eNNOUNCER January 2021
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AAPT News
Meeting of the Members at the AAPT 2021 Winter Meeting
We invite you to attend the Meeting of the Members at the upcoming AAPT 2021 Winter Meeting. Please refer to the 2021 Winter Meeting program for details about the date and time of the meeting. The agenda and minutes of the 2020 Meeting of the Members will be posted on aapt.org on the 2021 Winter Meeting webpage. You'll learn more about AAPT's programs and activities that are going on. Can't attend the meeting? We'll post the presentations on the AAPT website following the meeting.
2020 AAPT Board of Directors Election Results
Dear AAPT Members,
The AAPT membership has voted and elected the following members to serve on the AAPT Board of Directors
Vice-President: Duane Merrell
Two-Year College Representative: Krista Wood
Secretary: D. Blane Baker
Thank you to all of the candidates for their support. Congratulations to those who will take office at the 2021 Winter Meeting.
Notification to Members Concerning Amendments to AAPT By-Laws
Dear AAPT Members,
The AAPT Board of Directors will be voting on By-Law amendments to add an early career member to the Board of Directors. In order to amend the By-Laws, the proposed changes need to be announced to the Board four months before the vote and need to be announced to membership, for public comment, at least one month before the vote. Announcements were made to the Board at the July 2020 Board meeting. For more information on the process for Amendments to the By-Laws please see Article X of the By-Laws
here
This notification serves as the announcement to AAPT membership.
We invite you to review these additions to the By-Laws here and comment on this amendment. We request that all comments be received by Dec 15th.
To comment please complete the form here
Davies Named as First Recipient of the Doc Brown Futures Award
AAPT has announced that the recipient of the Doc Brown Futures Award is Kenric Davies. He has the honor of being the first recipient of this new award. The Doc Brown Futures Award recognizes early-career members who demonstrate excellence in their contributions to AAPT and physics education and exhibit the potential to serve in an AAPT leadership role. The award will be presented during the 2021 Virtual Winter Meeting. Read more
2021 Homer L. Dodge Citation for Distinguished Service to AAPT Announced
AAPT has announced that Nina Morley Daye and Mary Jane Head will receive the association's Homer L. Dodge Citation for Distinguished Service to AAPT, during the 2021 Virtual Winter Meeting.
2021 AAPT Virtual Winter Meeting, January 9-12
Registration
There is still time to register for the 2021 AAPT Virtual Winter Meeting. Please click here for more information.
Program
Please click here to view the exciting program of plenaries, posters, talks, social events, exhibitors and more
Workshops
AAPT is offering a number of virtual workshops in association with the upcoming 2021 AAPT Virtual Winter Meeting. This is a great opportunity to gather with your colleagues and learn some new teaching techniques, while engaging in thoughtful discussion. Be sure and register early as these workshops can fill-up quickly. A number of workshops are offering partial or full reimbursement after completion. Please read workshop descriptions for details. Click here for more information.
AAPT Virtual WM21 Registration and Dependent Care Grants
Need help with covering the costs associated with attending an AAPT 2021 Virtual Winter Meeting? AAPT still has funds available to help members of the physics education community defray the cost to attend meetings. Applications will be considered in the order received until the funds are expended or January 8th, whichever occurs first. Please click here for more information.
Plenary Speakers
AAPT is featuring an extensive line up of renowned plenary speakers. Click here for more information.
Adriaan Bax, Ph.D.
NIH Distinguished Investigator
National Institutes of Health
Geraldine Cox
Finding Patterns
Wendy Freedman
John and Marion Sullivan University Professor in Astronomy and Astrophysics and the College,
Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics
University of Chicago
McKensie Mack
McKensie Mack Group (MMG)
Join Us for the AAPT Virtual Coffee Hour and Remote Instruction Share-a-thon
AAPT is working to help our members communicate with one another to provide the best physics education possible. AAPT members bring questions about physics education (taken broadly) to discuss and share their experiences in a confidential setting.
Please join us for these events!
Check the calendar for next Virtual Coffee Hour. Check your in-box for an invitation. Please make sure you RSVP (marketing@aapt.org) to the event. Everyone who RSVPs will be sent log-in instructions a few hours prior to the call. We hope you can join us!
AAPT One Minute Survey - January 2021
Please take a minute to complete this survey on online learning. Click here to take the survey. Last month's survey results.
Help Support AAPT!
We are living in incredibly challenging times right now. Many physics educators have been impacted and had to change their classes mid-spring from in-person to remote learning. AAPT has been on the forefront providing resources to help with this transition. However, we need your support to continue AAPT's programs and resources. Gifts to the AAPT Annual Fund support the everyday operations of AAPT, from inspiring excellence through educational programming to recognizing award winning physics professionals, all critical pieces in supporting the advancement of physics education. Many of these programs run year round that need your support--donate today to the Annual Fund to make a difference!
AAPT Career Center
No matter what degree you hold or what level you are in your career, the AAPT Career Center is here to help make your job search a more manageable and fulfilling process.
While here, you can:
View job listings for careers at every level, with filtering tools to help you locate exactly what you want
Browse career advice articles to help keep your ambitions fresh and your goals attainable
Brush up on industry trends and employment reports so you can plan your next career pivot
Watch webinars geared towards assisting scientists and engineers in their development
Join the AAPT Career Center today to kickstart your journey towards a job that works for you.
New Book Companion, Statistical and Thermal Physics Programs
This freely available online collection includes all the programs used in the text "Statistical and Thermal Physics: With Computer Applications", 2nd ed., Harvey Gould and Jan Tobochnik, Princeton University Press (2021). These ready-to-run, interactive simulations are designed to help students gain a better understanding of statistical and thermal physics. Physical parameters in the simulations can be changed to explore the systems being modeled. The topics covered range from temperature and approaches to equilibrium, solid and gas models, spin systems, critical phenomena, and near-equilibrium time-dependent phenomena. All simulations are provided in HTML5-JavaScript and will run on most computers and mobile devices.
AAPT Books Program - Calling All Authors!
We are interested in hearing from authors who desire to publish books in the areas of physics content, the history and philosophy of physics, physics education research, and the application of pedagogical techniques in physics. Book topics must fit within the AAPT mission of “enhancing the understanding and appreciation of physics through teaching.” Send questions about authoring an AAPT book to eo@aapt.org.
AIP Departmental Workshop on Increasing African-American Participation in Physics
AIP Departmental Workshop on increasing African-American participation in physics. Application Deadline December 4, 2020.
The AIP Task Force to Elevate the representation of African Americans in Undergraduate physics and astronomy (TEAM-UP) recently released its report, The Time is Now: Systemic Changes to Increase African Americans with Bachelor's Degrees in Physics & Astronomy, which has been a timely resource to departments during the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and racial injustice.
As next steps in the AIP TEAM-UP effort, AIP is organizing two workshops to help departmental teams begin implementing the recommendations in the report. Additionally, the TEAM-UP project will work with departmental teams before and after the workshops to provide resources, support, and community engagement. The first workshop will be held virtually, January 28-29, 2021.
TO APPLY
Please click here or visit www.aip.org/teamupworkshops to apply. The application should be completed by the department chair but should reflect the thinking of the team. The application deadline is December 4, 2020.
Want to engage more with AAPT? Nominate yourself to become a member of an Area Committee!
AAPT needs the support of members like you. We are looking for members interested in engaging in AAPT and sharing their interests and expertise to help other physics educators. Consider nominating yourself for a position on an Area Committee. The Area Commitee Nomination Form also includes information about the appointment duration, expectations, benefits, risks, and selection process. If you have any questions about Area Committees, expectations of committee members, or the nomination process, please contact a member of the Nominating Committee:
Debbie Andres: dandres@paramusschools.org
Dimitri Dounas-Frazer: dounasd@wwu.edu
David Marasco: marascodavid@foothill.edu
AAPT Programs
Support the U.S. Physics Team - Donate Now
Each year AAPT sponsors a competition for high school students to represent the United States at the International Physics Olympiad Competition. 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. AAPT is responsible for recruiting, selecting and training teams each year to compete in the International Physics Olympiad Competition. Your contribution is needed to support these high school students as they prepare to represent the U.S. internationally. Donate now!
2021 F=ma Contest
The F=ma exam for 2021 will be online at one time only, offered on February 18, 2021 at 4 pm EST. Whether your students are physically and/or virtually attending school, we are conducting the exam online for greater ease and convenience.
PLEASE NOTE: For 2021 we ask that only the students' high school science/physics teacher, or parent/guardian register for the F=ma exam. No testing/education centers are eligible to register or proctor the exam. Registration information can be found on the U.S. Physics Team homepage.
2021 AAPT PhysicsBowl Contest
The 2021 PhysicsBowl contest will be held March 24 - April 9, 2021. Due to the uncertainty of in person classes in 2021, we have decided to offer the PhysicsBowl exam in the online format with WebAssign only. Registration will open soon, updates will be posted on the PhysicsBowl webpage.
New Fellowship Opportunity for Underrepresented Minority Teachers of Physics
A joint project from the American Institute of Physics and the American Association of Physics Teachers is starting and we are looking for applicants. Eligible applicants should be Black, African American, African, Black LatinX, Black Caribbean, and those who identify within the African Diaspora and are either a current, recent, or pre-service physics Teacher. Read more.
Save the Date
The Partnership for Integrating Computation in Undergraduate Physics Online Capstone Conference will take place August 11-13, 2021. Please check the gopicup.org web site for further details. Learn more.
2021 PhysTEC Conference
March 5-6, 2021
The PhysTEC Conference is the nation's largest meeting dedicated to the education of future physics teachers. It features workshops on best practices, panel discussions by national leaders, and networking opportunities for physics teacher educators. This virtual conference will take place March 5-6.
Learn more.
STEP UP
Have you done the STEP UP lessons this year? The Careers in Physics lesson helps your students understand "why physics?" and is a great way to start off the year. Once you've built a classroom culture around discussion practices, give Women in Physics a try to discuss representation and how we can build a more equitable field. We even have recommendations for running them remotely on our Online Community (create a free login to join!)
Get the Facts Out Project
Have you ever wondered what the Get the Facts Out project is all about or needed a good way to explain it to colleagues? Check out this recent video of a virtual presentation that Wendy Adams did for a 100Kin10.org online conference. It does a great job of summarizing what the GFO Project is trying to do, why we are doing it and the messages we are promoting.
Feel free to share it with others.
Look for GFO at the upcoming AAPT WM21. We will be running a virtual workshop on Jan 8 and we are organizing a GFO invited/contributed session to highlight how faculty are using GFO resources to increase the impact of their teacher recruitment efforts.
AAPT Membership
AAPT Member Spotlight
Alexandru Maries
Assistant Professor - Educator
University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Read More.
Delivery Options for Print Journals
Many of you receive the print editions of our journals at your workplace, which you may not have access to currently. We wanted to provide you with instructions on how to update your preferred mailing address in your member profile.
- 1. Log in to www.aapt.org and sign in.
- 2. Click on MY ACCOUNT.
- 3. Click the EDIT button (pencil) under ADDRESSES.
- 4. Address preferences should be listed on the right side.
As always, if you need assistance or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us (membership@aapt.org, 301.209.3333).
Membership Renewal
We appreciate our community of members, and we are here to serve you. If you have any difficulties renewing your membership or have any membership-related questions, please do not hesitate to contact us in the Membership Department at 301.209.3333 or membership@aapt.org.
Member Discounts Now Available!
AAPT Members can now take advantage of major discounts at retailers such as Hertz, Office Depot/Office Max and HotelEngine.com. You save a percentage of your bill and a portion of the proceeds helps to support AAPT as well! Be sure to check the Member Discounts Program page for details.
What Do You Want Your Legacy to Be?
Teachers make a difference. Given the chance, most of us would like to leave a legacy to organizations we valued in our lifetime. You help shape the future. AAPT can help you determine what you want your legacy to be-to your family, to your fellow teachers, and to tomorrow's future teachers. Planned Giving creates opportunities for you to make a lasting difference to physics education and AAPT. Consider including AAPT in your estate and financial plans. Click here for more information or contact eo@aapt.org
New AAPT Member Benefit: Up to 25 Free Downloads of AIP Journals Every Year
AAPT has partnered with AIP Publishing on a valuable new benefit. AAPT members now have access to 25 free article downloads every year from any of the AIP Publishing journals
This is an exclusive AAPT member benefit. Access any one of the journals in this list, now by clicking the 'SIGN IN' link in the right hand corner, and logging in with your Scitation username and password. Access the full text of an article from the journal by going to the article page and clicking either the "PDF" download or the "FULL TEXT" menu buttons. You will then be given an option to use one of your AAPT member credits to access the article. If you do not have a Scitation username and password e-mail Scitation and let them know.
Articles you download will be saved in your Scitation profile. AAPT members receive 25 free downloads each year as long as their membership remains in good standing.
Thank you for supporting AAPT, and we hope you enjoy this new membership benefit.
Call for Award Nominations
The AAPT Awards Committee invites nominations for all of AAPT awards, citations, and medals. We are particularly interested in nominations for AAPT Fellows and for the Homer L. Dodge Citation for Distinguished Service to AAPT.
Infusing Engineering into the Science Classroom
Join other teachers seeking to integrate engineering into their science classroom with this unique professional development opportunity. Headed by AAPT/AIP Master Teacher Policy fellows Matthew Peterie and Andrew Edmondson, you will learn from experienced and skillful teachers. The cost will be $385 for individual attendee which includes your registration for the year long program and meals for the two days at Olathe Northwest. If a group of teachers from a building or district would like to attend, reduced pricing is available. After registering your team by completing the form below, subsequent correspondence will make arrangements for payment. Sign up here.
OSTP/NSF working group on Quantum Information Education
The OSTP/NSF working group on Quantum Information Education finished its report and there was a NSF press release. Read more. Also click here for full report.
Consider Nominating a Colleague for the CUR Council
Please consider nominating colleagues to serve as Council on Undergraduate Research Councilors or inviting them to nominate themselves. Information about the Fall 2020 CUR Councilor Nominations can be found online . The extended deadline for submitting nominations is December 4. Individuals interested in becoming a councilor must have a current CUR membership. This membership can either be an individual membership or as a representative on an institutional or enhanced membership. If you are a new CUR member, you will need to first establish your membership before being able to access the nomination form. If you have questions about your membership or eligibility, please contact Janae Douglas.
American Institute of Physics Gemant Award
It is the season for soliciting nominations for the Gemant Award and we would like to ask for help in identifying those that have had a lasting impact on the field through education and the arts. The Gemant Award recognizes the accomplishments of a person who has made significant contributions to the cultural, artistic, or humanistic dimension of physics and is given annually. The award is made possible by a bequest of Andrew Gemant to the American Institute of Physics. Previous winners display a diverse range of experiences but each has made a lasting impact on the perception and interpretation of the field to students and the general public.
Additional information Nominations are due January 31, 2021. We need your help in:
1. reaching out to your circles to notify people within the appropriate fields that we are accepting nominations,
2. identifying and potentially nominating people who would be appropriate for this Award,
3. reaching out directly to potential nominees or their associates so that a colleague can nominate them,
4. or provide potential names to bconrad@aip.org, who can work with the award committee to encourage a nomination package.
Nomination packages must include a cover letter and the nominee's CV. Additional letters of support or other evidence to support their nomination is helpful and can be uploaded with the required materials.
In the News
Let U.S. K-12 Educators Know: Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Application is live!
The Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program is a yearlong professional learning opportunity and short-term exchange for elementary, middle, and high school educators from the United States to develop skills to prepare students for a competitive global economy. Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms equips educators to bring an international perspective to their schools through targeted training, experience abroad, and global collaboration.
The Living Physics Portal is now seeking beta users!
The Living Physics Portal is a new online environment for physics faculty to share and discuss free curricular resources for teaching introductory physics for life sciences (IPLS). The objective of the Portal is to improve the education of the next generation of medical professionals and biologists by making physics classes more relevant for life sciences students. We are currently looking for beta users to contribute curricular materials to this early version of the site, browse our existing collection of high quality materials from our team, and give us feedback on the site. To learn more about what's available in the beta version of the site, and what will be available in the future, see what's available and what's coming and become a beta tester. To get involved in our upcoming in-person events, see our events page.
JavaScript Physlet Physics Now Available
The new JavaScript edition of Physlet Physics is now available from the Open Source Physics ComPADRE Collection. The original functionality and interactivity of Physlets is maintained and all 800+ Illustrations, Explorations, and Problems are mobile friendly and ready-to-use by students without installing any additional plug-in. Try them out on AAPT-ComPADRE at: www.compadre.org/physlets/
Career Toolbox for Undergraduates
The Careers Toolbox for Undergraduate Physics Students is a set of tools and exercises designed to help undergraduate physics students prepare to enter the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics workforce. Tools range from exploring the common job titles of physics bachelor's to preparing for interviews, and are all geared specifically for physics students. This resource is brought to you by the American Institute of Physics and the Society of Physics Students. The 4th Edition is now ready for use.
Help students find the right grad program. Tell them about GradSchoolShopper.com
Advise your students to check out GradSchoolShopper.com, the most complete directory of graduate programs in the physical sciences. Students headed for graduate school can use this FREE service to search by degree programs, admission deadlines, research specialties, faculty profiles, GRE requirements, and more! New 2020 departmental data is now available. If your program isn't listed, contact us to find out how to have it included.
Physics Careers
Recruit STEM Interns from the Best Job Sites for FREE!
The AAPT Career Center offers no-cost postings to employers recruiting seasonal interns. Locate the best fit for your organization by reaching the future of the science community - the AAPT membership, as well as the members and student members of the American Physical Society (APS Physics), AVS Science and Technology, and the Society of Physics Students and Sigma Pi Sigma.
Get the word out! Your posting will also appear on the Physics Today Jobs site, which when combined with the job sites of the organizations mentioned above forms the ultimate online science, engineering, and computing career network, ensuring maximum relevant visibility for your internship. Visit https://jobs.aapt.org/employers/ to get posting!
Jobs Announcements from the Career Center
2021 AAPM DREAM Fellowship
American Association of Physicists in Medicine
Click here for job description.
2021 AAPM Summer Undergraduate Fellowship
American Association of Physicists in Medicine
Click here for job description.
More Physics Resources
Social Media @ AAPT
AAPT wants to connect with you on social media! Stay abreast of the latest AAPT and physics-related news. We invite you to like us, follow us, connect with us, and pin us. You can find us here:
Section News
Please submit your Section Report for the AAPT Section News. To list your section meeting in the AAPT Calendar of Events, e-mail the information to mhall@aapt.org.
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Thanks for your readership and your support of AAPT.
© 2021, American Association of Physics Teachers
Table of Contents
Featured Journal Articles
American Journal of Physics
An optical n-body gravitational lens analogy
Read online
The Physics Teacher
Decoration to Demonstration: A New Point Source for 3D Ray Tracing
Read online
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Physics Store Features
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2021 Photo Contest Calendar
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