Tuesday, July 16 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Take advantage of the lovely summer weather in Portland and join your friends and family for great food and free beer at the AAPT summer picnic. Our sincerest thanks to Vernier Software & Technology for once again sponsoring this exciting event.The picnic will be located in downtown Portland on Main Street, between Southwest Broadway & Park Avenue only two blocks from the conference hotel. Following the picnic at the Portland Center for Performing Arts will be "Physics Center Stage" featuring the Oregon Ballet Theater on the physics of ballet.

Tuesday, July 16 from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. Come enjoy the 6th Annual AAPT Fun Run/Walk along the Willamette River in the heart of Portland. Meet in the Hilton lobby at 6:15 and walk to the Salmon Street Springs water fountain in Tom McCall Waterfront Park, with views of Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens. You'll find out why Portland is called Bridgetown, as you run under and over four of Portland's historic bridges. The route includes the Vera Katz Esplanade, one of the longest floating walkways in the world and the USS Blueback, a submarine docked next to OMSI and star of The Hunt for Red October.

Development of Effective Assessment To Inform Instruction in Undergraduate Physics - This focus discussion group on plans for the development of assessment instruments is designed to assess the effectiveness of instructional methods at the university/college introductory physics course level. We will discuss steps towards the development of assessment instruments that go beyond conceptual inventories in skills assessed and problem format. One example is the possibility of the development of a secure database of PER-informed and other exam problems of different problem formats that could be made available to instructors, including grading rubrics, and with a database of the results. This session is for people interested in working on the development of such instruments as part of a large project, who are willing to invest time, apply for grants, and whose institutions would be willing to test such instruments.

Monday, July 15 from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Are you new to an AAPT National Meeting? If so, this is the best time to learn about AAPT and the Summer Meeting, as well as meet fellow attendees. AAPT leadership will be represented to discuss ways to get more involved with AAPT. You are also welcome to participate in any of AAPT's Area Committee meetings. Please reference the website for a committee meeting that piques your interest.

Monday, July 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. AAPT members have seen the equipment, followed the company, as it emerged as an International Supplier of Physics Equipment, but at this meeting, International members and International Committee members, as well as Friends of the Committee can experience this unique opportunity of a tour and lunch at the headquarters of Vernier Software & Technology. You will engage and socialize with other International attendees about the latest trends in physics education. The tour by David Vernier will include, visiting the Vernier museum of "antique" computers and physics equipment and a ride on a Segway (optional). Space is limited.Location: Vernier Software and Technology, 13979 SW Millikan Way, Beaverton, OR.Transportation - The fare is $2.50 for a 2-hour ticket ($1 for people over 65) on the TRIMET Max Light Rail and about $5 round trip. The trip is approximately 30 minutes to get to Vernier from downtown Portland, OR.

Monday, July 15 at 10:15 a.m. - Your name will be entered into a drawing for a brand new Kindle (e-book reader). The drawing will be held during the morning break in the Exhibit Hall on Monday, July 15. You must be present to win! The more tickets you buy, the better your chances will be at winning!

Monday, July 15 at 3:45 p.m. - Your name will be entered into a drawing for a $75 Gift Card. The drawing will be held in the Exhibit Hall during the afternoon break on Monday, July 15. You must be present to win! The more tickets you buy, the better your chances will be at winning!

July 17-18 - PERC provides an opportunity for those in the field of physics education research and allied fields to share their research, obtain feedback, explore diverse perspectives and discuss issues relevant to the community. Conference begins Thursday - 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. This event will be at the Hilton Portland and Executive Tower.In order to attend the PERC, you must register for the AAPT meeting either for the Full Meeting or One Day. Banquet and Conference will be held at Hilton Portland and Executive Tower.You must be registered by Sunday, July 14 in order to attend the banquet.

Wednesday, July 17 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. On this tour of downtown Portland, voted one of America's most livable cities, your guide will share stories, anecdotes and surprises for you, as you make your way down Broadway, named after the famous New York street, and for the same reason-theaters! Arrive at Pioneer Square known as Portland's living room, where people meet their friends or enjoy a celebration. View the art as you walk through the financial district towards historic Old Town and next door Chinatown, once second only to San Francisco. The city budget has dedicated one percent per year to art in all forms from interesting statues to cartoons on buildings! While you are here, there is a stop at Voo Doo donuts - this is a treat you will not want to miss! Continue down the waterfront watching the river traffic, pass the smallest park in the world which is made for Leprechauns, and walk to the famous Portlandia, largest copper statue in the U.S. after the Statue of Liberty. You will depart from the lobby of the Hilton Portland and Executive Tower.

Monday, July 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. This is NOT your typical sightseeing tour...guests on board the "Hop On/Hop Off" BIG PINK SIGHTSEEING tour are not only entertained by the amazing tour guides; but the BIG PINK bus also supports Breast Cancer research worldwide!! For every guest, a contribution to the Breast Cancer Foundation is made on behalf of the operator of the tour. This one and a half hour circuit will include stops at Pioneer Courthouse Square, Washington Park, Oregon Zoo, the Pearl District, Chinatown, the Rose Garden, OMSI and more! You will walk or take a cab to Nordstrom Department Store on Broadway to get on the trolley and begin the tour

Tuesday, July 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Guided Tour: The Portland State University Tall Barometer and Demonstration Tour examines the barometer from the reservoir to the top vacuum cap. A demonstration of the earth's atmosphere pushing the working fluid up 12m (40') will be shown. Feel free to take a self-guided tour between 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Located at Maseeh College of Engineering & Computer Science Atrium, 1930 SW 4th Avenue, Portland; lower level to 2nd floor. Photos allowed.

Tuesday, July 16 from 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Guided Tour: The Portland State University Tall Barometer and Demonstration Tour examines the barometer from the reservoir to the top vacuum cap. A demonstration of the earth's atmosphere pushing the working fluid up 12m (40') will be shown. Feel free to take a self-guided tour between 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Located at Maseeh College of Engineering & Computer Science Atrium, 1930 SW 4th Avenue, Portland; lower level to 2nd floor. Photos allowed.

Saturday, July 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Trailblazers of Undergraduate Physics Education - The TYC Tandem Meeting will be a full day of workshops, presentations, and discussions focused on the needs of the two-year college physics teaching community. We will address issues related to classroom innovations, community building, and the demands of the two-year college environment. Presenters will share sample lessons, lab/demonstration ideas, and instructional technology knowhow. Friends and faculty of two-year colleges are invited to spend a day in discussion of issues of importance to two-year college physics teachers. Location: Vernier Software and Technology, 13979 SW Millikan Way, Beaverton, OR.Transportation - The fare is $2.50 for a 2-hour ticket ($1 for people over 65) on the TRIMET Max Light Rail and about $5 for round trip. The trip is approximately 30 minutes to get to Vernier from downtown Portland, OR.You do "not" need to register for the Summer Meeting in order to attend this Institute. If you would like to attend this event only, please call AAPT Programs & Conferences Department at 301-209-3340 to register.

Wednesday, July 17 from 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Guided Tour: The Portland State University Tall Barometer and Demonstration Tour examines the barometer from the reservoir to the top vacuum cap. A demonstration of the earth's atmosphere pushing the working fluid up 12m (40') will be shown. Feel free to take a self-guided tour between 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Located at Maseeh College of Engineering & Computer Science Atrium, 1930 SW 4th Avenue, Portland; lower level to 2nd floor. Photos allowed.