eNNOUNCER June 2015
AAPT News
U.S. Physics Team Selected To Participate in the 2015 International Physics Olympiad
Five students have been selected to represent the U.S. Physics Team as the 2015 Traveling Team at the 46th International Physics Olympiad, a competition among high-school physics students, to be held July 5 –12, 2015 in Mumbai, India.
L-R: Paul Stanley (Academic Coach), Saranesh Prembabu, Adam Busis, Jason Lu, Kevin Li, Zachary Bogorad, and David Fallest (Senior Coach).
Learn more!
2015 AAPT Summer Meeting - College Park, MD
The 2015 AAPT Summer Meeting is just under 8 weeks way! Over 700 participants have registered so far and we're expecting another 500. Join us, July 25-29 at the University of Maryland - College Park for our annual meeting or one of our specialized programs. Learn more about the unique programming being offered this year.
Visit the meeting website today to learn about the sessions, workshops, and more. Dorm reservations can now be made online!
Have small children? Learn more about the AAPT Child Care grants the deadline is June 25th, apply today!
This is your chance to learn from and network with hundreds of physics educators from around the globe. Register today to take advantage of the Early Bird Registration rate, you have until May 28th. Learn more & register today!
High School Physics Teacher Camp
AAPT is sponsoring a HS Physics Teacher Camp on Sunday, July 26th in College Park, MD, the site of the AAPT Summer Meeting. The Camp is a self-organizing opportunity for teachers of high school physics classes to discuss topics such as inquiry labs, standards-based grading, video analysis, and computer-based labs. The reqistrants will determine the topics. There will also be an expectation to share something about your teaching with the group. The cost for the day is about $20, but you must apply to be invited. More information »
AAPT's 2015 Ementoring Webinar Series
Upcoming Ementoring webinar:
June 8 - Bootstrap: Algebraic Videogame Programming for the Physics Classroom, with Emmanuel Schanzer, founder of Bootstrap
If you are interested in becoming an AAPT e-mentor or a mentee and participating in these webinars, please do not hesitate to contact Rebecca Vieyra at ementoring@aapt.org.
New to eMentoring - Instant Mentor
Are you an early-career high school physics teacher who sometimes wishes you had "immediate" feedback from an experienced mentor, but don't need a full mentorship pairing? If so, consider seeking help through the AAPT's free Program new "Instant Mentor" option, and a registered eMentor volunteer will get back to you within 24 hours or sooner. Submit your request for an instant Mentor at ementoring.aapt.org.
The Best of The Physics Teacher 2014-2015
The Physics Teacher takes a publication break during the summer but you can use this opportunity to catch up with your reading. We have made it easy to find the articles selected by your peers and the editor in The Best of The Physics Teacher, 2014-2015. Members have free access to all of the articles listed, so kick off your dress shoes and relax while you enjoy exploring!
Have your Students Applied for a Yamani Membership?
Each year, AAPT awards several two-year Hashim A. Yamani AAPT Memberships, which are regular electronic memberships and include electronic only access to copies of the American Journal of Physics, The Physics Teacher, and Physics Today. If your students are planning to become a teacher, or have just graduated and started teaching, tell them to apply for a Yamani Membership today!
AAPT Programs ...
PhysTEC Recognized MTSU Physics Department
In calling Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) "among the most successful PhysTEC sites," PhysTEC recognized MTSU's Physics Department, along with Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne, and Rochester Institute of Technology." As a partner in the PhysTEC coalition, AAPT is proud to recognize this award. The department has over the past half-decade successfully refocused its degree programs and course offerings to emphasize the possibilities inherent in a wide range of career choices beyond graduate programs in physics, including teaching careers, and teaches the skills necessary to attain them" Their program includes freshman career seminars, required capstone research experiences, and a senior-level career skills course.
Consider Submitting an Entry to the Apparatus Competition
The AAPT Apparatus Competition recognizes, rewards, and publicizes worthwhile contributions to physics teaching through lecture demonstrations, instructional laboratory equipment, and interactive exhibits. The Competition is held annually during AAPT's summer meeting and is open to all members with entries targeting all levels of physics education from K-12 to undergraduates to the general public. See the entry selection criteria. Entrants must notify the Apparatus Competition Director in June 2015 of their intention to enter the 2015 Apparatus Competition, including a statement about services required to display the apparatus. An official application packet with entry form, rules of eligibility and judging, safety guidelines, and competition requirements is available on the AAPT website.
The Frederick and Florence Bauder Endowment Grant
The Frederick and Florence Bauder Endowment provides grants to support special activities in the area of physics teaching. The deadline for applications to request funds is July 1, 2015. Learn more ».
AAPT-ALPhA Award is Now Open for Nominations
AAPT and ALPhA (Advanced Laboratory Physics Association) have announced the AAPT/ALPhA Award for undergraduate physics students who have executed, mastered, and left as a legacy for future students an advanced laboratory experiment. Do you have a student (or team of students) who might be interested in taking up the challenge to build an experiment new to their own department and possibly receive national recognition, attend a national AAPT meeting, present an invited talk, and receive a check for $4,000? The nomination process is now open. Applications need to be completed by September 1, 2015. If qualified candidates are proposed, we anticipate presenting the first award at the 2016 AAPT Winter Meeting in New Orleans. Read more or Apply. Funding for this award, for the first five years, is provided by TeachSpin, Inc.
Save the Date
Fall 2015 Physics and Astronomy New Faculty Workshop
The fall New Faculty Workshop will be held November 19-22 at the American Center for Physics in College Park, MD.
Fall 2015 Physics and Astronomy Experienced Faculty Workshop
The fall Experienced Faculty Workshop will be held October 9-11 at the American Center for Physics in College Park, MD.
2015 AAPT/APS Physics Department Chairs Conference June 5-7
Physics Department Chairs are invited to register online for the annual AAPT/APS Physics Department Chairs Conference to be held in College Park, MD.
The Inclusive Astronomy Conference
The Inclusive Astronomy conference will be held at Vanderbilt University from June 17-19, 2015. Registration is now open!
The content of the meeting is being organized under four broad topical areas: barriers to access; inclusion and access to power, policy, and leadership; creating inclusive climates; and establishing a community of inclusive practive. Each broad area will contain presentations, breakout sessions, and workshops. Contributed science posters and posters on inequity/inclusion are welcome. Travel grants and child care accommodations are available through the registration site.
In the News...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is announcing a new $60 million science education grants initiative that is challenging colleges and universities to increase their capacity to engage all students in science. The program is open to four-year colleges and universities that award baccalaureate degrees in STEM fields. HHMI plans to award approximately 60 grants in two open competitions, each of which will follow the same format. The first competition will result in approximately 30 awards that will begin in September 2017. The plan is for the second competition to be announced in 2016 with awards to begin in September 2018. All awards will be for five years and total $1 million.
MSU Physics Professor Chosen as Fullbright Scholar
Morehead State University’s Dr. Wilson J. Gonzelez-Espada, associate professor of physics and science education, has been selected as the recipient of a Fullbright grant. He has been an AAPT member since 1998. Dr. Gonzalez-Espada will travel to Uruguay to collaborate on two research projects with faculty members at Catholic University of Uruguay. They will study underclassmen’s perspectives on the role of science in society and will work to find ways to encourage more students to study physics. He will spend a semester in Latin America, and said he plans to present his research at meetings of the Kentucky Academy of Science and the Kentucky Association of Physics Teachers upon his return. Read more »
STEM Competition for Kids!
XPRIZE and Disney have teamed up to encourage kids ages 8-17 to develop their science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (S.T.E.A.M) skills in Disney's Create Tomorrowland — XPRIZE Challenge. We are asking kids to imagine themselves in the future and report back to the present through a video, image, or story about one new and amazing inventtion or innovation they encounter, how it works, and the impact it has on the world.
Registration is now open. Six winners will each receive an amazing prize package that includes a $3000 check, a 3D printer, and much more! Read more »
Physics Careers...
Summer Teaching Opportunities: JHU's Center for Talented Youth
The Johns Hopkins University's Center for Talented Youth (CTY) is seeking energetic instructors and teaching assistants to work in their summer programs.
Session 1, June25 - July 18
Session 2 July 18 - August 8
Dates may vary according to site. Read more »
I Am About To Graduate - What on Earth Do I Do Now?
Whether you started career planning and job searching a year ago, a month ago or today, there are a few things you can do to get the ball rolling to land a job you enjoy. Check out this webinar: online now.
Jobs Announcements from the Career Center
Faculty in Physics
Bard High School Early College
http://jobs.aapt.org/jobs/7154361
Physics Educational Technology Specialist
Vernier Software & Technology
http://jobs.aapt.org/jobs/7168506
More Physics Resources and ...
A Call for Judges - NAACP ACT-SO Competition
Judges are needed in the STEM category for the 2015 National ACT-SO Competition, July 9-12, 2015 in Philadelphia, PA.
ACT-SO is a yearlong youth achievement program designed to recruit, stimulate, improve and encourage high academic and artistic advancement among high school students of African descent. Every year, an excess of 11,000 students participate in local competitions across the nation. Gold medalists from the local competitions compete at the annual National ACT-SO Competition held in conjunction with the National NAACP Convention. Over the years, ACT-SO has gained significant prominence as alumni continue to achieve great levels of success.
Contact Karen Johnson, National Judges Coordinator at actso@naacpnet.org
Introductory AP Physics MOOC for sharing with Teachers: A Free Online eText, Labs and Problems for Calculus-based Mechanics at the AP level
Prof Dave Pritchard, the creator of MasteringPhysics.com, is running a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) at the AP Mechanics C level –register now. The first quiz is due June 18th, and rewards successful teachers with an edX certificate and eligibility to obtain 8 CEU credits from AAPT.
New 'Toolkit' Clarifies NSF OLPA Resources; helps agency tell NSF-funded stories better
A new interactive resource available through NSF’s website will help NSF-funded principal investigators and their institution public information officers understand better the process for creating communications tools, such as videos and feature stories, so that NSF more effectively communicates the science it funds. This user-friendly resource, which is essentially a decision tree that shows examples of all of NSF’s Office of Legislative and Public Affairs (OLPA) capabilities, is located with NSF's communications resources along with a text-only version.
Galileoscope Launches 2015 International Year of Light Programs
The Galileoscope program for the 2015 International Year of Light (IYL) is now in full swing, with new inventory available for delivery worldwide, and thousands of K-12 teachers and students in the United States poised to receive free telescope kits thanks to a generous donation to support science education. Created for the 2009 International Year of Astronomy (IYA), the Galileoscope solved a long-standing problem: the lack of a high-quality, low-cost telescope kit suitable for both optics education and celestial observation. Order your Galileoscope at www.galileoscope.org
Telling the Stories of Women and African Americans in the Physical Sciences
The American Institute of Physics, Center for History of Physics, is seeking six K-12 teachers for a four-day workshop, July 20-23, in College Park, MD. The Center is developing curriculum on the history of women and African Americans in the physical sciences, to highlight the diversity of achievement in science by individuals of many backgrounds. Teachers will interact with the team of researchers and suggest changes and additions that best meet classroom needs. Participants will receive a stipend of $100/day ($400), travel costs, and meal costs. AIP will provide hotel accommodations. Materials to be critiqued may be found at our website. Requirements for applicants »
APS Education Awards Nomination Open
Award for Improving Undergradute Physics Education
This award recognizes departments and programs that support best practices in education at the undergraduate level. Nominations are being accepted until July 15. Learn more »
APS Excellence in Physics Education Award
This award recognizes and honors a team or group of individuals, or execeptionally a single individual, who have exhibited a sustained commitment to excellence in physics education. Nominations are being accepted until July 1. Learn more »
Summer 2015 Modeling Workshops
50 Modeling Workshops in high school and middle school sciences will be offered this summer, in many states. Most workshops are two or three weeks long. CEUs; optional graduate credit, and stipends at grant funded sites are available. Modeling Instruction is research-informed.
Registration is open for all workshops and they are filling up fast. Please plan your summer professional development and think about taking a modeling workshop. Ask your school administration to help pay the cost.
Modeling™ Workshop website.
Workshop descriptions can be found here.
ASU Modeling Workshops in Physics and Chemistry
Four modeling workshops (June 8-26, June 15-26, July 6-24, 2015) for high school physics, chemistry, and physical science teachers nationwide are offered by Arizona State University in Tempe. The program can lead to a Master of Natural Science degree. Low-cost family housing. Pre-service and TYC teachers are welcome, too. Modeling Instruction is designated as an Exemplary STEM program by Change The Equation. The American Physical Society gave it the 2014 Excellence in Physics Education Award. More Information »
More from your Membership, Join your AAPT Community
Did you know that you can connect with your collegues by joining an AAPT Email Discussion List? There are more than 20 different lists/communities available. Find the list that matches your career interests at http://www.aapt.org/Resources/lists.cfm. Contact your Member Services Department at 301-209-3333, or by e-mail at membership@aapt.org if you need assistance, or have further questions.
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 - June 2015
- Chautauqua Short Course
Jun 18, 2015 - Jun 20, 2018
Active Learning in Introductory Physics Courses
& Research-Based Strategies that Improve Student Learning
Portland, OR
Email: Ronald Thornton
To list your section meeting in the AAPT Calendar of Events, e-mail the information to mgardner@aapt.org. See the December 2014 Section News.
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