eNNOUNCER September 2026
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AAPT News
2026 AAPT Board of Directors Election
The election of officers for the AAPT Board of Directors will begin in September. All members are eligible to vote. Current members with a paid through date greater than or equal to 7/31/2026 will receive instructions in mid-September through email or, if no email is on file, through the mail to help you vote electronically. Be sure your email address and membership are current so you can participate. Click here to learn more about the candidates.
Call for members of the new AAPT Digital Resources Advisory Committee
At the SM26 meeting, the AAPT Board of Directors approved a new AAPT Digital Resources Advisory Committee. This new advisory committee addresses changes in the structure and management of these resources. The resources include the ComPADRE digital library infrastructure, ComPADRE community collections, PhysPort, Living Physics, and future AAPT digital resource collections and collaborations. The charge includes developing and implementing a strategy for AAPT's Digital Resource infrastructure; supporting and promoting current resources; working with project leads on grants and foundation proposals; evaluating the current suite of resources; proposing new resources to expand the current collection; and annually reviewing existing resource collections.
The committee will consist of a chair, three AAPT members with some knowledge of AAPT's digital resources, a Board liaison, and two AAPT staff members (the CIO or their designee and the ComPADRE Web Developer). AAPT members will serve 3-year terms, which can be renewed once. The three initial AAPT members will serve staggered terms during the committee's initial constitution.
We are seeking volunteers to serve on this important committee. You must be an AAPT member to be considered. If interested, please apply by September 13, 2026, using this form. Membership criteria are linked to the form. Please forward this information to individuals who would be interested and good candidates for the committee. Questions about becoming a member of this committee can be directed to eo@aapt.org.
AJP seeks guest editors for a special issue on the physics of sports
In July 2028, Los Angeles will host the summer olympics. The American Journal of Physics will publish a special issue connecting sports to classroom teaching. We are seeking guest editors who will recruit submitters, oversee the review process, and carefully edit papers to improve their presentation. The total time commitment will be about 50 hours, with much of it concentrated in April and May 2028. Guest editors may also submit manuscripts for the special issue. Questions or expressions of interest should be sent to the AJP editor, Beth Parks, meparks@colgate.edu.
Summer Meeting 26 Highlights
Rich culture, beautiful spaces, and a welcoming atmosphere made Pasadena a standout choice for the AAPT 2026 Summer Meeting. The city is home to The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (managed for NASA by Caltech). As of 2022, Caltech's 46 Nobel Laureates have brought 47 Nobel Prizes home to Pasadena.
The Meeting was held at the Pasadena Convention Center. Located in the heart of the city, the Convention Center is within walking distance of restaurants, shops, and local attractions. With convenient access to the greater Los Angeles area, the venue offered an ideal setting for professional learning, collaboration, and connection. Read more
Winter Meeting 2027, January 9-11, 2027
Join your colleagues at the 2027 AAPT Winter Meeting in New Orleans, LA! Surround yourself with Physics Educators from around the globe and develop and strengthen professional connections. Hear from internationally known plenary speakers, attend sessions, workshops and, special activities designed with you in mind. Don't miss this opportunity to share your expertise and learn from and network with leaders in the field.
Call for Presentations:
If you're passionate about advancing physics education and have innovative teaching ideas to share, seize this opportunity to connect and collaborate at the 2027 AAPT Winter Meeting. Abstract submission will be available soon.
Submit Your Abstract for the 2027 AAPT Winter Meeting
Presentation submissions are open for the 2027 AAPT Winter Meeting, January 9-11 in New Orleans! Share your innovative teaching ideas, research, and best practices with the physics education community.
Abstract Deadline: Friday, September 4 at 5:00 PM ET
Poster Deadline: Friday, October 23 at 5:00 PM ET
Submit your presentation today!
Anonymous Reporting Tool!
AAPT has implemented an ethics and compliance hotline called "Red Flag Reporting." Red Flag Reporting is an independent company that is dedicated to protecting organizations plus their employees, assets, reputations, and in the case of AAPT, our members. This service allows people to report any concerns regarding activities at AAPT events in violation of our code of conduct. To file a report, provide client code AAPTEvent and simply do one of the following:
• Visit www.RedFlagReporting.com and click on "File a Report"
• Call 1-877-647-3335
• Text RFR to 234-231-9005
• You may also use the following (be sure to be detail oriented, provide our client code, and indicate if you wish to be anonymous or not): Fax to 330-572-8146, Email to redflag@redflagreporting.com, Mail to RFR, P.O. Box 4230, Akron, Ohio 44321
We would like everyone to take the time to watch the appropriate video(s) here: Event Attendee Training Videos.
For more information, see this information posted in COMMUNITIES. If you have questions about AAPT's policies regarding these types of matters, we encourage you to review the information contained in our Code of Conduct.
Support AAPT and Join the 1930 Society!
Your support goes above and beyond member dues, and we are so grateful to members like you who are investing in the future of physics education. That's why we decided to launch the 1930 Society. This special group of supporters, named after our founding year, honors contributions of $500 or more every year to our association so we can better serve physics educators and the physics education community.
Would you like to get involved with the 1930 Society? Donate today!
Help Support AAPT!
We are living in incredibly challenging times. AAPT has been on the forefront providing resources to help physics educators. However, we need your support to continue AAPT's programs and resources. Gifts to the AAPT Annual Fund support the short and long term goals of the Association, 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!
Organization for Physics at Two-Year Colleges
OPTYCs (The Organization for Physics at Two-Year Colleges) is continuing virtual and programming.
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!
2026 AAPT High School Physics Photo Contest
The 2026 High School Physics Photo Contest Top 100 entries were displayed and judged during the 2026 Summer Meeting in Pasadena, CA. You can find the Top 100 photos & Top Finishers here.
The Frederick and Florence Bauder Endowment
The Frederick and Florence Bauder Endowment provides grants to support special activities in the area of physics teaching. The deadline for applications to request funds is December 1, 2026.
2026 F=ma Contest
F=ma and USAPhO exam updates will be posted on the U.S. Physics Team homepage.
Nominate yourself or someone you know to participate in the Effective Practices for Physics Programs (EP3) Editorial Board!
The EP3 Editorial Board is seeking nominations for two open seats serving a 4-year term starting January 1, 2027. For more information about the EP3 Editorial board please visit the EP3 Team Page. Please share this opportunity with others! Apply Today
2nd Annual Atlanta Area PICUP Workshop on Integrating Computation into High School and Undergraduate Physics
All Georgia physics teachers are invited to participate in the 2nd Annual Atlanta Area PICUP Workshop, a day-long event to be held on Saturday, Sept. 26th from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM at Georgia State University. This PICUP workshop is intended for those who desire to energize their physics courses at all levels, and the scope is appropriate for physics teachers from high schools, 2-year colleges, and 4-year colleges and universities. Workshop details and registration information can be found here: www.compadre.org/PICUP/events/AtlantaDICE2026/
This workshop is the 2nd in a series of annually occurring PICUP workshops in the Atlanta area, and we urge you to be involved. We are working to develop a supportive community of like-minded instructors who teach computation in their physics classes, and to grow this Atlanta-based effort into a thriving, self-sustaining community that supports computation in physics into the future and beyond. Please spread the word to other faculty you may know that could benefit from this experience, and do your best to join us on Sept. 26th.
The 2026 CHESAPEAKE, CHICAGO, TWIN CITIES, and PITTSBURGH Area PICUP Workshops: Integrating Computation into High School and Undergraduate Physics
All you who dwell in these areas (and beyond, depending on your willingness to drive a little for a big gain!) are invited to participate in the inaugural Chesapeake Area, the 5th Annual Greater Chicagoland, the 4th Annual Twin Cities, and the inaugural Pittsburgh Area PICUP Workshops. Also referred to as Distributed Institutes for Computational Education in Physics (DICEs), these workshops are intended for those who desire to energize their physics courses at all levels, and the scope is appropriate for physics teachers from high schools, 2-year colleges, and 4-year colleges and universities. Registration is now open for all four events. Workshop details and registration information can be found here:
Chesapeake DICE - College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA - Sunday, October 11, 8:00am to 12:30pm. Read more
Greater Chicagoland DICE - Lewis University, Romeoville, IL - Saturday, October 17, 8:30am to 4:00pm. Read more
Twin Cities DICE - Augsburg University, Minneapolis, MN - Saturday, October 24, 8:30am to 4:00pm. Read more
Pittsburgh DICE - Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA - Saturday, November 7, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Read more
Please note that these PICUP workshops are intended to be held annually in these regions, and we urge you to be involved. We are looking to develop a working, supportive community of like-minded instructors who teach computation in their physics classes, and to grow these efforts into thriving, self-sustaining communities that support computation in physics into the future and beyond. Please spread the word to other faculty you may know that could benefit from this experience, and do your best to join us this fall.
AAPT Membership
AAPT Member Spotlight
Kelvin C. Kibler
Retired Secondary Physics and Engineering Teacher
Pearland, TX
Read More.
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.
K12 Corner
Contribute to a needs survey: Chip industry-related PhET Interactive Simulations activities
Are you a 6th-12th grade or introductory college physical science teacher in the U.S.? Contribute to a needs survey to advance the development of PhET Interactive Simulations activities and redesigned versions of the Conductivity and Semiconductors sims, among others. Take the Survey by September 15 Survey.
Electricity and Magnetism with PhET: Coursera Certificate (& Optional Graduate Credit)
Thanks to PhET's selection as an American Institute of Physics Meggers Project awardee, high school and intro college/university teachers of conceptual and algebra-based physics to maximize their use of PhET's electricity and magnetism sims while building effective questioning and modeling skills. Teachers can earn a no-cost certificate verifying 32 professional learning hours. Optional graduate credits are also available. Learn more HERE.
Barbara Wolff-Reichert Travel Grants
This endowment fund was established in 2023, by Jonathan F. Reichert to honor Barbara Wolff-Reichert and to encourage both new and experienced high school teachers, who have never done so, to attend and participate in national meetings of the American Association of Physics Teachers. Read more
In the News
Arizona State University Master of Natural Science Degree in Physics for Teachers
Arizona State University has an interdisciplinary Master of Natural Science (MNS) degree in physics for high school and two-year college teachers. Courses are in summer, and the degree is founded on Modeling Instruction. Teachers in 15 western states can apply for discounted tuition; the deadline is APRIL 1. Partial tuition scholarships might be available.
More details: https://physics.asu.edu/admissions/mns-admissions
For information: Jane.Jackson@asu.edu.
ASU Modeling Workshops
The American Modeling Teachers Association (AMTA) sponsors Modeling Workshops for teachers of physics and other sciences worldwide. Modeling Instruction is research-informed, model-centered professional learning that builds conceptual understanding, improves classroom discourse, and engages students in the learning process. Spring online and summer in-person and online Modeling Workshops are listed at https://www.modelinginstruction.org/pd-2/.
Find Resources for Teaching Physics for Life Sciences Students on the Living Physics Portal
The Living Physics Portal is an online environment for physics educators to find, share, and discuss free teaching materials for 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. The Portal is available for free to all verified educators.
Features available on the Portal are:
• Anyone can view and download over 200 resources in our Vetted Library.
• Registered users can also view and download over 100 resources in our Community Library, along with answer keys and other instructor supplements, and join discussions about resources.
• Registered users can contribute curricular resources and instructor resources to our Community Library and Vetted Library, including adaptations of others' resources, and join our discussions. We accept all kinds of resources at all grain sizes, from a single activity to materials for a whole course. We encourage you to start by submitting a small activity to our Community Library. Once you get the hang of that, we invite you to contribute your polished materials to our Vetted Library to be reviewed by our editors.
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://careers.aapt.org/employers/ to get posting!
Jobs Announcements from the Career Center
Tenure-Track Faculty Position in Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics
University of Notre Dame, Department of Physics and Astronomy
Click here for job description.
Assistant Professor of Physics
Amherst College- Physics & Astronomy Department
Click here for job description.
Tenure-Track Assistant Professor in Theoretical or Computational Physics
The College of the Holy Cross
Click here for job description.
Assistant Professor of Physics
Salisbury University
Click here for job description.
Section News
Please submit your Section Report for the AAPT Section News. To list your section meeting information on the AAPT website, e-mail the information to mhall@aapt.org.
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:
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© 2026, American Association of Physics Teachers
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