eNNOUNCER November 2012

AAPT 2013 Winter Meeting

New Orleans – January 5-9
                      The AAPT Winter meeting offers an excellent opportunity for members, colleagues, and future physicists from around the world to participate in physics workshops, meet and greet other physics educators, form networks, engage exhibitors and learn about the latest physics resources.  The program will be available on-line by mid-November.
  Featured Plenary Speakers
  Monday, January 7 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
  Dr. Mark Whittle, Department of Astronomy, University of Virginia Wednesday, January 9 from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.
  Dr. Robert Twilley, Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences,  Louisiana State University
  AAPT Weekend Workshops
                      Come early and take one or more of the 27 physics workshops being offered.
  High School Physics Teachers Day
  Are you a high school physics teacher who would like to experience your first AAPT National Meeting?  Join us on Monday, January 7 for the special discounted registration fee of $75.
  Special Events
AAPT has planned a number of special events to help you experience the flavor of New Orleans.

                     
• French Quarter Walking Tour
                     
• Houmas House Plantation Tour
                     
• Spouse/Guest New Orleans Cooking Demonstration
                     
• New Orleans Jazz Night with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.
                   

Registration
                      Due to the current situation on the East Coast AAPT has decided to extend their early bird registration deadline until Friday, November 16.  Register now and save over $100.
  Abstracts
  Post-deadline abstracts are still being accepted until December 9.
  Save the Date:
  Summer Meeting 2013, July 13-17 (Portland, Oregon)
                      Winter Meeting 2014, Date TBD (Orlando, Florida)

The Physics Teaching Resource Agents (PTRA) Fund Supports Physics Teacher Professional Development

AAPT initiated the Physics Teaching Resource Agents (PTRA) Program in 1985—with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the American Physical Society (APS).  AAPT/PTRA has the mission of improving the teaching and learning of physics and physical science for all teachers and students in the US.  This program is the leading in-service physics professional development program. Your support of the AAPT/PTRA program will ensure that high quality professional development will persist for high school physics and physical science teachers across the US even though the NSF grant has ended.  All gifts to this fund will be used to train PTRAs to provide professional development to their peers. Make your gift online.

Call for Editor: The Physics Teacher

AAPT invites applications, inquires, and nominations for the position of Editor of The Physics Teacher (TPT), with an appointment to begin in the summer 2013. TPT is a prestigious journal/magazine dedicated to the advancement of physics teaching at the highschool and introductory college/university levels. The editor has full responsibility for the content of the journal. Read more.

2012 F=ma Contest Open

Each year, AAPT and the American Institute of Physics (AIP) sponsor a competition for high school students to represent the United States at the 2013 International Physics Olympiad. 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. Register online.

Barbara Lotze Scholarships for Future Teachers

AAPT offers scholarships for future high school physics teachers. These scholarships, supported by an endowment funded by Barbara Lotze, are available only to U.S. citizens attending U.S. schools. Undergraduate students enrolled, or planning to enroll, in physics teacher preparation curricula and high school seniors entering such programs are eligible. Successful applicants receive a stipend of up to $2,000. All applications with all materials, including letters of recommendation, received by December 1, will be considered for recommendation at the winter meeting of the AAPT Executive Board. Read more.

AAPT/PTRA Serve as a Core Partner in APEX

The National Science Foundation and The University of Alabama are partnering in an $8 million grant for the Alliance for Physics Excellence Program (APEX) to help better train high school physics teachers in the state of Alabama.  The APEX project is led by Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (AAMU) and includes as core partners the American Association of Physics Teachers/Physics Teaching Resource Agents, the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa (UA-T), Drake State Technical College,  and the Huntsville City School system. The partnership also includes supporting partners from the 11 Alabama Math Science and Technology Initiative (AMSTI) regional in-service centers, Madison County Schools, Scottsboro City Schools, Madison City Schools, and the Alabama State Department of Education. Read more.

New Faculty Alumni at WM13

Physics and Astronomy New Faculty Workshop Alumni gathering at the 2013 AAPT Winter Meeting: Monday, January 7, 12:30-1:30 (room TBD).  Please stop by and share your teaching experiences with Bob Hilborn, Beth Cunningham, and fellow New Faculty Alumni.

AAPT Undergraduate Physics Program Review Project

AAPT recognizes that undergraduate physics programs benefit from receiving feedback on the quality of the program.  In order to assist physics programs that are planning a review, AAPT maintains a list of reviewers whose name will be supplied to institutions submitting requests.  Requesting institutions are responsible for selecting, contacting, and contracting the reviewer.  Furthermore, reviewers represent themselves, not AAPT.  AAPT members can sign up to be an external reviewer for this program.  To be a reviewer, you must meet a number of qualifications - see the qualifications. If you fulfill the qualifications and are interested in serving as an external reviewer, please send a short message to eo@aapt.org to begin the process for being placed on the list.  If your department or program is interested in requesting names of potential reviewers, please send a request to eo@aapt.org or via fax at 301-209-0845.

National Two-Year College Physics Meeting

Held in tandem with the AAPT 2013 Summer Meeting
                      The 2013 TYC Meeting, "Class Room Pioneers: Trail Blazing in Undergraduate Physics Education" will be Saturday, July 13 in Portland, Oregon.  The meeting will feature Sample Classes, Mini-Workshops, and Demo/Share sessions focusing on Classroom Innovations, Classroom Issues, Education Issues, and Building the TYC Physics Community.  TYC meeting registration is independent of the AAPT National Meeting. To volunteer with program organization or to contribute a presentation contact: Bill Waggoner, Keith Clay, Greg Mulder, Dennis Gilbert, Adrienne Battle, or Renee Lathrop.

2013 High School Physics Photo Contest Calendar

Members should expect to receive one complimentary copy of the 2013 High School Physics Photo Contest calendar in late November. As a gift giving option, The Physics Store carries additional copies for $9.99 each and is accepting pre-orders which will be shipped late November. Members receive 20% off when purchasing 2 calendars or 33% off when ordering 3 or more. All proceeds support the Physics Photo Contest. Additionally, donations directly to the High School Physics Photo Contest Fund are greatly appreciated and ensure the continuation of the program. Make your gift online.
                      Downloadable PTRA lesson plans are now available through the Physics Store. Each lesson includes student activity and teacher preparation pages. Topics include magnetism, light waves, force and motion, and kinematics. Order online.

PhysicsBowl Needs You!

Each year, AAPT sponsors a special contest (the PhysicsBowl) to challenge high school students who are interested in physics. Approximately 5,000 students from around the world take a 40-question, 45-minute timed, multiple-choice test under their school’s supervision.  Exam questions are based on topics and concepts covered in  high school physics courses of all levels.  The test is given in late March and early April with winners announced in early May. Read more online. Michael Faleski, PhysicsBowl Coordinator and Associate Professor of Physics at Delta College, and the PhysicsBowl Advisory Board are seeking physics educators interested in joining the Board and assisting in preparing the exams.  This is a fun and unique way of getting high school students excited about physics.  If you are interested in joining the PhysicsBowl Advisory Board, please send a message expressing your interest to eo@aapt.org.

Is Your Membership Up-to-date?

It may be time to renew and ensure continuity of your benefits, services and valuable AAPT journal content. Log into your member record at AAPT.org using your ID and password. You can verify your status from your profile page and use the link provided there to renew. If you have any questions, or concerns or need further assistance, feel free to contact Member Services at 301-209-3333, or by e-mail at membership@aapt.org.

Social Media Update

If you hadn't noticed, we've shortened our Facebook and Twitter usernames. You can now find us at http://facebook.com/AAPTHQ and http://twitter.com/AAPTHQ, formerly "physicsteachers."  Don't worry, you don't have to do anything like liking us or following us again.
                      If you're not following us on social media, well this is your chance.  Also, check out our new Pinterest page, http://pinterest.com/AAPTHQ, make sure to follow our boards and re-pin anything you find interesting.
                      Stay abreast of the latest AAPT and physics-related news.  We invite you to like us, follow us, connect with us, and pin us.

ComPADRE @ 2012 Quadrennial Physics Congress

Once every four years Sigma Pi Sigma, the physics honor society, hosts a unique meeting that brings together undergraduate and graduate physics students, practicing physicists, and physics alumni for a weekend of cutting edge science and reflection on the role of the scientist in society.
                      The 2012 Quadrennial Physics Congress is being held in Orlando, FL and ComPADRE will be exhibiting at Booth #12. Exhibits are open on Thursday, November 8th, from 3:30-7:30 PM. The exhibit hall location is in Boca V-VIII and Boca Foyer in the Caribe Royale Hotel.

Section News

November 2012 Section Meetings

Arkansas-Oklahoma-Kansas Section Fall Meeting - Nov. 2-3
                      From Isolation to Inclusion - Assembling and Utilizing Resources for Physics Education
                      Northwestern Oklahoma State University-Enid Campus, Enid, OK
  AOKAAPT online
  Northern California-Nevada Section Fall Meeting - Nov. 2-3
                      Sierra College, Rocklin, CA
  NCNAAPT online
  Southern California Section Fall Meeting - Nov. 3
                      California State University at Northridge, Northridge, CA
  SCAAPT online
  Iowa Section Fall Meeting - Nov. 3
                      Iowa Lakes Community College, Estherville, Estherville, IA
  IAAPT online
  New England Section Fall Meeting - Nov. 9-10
                      joint with APS-NES
                      Williams College, Williamstown, MA
  AAPT-NES online
  North Carolina  Section Fall Meeting - Nov. 16-17
                      High Point University, High Point, NC
  NCSAAPT online
                      The July 2012 Section News is now online.
                      To list your section meeting in the AAPT Calendar of Events, e-mail the information to mgardner@aapt.org. See the December 2011 Section News.

Are You a New Physics Teacher? Could You Use a Little Help?

Are you a veteran physics teacher who could mentor a new physics teacher? The AAPT eMentoring program is designed to connect pre-college physics educators in need of additional guidance with experienced pre-college physics educators. Learn more.

The Physics Educator

Earlier this year AAPT  introduced an online, members-only site called The Physics Educator (TPE). TPE's mission is to promote interest in and the advancement of physics education at all levels.  At members' request, new features have been added including a rating system, a forum, and more.  Further suggestions are welcome. Login and try it out.

A Look At Sequestration: Potential Cuts to Federal R&D In the First Five Years

A report recently released by the AAAS Science & Policy department looks at what sequestration is and how the mandatory budget cuts would  impact federal funding of science, research, and innovation. Download and read the full report.

Registration Now Open for the 2013 Conferences for Undergraduate Women in Physics

Conferences for Undergraduate Women in Physics (CUWiP) are three-day regional conferences for undergraduate physics majors. The 2013 conferences will run Friday evening, January 18 through Sunday afternoon, January 20, 2013. For 2013, there will be six regional conferences; students are encouraged to apply to the nearest conference. Students must apply by November 15, 2012 for consideration. Read more online.

2013 PhysTEC Conference: Workshop Proposal Submission & Registration Now Open

Preparing the Next Generation of Physics Teachers, March 16-17, 2013 in Baltimore, MD
                      Registration is now open for the 2013 annual conference. Reserve your space now! This year's opening plenary will be given by Richard Steinberg, Program Director of Science Education at City College of New York and author of An Inquiry Into Science Education, Where the Rubber Meets the Road. In collaboration with the American Chemical Society, the conference will also feature sessions on chemistry teacher preparation. The 2013 conference is being held in conjunction with the American Physical Society March Meeting.

PhysTEC Workshop Proposal Submission Update

PhysTEC invites proposals for 90 minute workshop sessions at the 2013 conference. Proposals are now being accepted through the APS Meetings abstract submission website. APS membership is not required to submit an abstract for this conference. The deadline for abstract submission is 5 p.m. Eastern, November 30, 2012. More information is available on the conference website.

Call for Manuscript Proposals

The Physics Teacher Education Coalition, the American Physical Society, and the American Association of Physics Teachers announce a call for manuscript proposals for a new peer-reviewed book entitled Effective Practices in Preservice Physics Teacher Education: Recruitment, Retention, and Preparation.  This book seeks to provide a practical guide to innovative, state-of-the-art programs, and will include papers and case studies covering a wide variety of topics in preservice teacher education.  Manuscript proposals are due February 1, 2013. Review call for manuscript proposals.

World’s Most Advanced Mirror for Giant Telescope Completed

Advanced Placement Physics Getting a Redesign

The College Board has announced a redesign for two of its most popular Advanced Placement courses, AP U.S. History and AP Physics B. Physics B will be split up into two courses, AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2, based on recommendations by the National Research Council and the National Science Foundation.  The new course design will focus on concepts fundamental to the study of physics — including Newtonian mechanics, which was not previously part of the course or the exam. Read more.

International Exchange and Research Opportunities for U.S. Classroom Teachers

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs offers Fulbright grants for U.S. primary and secondary classroom teachers, guidance counselors, curriculum specialists, curriculum heads, Talented and Gifted coordinators, Special Education coordinators and media specialists/librarians to participate in international exchanges during the 2013-2014 academic year through the Fulbright Classroom Teacher Exchange Program (CTE) and the Distinguished Fulbright Awards in Teaching Program (DA).
                      Read more online.
                      The application deadline for the DA program is December 15, 2012.
  Apply online.

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.  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 mmormile@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.

© 2012, American Association of Physics Teachers