eNNOUNCER October 2011
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eNNOUNCER October 2011 2011 Nobel Physics Prize WinnersSaul Perlmutter, Brian Schmidt, and Adam Reiss share the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics "for the discovery of the accelerating expansion of the universe through observations of distant supernovae." Read more. Call for Action to Support NSF FundingIf you live in the United States, AAPT and the nation need your help. AAPT members are urged to contact their senators and urge support for the full requested level of funding for NSF for the 2012 fiscal year. See the full Call for Action! WM2012, The Wave Nature of Light and MatterRegistration is now live for the 2012 Winter Meeting. The Early Bird Registration Deadline is December 7. Physics and Astronomy Featured in Sept/Oct Issue of ImagineAAPT members will find a wealth of unique tools in the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth's recent issue of Imagine including a feature photo from the 2011 AAPT High School Physics Photo Contest and an interview about the U.S. Physics Team with 2011 Gold Medalist, Brian Zhang. Looking for a way to tell prospective students what Physics is? You will want to read, "Physics Is" and share it with your colleagues, guidance counselors, media specialists, students, and their parents. AAPT National ElectionThe election of officers for Executive Board service beginning in 2012 is in progress until midnight (eastern daylight time) November 4. This is a totally electronic election. If you have an email address on record the information with instructions on how to access the ballot and vote electronically arrived via your email box. If you don't have an email address, your instructions on how to vote electronically were mailed to you in September. Call for EditorPhysical Review Special Topics: Physics Education Research AAPT Recognized with GuideStar Exchange SealAAPT received the GuideStar Exchange Seal, a leading symbol of transparency and accountability provided by GuideStar USA, Inc., the premier source of nonprofit information. The Seal demonstrates to AAPT’s support-base our deep commitment to nonprofit transparency and accountability. Registration for Colorado Learning Assistant Workshop Now OpenNovember 2-3, 2011 in Boulder, CO 2012 Physics Teacher Education Coalition Conference: New Paradigms for Physics Teacher EducationThe PhysTEC Conference features workshops, panel discussions, and presentations by national leaders, as well as excellent networking opportunities. The 2012 conference will be held February 3-4, in conjunction with the American Association of Physics Teachers Winter Meeting. Proposals are due Oct. 10, 2011. Submit a proposal. PhysTEC Solicitation for New Sites - Now AvailableThe 2011 solicitation for new PhysTEC sites is now available on phystec.org. has a mission of improving the education of future physics teachers. PhysTEC will fund approximately three comprehensive sites ($100k/year for 3 years) and three targeted sites ($25k/year for 3 years). Comprehensive sites will be expected to implement the full PhysTEC program and graduate a relatively large number of students qualified to teach physics. Targeted sites will also be expected to establish effective physics teacher education programs, but on a smaller scale. An initial proposal is due October 26 at 5 p.m. local time. A webinar on October 5 at 3 p.m. EDT will discuss the solicitation and provide an opportunity for Q&A. If you cannot attend the webinar, a recording will be available for viewing at a later time (you should still register to get access). Read online. Call for Nominations for AAPT AwardsThe Awards Committee is seeking nominations for the Oersted Medal, the Richtmyer Memorial Lecture Award, the Melba Newell Phillips Medal, the J. D. Jackson Award for Excellence in Graduate Physics Teaching, and the AAPT Distinguished Service Citation. All AAPT members are urged to review the descriptions of these awards on the AAPT website and then, following instructions available at a link on that website, to nominate individuals deemed worthy of consideration for any of these awards.
The Physics Classroom has updated its Minds on Physics Internet Modules at ComPADRE. The recently revised Minds On Physics Internet Modules utilize a collection of carefully crafted questions to improve students' conceptions of physics. Interactive Shockwave files have been combined with web-based instructional resources to engage students in an exercise in thinking, reflecting and learning. Students will enjoy using these for practice and teachers can use them as homework assignments.
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.
AAPT is preserving audiovisual files from members on topics including the teaching and learning of physics, collaborations and interactions between members, historical and personal reminiscing about physics related experiences and careers, the value of being an AAPT member, and much more. If you wish to contribute your own video to this project, please contact Dave Wolfe for details. Section News AAPT Sections Host Physics Day at 2011 NSTA Area Conferences October Fall Meetings Registration Now Open for the 2012 Conferences for Undergraduate Women in Physics The Conferences for Undergraduate Women in Physics (CUWIP), three-day regional conferences for undergraduate physics majors, will be held January 13-15, 2012. The application deadline is November 15, 2011. Podcast Friday: Don't Lecture Me!Don't Lecture Me: Rethinking the Way College Students Learn tells the unexpected story of how a group of physicists became concerned about what their students were learning, what they did about it, and how their work is influencing a new generation trying to reinvent college so that students really learn. Vernier Co-founders to Receive University of Oregon's Distinguished Service Award
Christine and David Vernier, co-founders of Vernier Software & Technology, based in Beaverton, Oregon, have been named as recipients of the University of Oregon's Distinguished Service Award. This recognition, the University of Oregon’s highest award for service, is presented each year to individuals who by their knowledge and skills have made a significant contribution to the cultural development of Oregon or society. Vernier/NSTA Grant Rewards Innovative Educators Using Data-Collection Technology in the ClassroomVernier Software & Technology and the National Science Teachers’ Association (NSTA) are accepting applications for the annual Vernier/NSTA Technology Awards. The awards, valued at $3,000 each, will recognize up to seven educators who demonstrate the best inquiry-based, hands-on learning activities using data-collection technology interfaced with computers, TI graphing calculators and other handheld devices such as the Vernier LabQuest. Texas Holds Firm on Physics ClosuresTexas higher-education officials delivered a stern message to physicists yesterday that the state is likely to stick to plans to phase out 'low-performing' physics programmes within the next year or two if they cannot demonstrate compelling plans to improve. Science Education Experts Test New Teaching Method, Address Low Proficiency of US Students in ScienceScience education experts are ditching traditional teaching methods for something new in an effort to improve students’ understanding of science. Standardized tests show that the nation is largely under-proficient in science. The new method asks students to act as scientists. They are assigned research questions, must gather data and develop an argument, and then must present the findings to their peers. Classmates review the material and challenge the results, just as scientists do in the real world. AIP Statistical Research Center ReleasesRoster of Physics Departments with Enrollment and Degree Data, 2010 AIP Invites Fellowship ApplicationsThe American Institute of Physics is accepting applications for the 2012-13 State Department science fellowship term. Applications are due November 1. Microsoft Releases National Survey Findings on How to Inspire the Next Generation of Doctors, Scientists, Software Developers and EngineersMicrosoft Corp. has announced the findings of two national surveys of college students currently pursuing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) degrees and of parents of K–12 students. The goal of the surveys was to gain insight about what can better prepare and inspire students to pursue post-secondary education in STEM subjects. The results provide implications for nurturing interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers. Balancing the Scale: NSF's Career-Life Balance Initiative"If we're going to out-innovate and out-educate the rest of the world, then we have to open doors to everyone. We can't afford to leave anyone out. We need all hands on deck. And that means clearing hurdles for women and girls as they navigate careers in science, technology, engineering and math." So explained First Lady Michelle Obama at a recent White House event promoting a new "NSF Career-Life Balance Initiative." Designed to be implemented during the next ten years, the plan entails a series of policy changes increasing work-related flexibility to female and male researchers supported by the National Science Foundation. A major component of the new foundation-wide policy is the ability of a researcher to postpone or suspend a NSF grant for up to one year to care for a newborn, a newly adopted child, or other family obligation. Marshall Plan ScholarshipsFunded by the Austrian Marshall Plan Foundation, an academic exchange program was established to finance scholarships and fellowships for academic exchange between Austria and the U.S. with a special focus on universities of applied sciences and technical universities. Since funding is always an obstacle, the Marshall Plan Foundation offers up to 1,000 scholarships for American and Austrian students for the academic years 2008 to 2017. The funding will be up to € 10.000,- (at a minimum of € 3.000,-) for at least three months. New Resources for Those Who Teach AstronomyThe Astronomical Society of the Pacific has new educational resources designed to support the teaching or explaining of astronomy. AAU STEM Initiative AnnouncedThe Association of American Universities (AAU) has announced a five-year initiative to improve the quality of undergraduate teaching and learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields at its member institutions. The goals of the initiative are to help institutions assess the quality of STEM teaching on their campuses, share best practices, and create incentives for their departments and faculty members to adopt the most effective teaching methods in their classes. Bring Science to Life in Your Classroom with Krucible and an Exclusive OfferSome science concepts can be difficult to explain—and even harder to illustrate practically in-class. But by using real-time simulation, idoodlesoftware’s krucible virtual laboratories bring physics to life. For a limited time only, idoodlesoftware is offering to all AAPT members a special 50% discount off this amazing software. Offer ends Nov. 25. Was This Issue of eNNOUNCER Useful?Tell us what you think about this issue of eNNOUNCER. Join us on Facebook and TwitterAAPT tweets, posts and discussions are ongoing at these Social Networking links. Join us and stay informed. About eNNOUNCERAAPT'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. Advertising and Archiving Note on External Links Thanks for your readership and your support of AAPT. Copyright © 2011, American Association of Physics Teachers |
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