries are posted. View Here Congratulations to the winning students and their teachers.
Physics and Astronomy New Faculty Workshop Fall 2019
The next Physics and Astronomy New Faculty Workshop will be held November 14-17, 2019 in College Park, MD. This NSF-funded project now reaches about 50% of the new tenure-track hires in physics and astronomy in the U.S. Department chairs are invited to nominate their new tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty members and lecturers at www.aapt.org/Conferences/newfaculty Workshop space is limited. Preference will be given to nominations received before October 4. More information about the workshops is available at www.aapt.org
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.
Report on Undergraduate Physics Programs at Hispanic-Serving Institutions is now available online
In January 2018, the National Society of Hispanic Physicists and the American Association of Physics Teachers held a Conference on Enhancing Undergraduate Physics Programs at Hispanic Serving Institutions (EUPP-HSI). The Conference website is now archived on ComPADRE. The Conference Report compiles the results of a pre-conference survey, summarizes our discussions, and extracts recommendations from the discussions. The Conference report is freely available from AAPT
AAPT Membership
AAPT Member Spotlight
Brad Allen
Brighton High School
Rochester, NY
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.
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
2020 PER Conference Blog - Call for Entries
The 2020 PERC Organizing Committee is working hard to prepare our community for the conference next year. The theme of the 2020 PERC is about the history, current, and future of physics education research. In other words, as the PER community continues to move forward, we need to take a pause and ask ourselves some critically important and yet easily forgotten questions, such as who we really are, what we really do, and why we do what we do. These questions are closely tied to the ultimate identities of ourselves. That's why we created this blog as an opportunity for us to share with each other the key features about ourselves (be they professional or personal) that we haven't yet got a chance to show through our published research. (You'll need to create a ComPADRE account to see the blog if you don't already have one.) If you are interested in contributing to the blog, please send an email to perconference2020@gmail.com.
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.
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.
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.
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
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!
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.
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
Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program
Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship
Click here for job description.
Assistant Professor of Physics
Whitman 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 Spring 2019 Section News.
About eNNOUNCER
AAPT's eNNOUNCER is a service to members of the American Association of Physics Teachers and is produced by the AAPT Executive Office. Tell us what you think of this month's issue. Take this survey.
Other stories of significance appear in our Announcements Archive and our archive of Press Releases. E-mail suggestions, news items, comments, and unsubscribe requests to: aapt-news@aapt.org.
Deliverability of this publication depends on your e-mail address being current. If you have recently changed providers, jobs, or schools, please update your profile online at aapt.org as soon as possible. Adding AAPT-News@aapt.org to your address book will also help ensure that your copy is delivered to your mailbox.
Advertising and Archiving
See our Media Kit for advertising information or email dbott@aip.org. All eNNOUNCER issues are archived and information about AAPT publications is online.
Note on External Links
Links to non-AAPT sites are intended as a service to readers interested in AAPT, physics, and education. These links do not reflect an endorsement of any content or product. Also, due to the evolving nature of websites, some external links referenced in the eNNOUNCER may expire over time.
Thanks for your readership and your support of AAPT.
© 2019, American Association of Physics Teachers
Table of Contents
Featured Journal Articles
American Journal of Physics
Magnetic Aharonov-Bohm effects and the quantum phase shift: A heuristic interpretation
Read online
The Physics Teacher
Physics and Birdsong: "Listening" with Graphs
Read online
TPT and AJP Table of Contents Archive
Go to Archive
Are you receiving your journals online?
Subscribe to our free e-mail alerting service to receive table of contents alerts as new American Journal of Physics (AJP) and The Physics Teacher (TPT) issues are published.
Physics Store Features
Interactive Physics Demonstrations
$8.00 for members
$12.00 for non-members
Super Power T-shirt
$15.00 for members
$22.00 for non-members
 |