eNNOUNCER September 2009

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eNNOUNCER September, 2009 
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2010 APS/AAPT Joint Meeting

Join your colleagues in the physics community from February 13-17, 2010 at the Washington Marriott, Wardman Park in Washington, D.C. This joint meeting will not only have everything that makes National Meetings so great, but also feature concurrent and jointly planned sessions with the American Physical Society (APS).

Additionally, a special joint plenary session will be held on Saturday, Feb. 13. The session will include input from APS, AAPT, the National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP) and the National Society of Hispanic Physicists (NSHP).

Abstract submission deadline is September 16, 2009. http://aapt.org/Events/abstractForm.cfm

Registration for the meeting is available at http://www.aapt.org.

Check the events calendar for future meetings.

http://www.aapt.org/Events/calendar.cfm

Physics Teacher Education Coalition Conference 2010

The 2010 Physics Teacher Education Coalition (PTEC) Conference will be held in Washington, DC, in conjunction with the APS “April” Meeting, the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) Winter Meeting, and the National Society of Black Physicists and National Society of Hispanic Physicists meeting. The theme will be Diversity in Physics Education: Preparing Teachers for the 21st Century.

For more information, see www.PTEC.org/conferences/2010

PhysTEC Receives $6.5 Million Award

National teacher preparation program plans to award grants to 18 universities to focus on physics teacher education.

The American Physical Society (APS) and the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) recently received a five-year, $6.5 million award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to continue work on the Physics Teacher Education Coalition (PhysTEC), a project that aims to improve and promote the education of future physics and physical science teachers. PhysTEC began in 2001 with a $5.76 million NSF award.

For more information see http://aapt.org/upload/PhysTEC-press-release-August-2009.pdf

Team America Rocketry Challenge Registration Opens

Registration for the world's largest rocket competition, the Team America Rocketry Challenge, is open to student teams in grades 7-12 from any U.S. school, home school, or non-profit youth organization. Registration for the 2010 spring contest is open now through November 30.

View Web Version here.

High School Physics Teacher Grant

The High School Physics Teacher Grant(s) are given each year to AAPT member teachers whose proposal proves to result in better teaching practice, student understanding and interest, and/or increased enrollment. Deadline for proposals is December 1, 2009. For more information and an application visit http://www.aapt.org/Grants/hsgrant.cfm

The Physics Classroom

comPADREThe Physics Classroom has been expanded with three new sections this month. Read on to find out more about each of these exciting additions.

Shockwave Physics Studios (http://www.physicsclassroom.com/shwave/):
The Shockwave Physics Studios includes 22 interactive Shockwave animations that simulate a physical situation. Users can manipulate a variable and observe the outcome of the change on the physical situation. Most animations are accompanied by an activity sheet for duplication and distribution to students.

The Review Session (http://www.physicsclassroom.com/reviews/):
The Review Session includes a collection of pages with questions and answers/explanations which serve as reviews or practice. Each review complements a chapter from The Physics Classroom Tutorial. The Review Session is an ideal resource for students who are preparing for an exam.

Curriculum Corner (http://www.physicsclassroom.com/curculum/):
The Curriculum Corner is a collection of classroom ready worksheets for use by teachers with their classes. Pages are synchronized to readings from The Physics Classroom Tutorial. Worksheets are available in a PDF format.

In Memoriam

E. Leonard Jossem

Leonard JossemE. Leonard Jossem, age 90, of Columbus, passed away Saturday, August 29, 2009 at The Ohio State University Hospital. Jossem was a former AAPT President and Retired Professor Emeritus of the Physics Department at The Ohio State University. Funeral arrangements are pending at RUTHERFORD-CORBIN FUNERAL HOME, 515 High Street, Worthington, OH 43085. Condolences may be sent to:

http://www.rutherfordfuneralhomes.com.

A memorial service is planned for October 3 at 2:30 pm in the Atrium of the Physics Research Building on the Ohio State campus. AAPT has posted a memorial tribute to Dr. Jossem at http://www.aapt.org/aboutaapt/upload/JossemPressRelease.pdf

Section News

Alabama Section News

The weather didn't stop the Alabama Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers and the Annual Section Meeting was held on Saturday, 2/28 at the University of Montevallo. While the cold rain was nasty enough on Saturday, the snow on Sunday (yes, in Alabama) came as a scenic, if short-lived surprise. About 30 teachers attended the meeting, and participated in sessions ranging from "Celebrating Einstein and Pi Day" to "Measuring Systematic Errors with Curve Fits."

Paul HelmingerDuring the business meeting Marllin Simon (Auburn) was elected AL Section AAPT president for 2009 - 2010. Duane Pontius (Birmingham Southern) was elected AL Section AAPT president-elect and president for 2010-2011. Tommi Holsenbeck (Alabama State) was elected secretary/treasurer for 2009-2010. Stan Jones (Univ. of Alabama) continues as section rep.

Alabama Section members approved establishment of a $300 grant named for Barry Walker (a very popular high school teacher whose untimely passing occurred shortly before the meeting) to go to an Alabama Section member teacher as assistance with the cost of attending the AAPT Summer Meeting.

Photo caption: Paul Helminger about to soak somebody (himself?) with a rotating wash bottle.

Members in the News

Gavrin Appointed Chair of IUPUI Physics Department

Indianapolis, IN, Aug. 12, 2009 -IUPUI School of Science announced Dr. Andrew D. Gavrin will serve as the new Chair of the Department of Physics beginning August 1, 2009 for a four year term. Dr. Gavrin is well known for his efforts in physics education and research on the physics of nanostructured magnetic materials.

More... http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=37150

Member Visits Widow of Distinguished Service Citation Winner

PresentToAdele_smOn August 20, Bob Morse met with Adele Steinberg to present the AAPT Distinguished Service Citation that was awarded posthumously to Mel Steinberg at the 2009 Summer Meeting. He had framed the formal copy of Lila Adair's remarks which he read aloud to Adele. She seemed to be in good spirits and was most appreciative of the honor to Mel.

Photo caption: Bob Morse presents Adele Steinberg her husband's Distinguished Service Citation.

20th Annual Argonne Symposium for Undergraduates in Science, Engineering and Mathematics

The Twentieth Annual Argonne Symposium for Undergraduates in Science, Engineering and Mathematics invites undergraduate authors to submit abstracts on their research. The Symposium will be conducted Friday, November 13, 2009, at Argonne National Laboratory. All Symposium presenters and attendees are required to pre‑register and to pay an $85 registration fee. The deadline for submission of abstracts and to register for the Symposium is September 14, 2009.

Instructions for preparation of your abstract (see Abstract Format), abstract submission, and registration information are available online at http://www.dep.anl.gov/p_undergrad/ugsymp

Vernier and NSTA Award Thousands to Innovators in Science Education

Each year Vernier Software & Technology and the National Science Teacher's Association (NSTA) present the most innovative science teachers in the country with the Vernier Software & Technology/NSTA Technology Award. The awards, valued at $3000 each, are given to up to seven educators judged to have created the best inquiry-based, hands-on learning activities using data-collection technology interfaced with computers, graphing calculators and other handheld devices such as the Vernier LabQuest.

Up to one elementary teacher, two middle school teachers, three high school teachers and one college-level educator will receive the technology awards. Each award consists of $1000 in cash, $1000 in Vernier equipment, and up to $1000 toward travel and expenses for attending NSTA's 2009 National Convention. Entries are due by November 30, 2009 and will be judged by a panel of experts appointed by NSTA. Educators can be nominated or self-nominate for the awards. Access to the online application and guidelines are available on the Vernier web site at www.vernier.com/grants/nsta.html

STSI 2009 May Symposium: The Search for Life in the Universe

Sponsored by the Space Telescope Science Institute and NASA, this new website includes all talks and posters including slides and webcasts. A great resource for your International Year of Astronomy curriculum. http://2009springsymposium.stsci.edu/

Toyota TAPESTRY Program Now Accepting Entries for the 20th Annual Science Grant Competition

The Toyota TAPESTRY Grants for Science Teachers program is now accepting entries for the 2009-2010 competition. Administered by the NSTA, the program offers grants of up to $10,000 to K-12 teachers for innovative science projects that enhance science education in their school and/or district over a one-year period. The 2009 – 2010 competition marks the 20th anniversary of the Toyota TAPESTRY program. http://www.nsta.org/pd/tapestry/

NSTA Online Short Course: Light

Teachers will love this online short course on Light. If you’re teaching grades 3-9, you can build your background through NSTA’s live web sessions beginning Tuesday, October 13, 2009 and on the following four consecutive Tuesdays, under the guidance of Dr. Matt Bobrowsky. The dates are: 10/13, 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, and 11/10 and the course is held from 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Participants will strengthen their physical science concepts through synchronous learning for an hour and a half each week. See http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/online_courses/light.aspx

or write ptingler@nsta.org

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Talent Expansion Program (STEP)

The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Talent Expansion Program (STEP) seeks to increase the number of students (U.S. citizens or permanent residents) receiving associate or baccalaureate degrees in established or emerging fields within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Type 1 proposals are solicited that provide for full implementation efforts at academic institutions. Type 2 proposals are solicited that support educational research projects onassociate or baccalaureate degree attainment in STEM.
Full Proposal Deadline Date: September 29, 2009
Program Guidelines: NSF 08-569

More at http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5488&WT.mc_id=USNSF_39

LSU to Offer Dual Physics Doctorates with China

LSU has finalized plans to offer dual physics doctorates from LSU and the Institute of Physics in Beijing. LSU is developing the same partnership with Nanjing University, which is one of China’s most prestigious traditional colleges.
Read more at: http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/53394517.html

WoPHY09 Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics at UNL

The University of Nebraska - Lincoln is bringing together outstanding undergraduate women researchers in Physics for a three-day conference, from Friday, October 29th through Sunday, November 1st.
For more information and to register, visit: http://www.physics.unl.edu/~wophy/info.shtml

AAPT on Facebook and Twitter

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Copyright © 2009, American Association of Physics Teachers

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