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Dear AAPT Member, It's officially here—The World Year of Physics. We are celebrating the 100-year anniversary of Einstein's year of miracles. Now it's our chance to make some 'cosmic waves' that will shake up your students' interest in physics. Read more about ongoing scientific work based on Einstein's gravitational wave theories and classroom activities that you can use. Start planning now to get your students involved with one or more AAPT sponsored spring competitions. This newsletter will point you to a variety of resources from planning and running a science fair to building an award winning roller coaster. If you are looking for new demos or resources to augment next semester's teaching material, you will find AAPT to be a convenient and reliable resource. Request a free product catalog or order online. Start your own World Year of Physics celebration with a disheveled Einstein Action Figure complete with chalk in his hand. We are have discounted this unique conversation piece to an all time low price for our new members only. Hurry. This special ends February 28. Best wishes for a busy and productive school semester. Valerie Evans |
Michael Page
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National Meetings | ||
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New Executive Board members and committee chairs take office New Executive Board members and committee chairs met at the 2005 Winter Meeting held in Albuquerque, NM. They assume their responsibilities at the meeting close, Jan. 12. Prominent physicists honored In recognition of their exceptional contributions to physics teaching, four prominent physics educators are being recognized at the 2005 Winter Meeting with Distinguished Service Citation Awards. Distinguished Service Citation Award Winners
Patricia Allen, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC Our national meetings provide a unique opportunity to meet internationally renowned physicists and to enjoy first-hand their presentations. Carlos Bustamante, winner of AAPT's Richtmyer Award, will talk about his work measuring the torsional rigidity of DNA. Eugene Commins, winner of AAPT's Oersted Award, specialized in atomic molecular experiments and will talk about those who inspired him. Read more about these featured speakers as well as about our three Plenary speakers, Alan Friedman, Michel Janssen, and Virginia Trimble. 2005 AAPT Summer MeetingPlans for the 2005 Summer Meeting are already underway. The University of Utah located in Salt Lake City, UT, will host our meeting Aug. 6–10. Read more for additional information about the call for papers and abstracts. Former Physics Team members represent U.S. at international celebrationFour former members of the U.S. Physics Team travel to Paris, France this month to participate in the official launch of the International Year of Physics 2005, "Physics for Tomorrow" celebration. Nobel Laureates, thousands of scientists, and students representing more than 60 countries will participate. |
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Education/Development | ||
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Physics Bowl competition opens High School teachers, organize your physics teams and enter AAPT's annual Physics Bowl competition. All participating students receive a recognition certificate. Top scoring schools win prizes. Read more about contest rules and download your entry form. Physics Bowl exams available for practice Students can hone their test taking skills by tackling previous year's Physics Bowl exams. Find out who the competition is. Read who won last year. Nothing says spring like a science fair Organizing and running a science fair is a daunting task for the most experienced teacher. Get tips on how to do it right. Your school or regional science fair may qualify as an ISEF-affiliated Science Fair. The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF)—the world's largest pre-college science competition—provides an opportunity for the best young scientists from around the globe to share ideas, showcase cutting-edge science projects, and compete for over $3 million in awards and scholarships. Read more about ISEF requirements. Enter today to qualify as an AAPT Special Awards Judge at the 2005 ISEF. This year's competition will be held in Phoenix, AZ, May 8–14. Special Awards judges spend up to three days reviewing the high school physics projects and choosing the award winners. Judges must have a degree in physics or be a graduate physics student. No stipend is provided for this volunteer position. Contact Roxanne Muller, Executive Assistant, for more information. Rollercoaster Design Contest Six Flags America, located in Largo, MD, holds its annual Roller Coaster Building Contest April 29, 2005. This combination field trip/physics design contest captures the imagination and enthusiasm of students grade 5 through 12. Can't schedule a trip to Maryland? Use AAPT's judging rubric and design guidelines to develop your own roller coaster contest. |
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Electronic Resources |
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comPadre physics collections target specific audiences comPadre collections, built for and by communities, provide a place for guests and registered members to find and share resources that meet their specific needs. Each collection focuses on a specific group—student, astronomy, teaching undergrads, and teaching quantum physics. 276 back issues of the American Journal of Physics added to Online feature AAPT recently made an additional 23 years of AJP journals available for online access. Members who subscribe to the American Journal Physics (AJP) and AJP Online can now read and search full text articles back to 1975. Members receiving The Physics Teacher (TPT) and TPT Online can view and search full text articles back to 1998. Add an online subscription to your membership for only a few dollars: $12 for AJP Online; $9 for TPT; $16 for both. Only members with the print journal are eligible to subscribe to the corresponding online version. Log in using your last name and member ID number. (Forgot your ID number? Click here.) |
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Benefits/Services | ||
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Free Resources for members Members may request up to 15 copies each of Guidelines for High School Physics Programs, Guidelines for Two-Year College Physics Programs, and Planning for Graduate Studies. Buy physics products at a discount Take advantage of your member benefits when you purchase physics related books, videos, computer games, CD-ROMs, or gifts from the AAPT online store. Don't miss the special new member offer for an Einstein Action Figure. Free calendar or poster A calendar and a poster featuring the high school Physics Photo Contest winners were sent to all members in November. If you have just joined or did not receive one of these resources, please email the Membership department. See the winning 2004 photo contest winners and entry rules for 2005. |
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Networking Opportunities | ||
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Become a WYP Talent Search evaluator The WYP Talent Search, designed to immerse 10–19 year old students in physics activities, is modeled on a scouting-merit badge type program. Students at all levels of interest and aptitude are rewarded for participating. Evaluators are needed to pick the top 116 U.S. students to represent the United States. Sign yourself and your students up today. Talk it over with a colleague Add your input on a variety of physics education topics by joining one of our interest area list-servs. Users may visit the site and read comments before joining. Or go to our Physical Sciences Resource Center and post a question, comment on a recent event, or just say hello! Find a local AAPT meeting AAPT sections typically hold a spring meeting in April or May. Many meetings include workshops and guest speakers. Locate your local AAPT section. |
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