eNNOUNCER December 2015

AAPT News

2016 AAPT Winter Meeting Service Awards

AAPT has announced that the Homer L. Dodge Citation for Distinguished Service to AAPT will be awarded to Michael Faleski, Marina Milner-Bolotin, Gay Stewart, David Weaver, and Karl Mamola during the 2016 Winter Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana.

2016 Winter Meeting Need to Know

Registration- The last day to register at the Advanced registration rate is December 10. Click here to register now.

Workshops-It is not too late to register for a workshop at the winter meeting. AAPT’s workshops provide educators with hands-on instruction to increase their understanding of physics learning and develop new ways to improve their teaching effectiveness. Click here to view a complete list of workshops being offered at WM16.

Hotel Deadlines-Please be aware that the last day to reserve a room at the Hyatt Regency Hotel (at the conference rate) is December 6. Click here to make a reservation.

#AAPTWM16 Official Tweet-up-Join your fellow Twitter users on Saturday, January 9th from 6:00-7:00 pm for AAPT's official tweet-up. This free event is open to all 2016 AAPT Winter Meeting attendees. Bugnes (a traditional sweet crisp pastry that's essential for Mardi Gras) will be provided. Tweet your thoughts, highlights, and photos from the meeting and take this opportunity to meet other attendees face-to-face. Location: Strand 4 at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans - 601 Loyola Ave. Click here to sign up.

2016 AAPT Winter Meeting Meet-up- Early Career Professionals and First Timers' Gathering (FREE) Sunday, January 10 6:00-7:00 PM at the Little Gem Saloon (5 minute walk from hotel) Click here to sign up.

2016 Winter Meeting Plenary Speakers

Dr. Benjamin D. Santer, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory - Dr. Santer is an atmospheric scientist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). His research focuses on such topics as climate model evaluation, the use of statistical methods in climate science, and identification of natural and anthropogenic “fingerprints” in observed climate records. His plenary talk is entitled Evidence for Human Effects on Global Climate.
Please click here for full bio.

Dr. Kimberly Ennico Smith, NASA’s Ames Research Center- Dr. Kimberly Ennico Smith is a research astrophysicist at NASA’s Ames Research Center. She is a Co-Investigator and Deputy Project Scientist on NASA’s New Horizons Pluto Fly-by Mission, leading the calibration activities and doing compositional mapping of Pluto and Charon with color imagery and spectroscopy. Her plenary talk is entitled First Results from the Historic 1st Fly-By Space Mission.
Please click here for full bio.

Connections Matter and could lead to a free trip to SM16

Bring the value of AAPT to your friends and colleagues and enhance your experience connecting with like-minded individuals. When you recruit a member from now through January 31, 2016, you will you will receive one referral credit toward the grand prize of a free trip to the 2016 Summer Meeting in Sacramento, California. Here are some helpful tips.

AAPT's 2015 eMentoring Webinar

Upcoming eMentoring webinar:

Monday, December 14, 8 PM Eastern
"Physics Lessons from the American Institute of Physics' Inside Science," with Laleña Lancaster, Inside Science News Content Production Specialist.

Join this webinar to learn about Inside Science and two new high school physics lessons that relate exciting and educational science videos to hands-on lessons. During this webinar, you will have an opportunity to learn about these new lessons while providing valuable feedback to one of the production specialists.

"Inside Science brings you understandable, relevant science news that you can trust in an increasingly complex world. Inside Science TV (ISTV) produces news videos that show what's new and what's happening in science, engineering, and mathematics. We decided to take two existing ISTV videos and develop lesson plans around those segments. The lesson plans contain teacher questions and student activities, and tie concepts in the videos to the Next Generation Science Standards and the Common Core State Standards for ELA & Literacy in Science and Technical Subjects. We currently have collaborations with Infobase Learning a provider of supplemental educational materials to schools and libraries, NSF's Science 360 and PBS."

Register here

New to eMentoring - Instant Mentor

Are you an early-career high school physics teacher who sometimes wishes you had "immediate" feedback from an experienced mentor, but don't need a full mentorship pairing? If so, consider seeking help through the AAPT's free Program new "Instant Mentor" option, and a registered eMentor volunteer will get back to you within 24 hours or sooner. Submit your request for an instant Mentor at ementoring.aapt.org.

AAPT Career Center offers FREE postings

The AAPT Career Center offers FREE 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 jobs.aapt.org to get started.

AAPT Programs

2016 F=ma Contest Open

AAPT and the American Institute of Physics (AIP) sponsor a competition for high school students to represent the United States at the 2016 International Physics Olympiad. 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. The selection process begins with the F-ma exam. Online registration is now open.

U.S. Physics Team Coach Call

AAPT is seeking faculty to join the staff for the 2016 U.S. Physics Team. Learn about the qualifications and how to apply by clicking here.

2016 AAPT PhysicsBowl Registration Open!

Registration is now open for the 2016 AAPT PhysicsBowl taking place March 30 - April 15, 2016. Read more.

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.

Two-Year College New Faculty Experience 2016-17 Applications Due

Applications are open for the NSF-supported Two-Year College New Faculty Training Experience for TYC physics faculty in their first five years of teaching. The application deadline is December 28, 2015 but early applications are encouraged. More information is available here.

2016 Physics and Astronomy Experienced Faculty Workshop

The next NSF-supported Physics and Astronomy Experienced Faculty Workshop will be held March 18-20, 2016 in College Park, MD. More information about applying for the workshop will be available in December 2015 on the AAPT web site.

2016 PhysTEC Conference

The 2016 PhysTEC Conference, will be held in Baltimore, MD next March 11-13. To learn more visit the conference website.

More from your Membership, Update your AAPT Profile

It is renewal season for 80% of AAPT Members. Do you have new contact information? Login at aapt.org and update your profile information to assure that you receive all of your benefits. While your are logged in your can renew your membership for the coming year. Contact your Member Services  Department at 301-209-3333, or  by e-mail at membership@aapt.org if  you need assistance, or have further questions.

Team America Rocketry Challenge

AAPT is proud to be an Educational Partner for the Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC). Sponsored by the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) and the National Association of Rocketry (NAR) in partnership with AAPT, DoD, NASA and AIA member companies, TARC is an opportunity for hands-on learning as students design, build and fly model rockets in a national contest while competing for more than $100,000 in cash and scholarships.

TARC 2016 Registration runs until December 4, 2015 and is open to teams of 3-10 students in grades 7-12. For more information or to register, go to rocketcontest.org. The National Finals will be held in the Washington, D.C. area in early May.

In the News

The L’Oréal USA For Women in Science fellowship program

L’Oréal USA awards five women postdoctoral scientists annually with grants of $60,000 each for their contributions in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields and commitment to serving as role models for younger generations. The program is the U.S. component of the L'Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Fellowships. Celebrating its twelfth year in the U.S., the For Women in Science program has awarded 60 postdoctoral women scientists nearly $3 million in grants. The application for the L’Oréal USA For Women in Science fellowship program will open on Monday, November 30, 2016 and will close on Friday, February 5, 2016.

AAPT Member and Illinois Physics Professor Named National Professor of the Year

Mats Selen, professor of physics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, has been named Outstanding Doctoral and Research Universities Professor of the Year by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Read more .

NSF and NNI Present: Generation Nano Challenge

Win the opportunity to attend and present your entry at the USA Science and Engineering Festival in Washington, D.C., April 16-17, 2016 and compete for cash prizes.

High School student and individuals submit a written entry explaining a superhero and nanotechnology-driven gear, with a 90-second video OR 1 page comic introducing the superhero and the student's nanotechnology-enabled gear. Deadline, February 2, 2016.

More questions? Get updates on Twitter #GenNano or contact the team at gennano@nsf.gov.

Inclusive Excellence: 2017 Undergraduate Science Education Grants

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute recently announced a new competition for science education grants to colleges and universities called "Inclusive Excellence: Engaging all students in science."

Scholarship Opportunity

Do you know any high school seniors looking to major in physics? Simpson College recently received a NSF grant that will provide 15 financially needy incoming students with financial assistance ($33,600 over four years), mentorship, and research opportunities as they pursue a degree in a mathematical STEM field. For this reason, we are recruiting talented high school seniors to come to Simpson as undergraduates.

For information on the Carver Bridge to STEM Success Scholarship Program visit the following website: http://simpson.edu/carver-bridge-scholars/

If you know any students who might be interested in this opportunity, we are more than happy to discuss more over email or phone. Contact Professor Aaron Santos at aaron.santos@simpson.edu or call at 515-961-1826.

ASU Modeling Workshops in physics and chemistry

The Four Modeling Workshops (June 6-24, July 5-15, 2016) for high school physics, chemistry, and physical science teachers nationwide are offered by Arizona State University in Tempe. Low-cost family housing. Pre-service and TYC teachers are welcome, too. ASU Modeling Instruction is designated as an Accomplished STEM program by Change The Equation. The American Physical Society gave it the 2014 Excellence in Physics Education Award.
Click here for more information.

The courses can lead to a Master of Natural Science (MNS) degree in physics. Teachers in 15 western states can apply for IN-STATE tuition; the deadline is APRIL 1. Read more

That Physics Show Opens at the Playroom Theater

What damage can a ping-pong ball do as it hurtles 700 miles an hour through a vacuum tube? Can you see the shape of sound in a dancing flame? "OH, NO! That bowling ball is going to smash him in the face"...but it didn't! These questions and many more will be answered when professional physics demonstrator David Maiullo brings his scientific "magic" from the world of physics to The Playroom Theater (151 West 46th Street - just east of Broadway) in That Physics Show for a limited engagement. He is recognized as a demonstrator extraordinaire and for his work in advancing the craft of physics lecture demonstrations as a member of the Apparatus Committee of the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT). Read more.

Apply or Nominate a Teacher for TNTP’s $25,000 Fishman Prize!

Applications and nominations are now open for TNTP's Fishman Prize for Superlative Classroom Practice, one of the most prestigious national awards for practicing teachers and the only one exclusively for teachers in high-poverty public schools. Four winners a year receive $25,000 each and spend a summer meeting with education leaders across the country and reflecting and writing about their teaching practices. Finalists receive $1,000 and national recognition. Start your application or nominate a teacher who’s “everything but ordinary” at www.tntp.org/fishmanprize. The final deadline is January 5, 2016.

Physics Student Wins $250,000 for his explanation of relativity

Ryan Chester, a physics student at North Royalton High School in Ohio, won $250,000 for his 7-minute film that explains Einstein’s special theory of relativity.The film and further information about the award can be found at http://wpo.st/2ZZn0

Physics Careers

Jobs Announcements from the Career Center

Assistant Professor of Physics/Astronomy – Tenure Track
Grand Rapids Community College
http://jobs.aapt.org/jobs/7653255

Physics - Tenure-Track Position
Sarah Lawrence College
http://jobs.aapt.org/jobs/7695203

More Physics Resources

Participate in Pilot Testing of Energy Assessment Instruments

As part of a US Department of Education-funded project, AAAS Project 2061 is developing multiple-choice assessment instruments to measure students’ understanding of ideas about energy. We are currently recruiting teachers and professors willing to pilot test these instruments with their students in the winter of 2015-2016.

• Students must be in 4th-12th grade or be undergraduate students.
• The test may be administered online or in paper format.
• The test should take no more than a single class period.
• Registration deadline is December 4, 2015
Read more.

Periscope: Looking into learning in best-practices physics classrooms

Periscope is a set of lessons centered on video episodes from best-practices physics classrooms. By watching and discussing authentic teaching events, instructors enrich their experience with noticing and interpreting student behavior and practice applying lessons learned about teaching to actual teaching situations.
Periscope is free to qualified educators at physport.org/periscope.

Cern Beamline for Schools Competition

CERN is famous for the Large Hadron Collider, but there’s much more to the laboratory than that. A large part of CERN’s research and development is carried out using fixed-target beamlines, which are used for a variety of experiments that range from investigating the inner workings of protons to probing the mysteries of antimatter. As part of the beam line for schools competition, CERN is making a fully equipped beamline available for a team of school students to run an experiment. Read more

The International Year of Light K-8 teacher resources

In celebration of the International Year of Light, Laser Classroom has several new resources for K-8 teachers.

First is a series of videos that walks teachers through the IYL Kit - the 4 videos total about 30 minutes and go over the kit's contents and the activities in the accompanying booklet.

Introduction
Colors and materials
Reflection
Shadows and Refraction

Second is a free, 5 week, self-paced, online professional development course via Canvas.net for formal and informal educators around teaching light and optics with kids ages 6-14. Details and registration can be found here.

Galileoscope Launches 2015 International Year of Light Programs

The Galileoscope program for the 2015 International Year of Light (IYL) is now in full swing, with new inventory available for delivery worldwide, and thousands of K-12 teachers and students in the United States poised to receive free telescope kits thanks to a generous donation to support science education. Created for the 2009 International Year of Astronomy (IYA), the Galileoscope solved a long-standing problem: the lack of a high-quality, low-cost telescope kit suitable for both optics education and celestial observation. Order your Galileoscope at www.galileoscope.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:

Section News

To list your section meeting in the AAPT Calendar of Events, e-mail the information to mgardner@aapt.org. See the July 2015 Section News.

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© 2015, American Association of Physics Teachers