Sps-Observer-Summer-2015.Pdf

Community Grow Your SPS OPENS DOORSTOA MUCH LARGERWORLD SPS SPS Volume XLIX,Issue2 the O bserver

Summer 2015 LETTER

the SPS Observer Guest Editor SPS is Your Village Karen Williams Editor by Sean Bentley Kendra Redmond Director, Society of Physics Students and Sigma Pi Sigma Managing Editor Devin Powell While the idea of the lone scientist has long Copy Editor been popularized, odds are you won’t solve Cynthia Freeman the problems of 21st-century physics by sitting in an orchard and waiting for inspiration (in the Art Director form of an apple, perhaps) to strike. The recent Tracy Nolis-Schwab 5,000+ author paper from the CERN Collabora- SPS President tion is an extreme example of a simple truth: DJ Wagner, most scientific advances are made by teams of Grove City College researchers. SPS Director This need for a network goes far beyond Sean Bentley research. To make the most of any effort, it indeed takes a village. A strong community is often founded around a shared purpose. The thousands of undergraduates in physics and astronomy that make up the SPS community are united by the common goal of One Physics Ellipse obtaining personal and professional enrichment College Park, MD 20740 301.209.3007 (tel) that goes beyond traditional curricular training. 301.209.0839 (fax) That starts at our 750 college and university [email protected] chapters, where many strong connections are www.spsnational.org built and active programs are implemented. As a SEAN BENTLEY (and his buddy chapter advisor, I spent my first few years working Albert) pose for a photo in in isolation with my students. Find SPS on: front of the Lincoln Memorial in Then I realized how much the larger SPS orga- Washington, DC. Photo courtesy of Sean Bentley. nization had to offer. It was not until we connected to SPS at the national level that our chapter truly www.spsnational.org

Table of Contents Volume XLIX, Issue 2 Summer 2015 Feature: LETTER INTERACTIONS | SPS Chapters in Action 02 SPS is Your Village 14 MARS Truck Grow Yo u r STARS | SPS Awards and Accolades 14 Show Phyz Community 04 Spring 2014–15 Award Recipients 15 Trivia Night 17 Grow Your Community | PATHWAYS Advice from Experienced Voices 15 The Great Hovercraft Race 18 Make Your Physics Lounge 06 Starting an SPS Chapter from Scratch MEETING NOTES | SPS Reporters at Science Conferences a “Safe Place” BUILDING BLOCKS | Undergraduate Research Projects 29 Sushi and Sliding Doors @ CHEP 20 Hang Out Online With 08 How to Build a Muon Detector 30 How to Hide from the Zombie Physicists and Astronomers Apocalypse @ APS March 21 Finding [or Building] a Community IN THE ZONE | Regional SPS Highlights 31 A Lesson Learned @ APS April 22 Explore Research 10 Zone Meeting Highlights PHYSICS CONNECTIONS Opportunities with New Website | INTERACTIONS SPS Chapters in Action 24 32 Lift and Circulation Visit Washington 13 Elementary Physics 26 Come to Congress

2 Summer 2015 / The SPS Observer thrived. With programs to support outreach, Teachers (AAPT), The Optical Society (OSA), research, interactions with alumni, career train- and the American Crystallographic Association ing, inclusiveness, and more, the SPS National (ACA). We provide SPS members with funding SPS JOBS Office helps chapters to best serve their mem- to attend these meetings. Zone meetings, which http://jobs.spsnational.org bers. bring together members regionally, can receive The most prestigious and transformative financial and programmatic support from SPS experience available to SPS members is the National. (See page 10 for stories from recent internship program. Each summer it brings zone meetings.) The SPS National Council, members to our nation’s capital to work in sci- made up of student and faculty representatives ence policy, fundamental research, science from each of the 18 regional zones, meets each HIRED! history, and educational outreach. The interns year to plan the future of your society. become a community in their own right, building Every four years, SPS and its associated lifelong friendships and valuable professional honor society, Sigma Pi Sigma, hosts the largest connections. gathering of undergraduate physics students in Resume Career The SPS National Office also creates oppor- the world. With 1,200 of your peers expected at tunities for members to interact with each other the next Quadrennial Physics Congress to be and the larger scientific community. SPS orga- held in San Francisco in November 2016, you UNDERGRADUATES nizes events at national scientific meetings of will not want to miss it! (See Brittney Hauke’s other societies, including the American Physical story on page 26.) RECENT Society (APS), the American Astronomical Soci- Able to open doors to a much larger world, & GRADUATES! ety (AAS), the American Association of Physics SPS truly is your village. // Employees Search SPS Jobs for the latest summer research opportunities & TO MAKE THE MOST OF ANY EFFORT, entry-level scienceHIRED! jobs! it indeed takes a village. Get a job!!!

Part of the AIP Career Network

The SPS Observer (ISSN 2160-1305) is the maga- is also home to the Society of Physics Students and zine of the Society of Physics Students, published the Niels Bohr Library and Archives. AIP owns AIP quarterly by the American Institute of Physics. Print- Publishing LLC, a scholarly publisher in the physi- ed in the USA. Standard postage paid at Columbus, cal and related sciences. www.aip.org OH. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The AIP Member Societies: American Association of SPS Observer, One Physics Ellipse, College Park, Physicists in Medicine, American Association of MD 20740-3841. Physics Teachers, American Astronomical Society, American Crystallographic Association, American The American Institute of Physics is an organiza- Meteorological Society, American Physical Soci- tion of scientific societies in the physical sciences, ety, Acoustical Society of America, AVS–The Sci- representing scientists, engineers, and educators. ence & Technology Society, The Optical Society, AIP offers authoritative information, services, and The Society of Rheology ON THE COVER expertise in physics education and student programs, science communication, government rela- This mosaic was created from thousands Other Member Organizations: Sigma Pi Sig- tions, career services for science and engineering ma physics honor society, Society of Physics of SPS photos submitted by SPS chapters professionals, statistical research in physics em- Students, Corporate Associates in their annual chapter reports, contributed ployment and education, industrial outreach, and by SPS award recipients, and taken by SPS the history of physics and allied fields. AIP publish- staff. Created by Tracy Nolis-Schwab es Physics Today, the most influential and closely using Mosaically.com. followed magazine of the physics community, and

The SPS Observer / Summer 2015 3 STARS | SPS Awards and Accolades Spring 2014–15 Award Recipients SPS CONGRATULATES THIS YEAR’S WINNERS Thank you to the generous Sigma Pi Sigma donors whose support makes these awards possible.

2015 SPS INTERNS

SPS internships are awarded on the basis of collegiate record, potential for future success, SPS participation, and relevant experience. Interns are placed in a variety of organizations and work on research, policy, or education projects. See the THE 2015 SPS INTERNS with Dr. John Mather. interns’ profiles and blogs at: www.spsnational.org/programs/internships. Photo by Matt Payne.

CONNOR DAY Agnes Scott College PATRICK MANGAN BREAN PREFONTAINE Project: History of Women and African Ameri- Ball State University Drexel University cans in the Physical Sciences Project: AAPT/PTRA Teacher Professional Devel- Project: History of Women and African-Ameri- Host: American Institute of Physics opment Intern cans in the Physical Sciences Host: American Association of Physics Teachers Host: American Institute of Physics AMANDEEP GILL Sonoma State University VERONICA MARTINEZ-VARGAS DREW ROBERTS Project: Bringing Physics to the Public Salisbury University University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Host: American Physical Society Project: Identifying Biomolecules in Solution Project: AIP Mather Policy Intern Host: National Institute for Standards and Host: US House of Representatives Committee ELIAS KIM Technology on Science, Space, and Technology Vassar College Project: AIP Mather Policy Intern RACHEL ODESSEY MAX TORKE Host: US House of Representatives Committee Claremont Colleges Joint Science Sonoma State University on Energy and Commerce Department Project: Detecting Cosmic Microwave Back- Project: Following Eta Carinae Across Periastron ground Polarimetry SHAUNA LEFEBVRE Host: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Host: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Union College Project: SPS Science Outreach Catalyst Kit and HANNAH PELL TERESA C. TURMANIAN NIST Institute for Middle School Science Lebanon Valley College Juniata College Teachers Project: SPS Science Outreach Catalyst Kit Project: Identifying Biomolecules in Solution Host: SPS and National Institute for Standards Host: SPS Host: National Institute for Standards and Tech- and Technology nology

SPS AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH

Awards are made to individuals for outstand- AMANDA LANDCASTLE ARIEL MATALON ing research conducted as an undergradu- The College at University of Chicago ate. Recipients represent the United States Brockport: SUNY Development of a Proto- and SPS at the International Conference Point Contact Spectros- type for a Fluorescence of Physics Students and receive $500 for copy: An Undergradu- Detector Array of Single- themselves and $500 for their SPS chapters. ate Investigation into Pixel Telescopes Learn more at: www.spsnational.org/awards/ Superconductivity and outstanding-undergraduate-research. Quantum Criticality

4 Summer 2015 / The SPS Observer 2015 SPS SCHOLARSHIPS

Several awards of up to $2,000 or more are made each year to individuals showing excellence in academics, SPS participation, and additional criteria. Learn more and see photos and bios of the recipients at: www.spsnational.org/awards/scholarships.

SPS Outstanding Leadership GREGORY J. OTTINO SPS/AAPT Mary Beth Monroe University of New Mexico Scholarship Memorial Scholarship BRADLEY DICE CHRISTOPHER PHENICIE JONATHAN VAN SCHENCK William Jewell College University of Minnesota Twin Cities Seattle Pacific University

SPS Leadership Scholarships NATHAN PRINS Science Systems and BROOKE ADAMS Towson University Applications, Inc. Academic Florida Institute of Technology Scholarship STEPHANIE SCHNEIDER HELEN MESKHIDZE ADAM ANTHONY Susquehanna University Elon University Juniata College HALLIE STIDHAM CLAIRE BAUM High Point University Science Systems and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Applications, Inc. Underrep- PHIL TRAVIS ADITYA DHUMUNTARAO University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign resented Student Scholarship Arizona State University KAREEM WAHID University of Texas-Pan American Herbert Levy Memorial CHLOE GOODITIS Goucher College Scholarship AWIS Kirsten R. Lorentzen SAMANTHA CHRISTINE COBB William Jewell College Award P. EVAN LINN CLAIRE M. WEAVER Grove City College Hofstra University Future Teacher Scholarship ANGELA LUDVIGSEN KAYDEE STRATFORD University of Wisconsin-River Falls Utah State University THANK YOU CHRIS MARBLE Peggy Dixon Two-Year Thank you to the members of the Tarleton State University Scholarship 2014–15 SPS awards committees CODY BIBLER ARIEL MATALON for dedicating many thoughtful hours Chemeketa Community College University of Chicago to the award selection process.

Dave Dunlap, University of New Mexico Brooke Haag, American River College, CA Diane Jacobs, Eastern Michigan University BLAKE LILLY PRIZE Dwight (Ed) Neuenschwander, Southern Nazarene University, OK Willie Rockward, Morehouse College, GA DJ Wagner, Grove City College, PA Several awards of the three-volume set The Feynman Lectures on Physics are given each year to chapters or individuals that engage in physics outreach activities and share feed- back from participants. Learn more at: www.spsnational.org/awards/blake-lilly.

CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF DENVER LEARN MORE Project Leader: Christian Gunder Project Leader: Sierra Ashley For more information on SPS awards, Faculty Advisor: Kiril Streletzky Faculty Advisor: Mark Siemens recipients, and future deadlines, visit www.spsnational.org/awards. PURDUE UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND Project Leader: Patrick Kelley Project Leader: Katharine Domitrovich Faculty Advisor: Rachel Lang Faculty Advisor: Con Beausang

THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE, KNOXVILLE Project Leader: Srividya Murthy Project Leader: Louis Varriano Faculty Advisor: Gary White Faculty Advisor: Jon Levin

The SPS Observer / Summer 2015 5 PATHWAYS | Advice from Experienced Voices

EMBRACE A BIG TENT PHILOSO- Starting an SPS 02 PHY. In many departments, there are not enough physics majors around to imagine doing any kind of group activity, so it Chapter from Scratch is important to open the doors wide at the beginning. Advertising that “Science Club” will TOP TEN TIPS FOR BUILDING A STRONG CHAPTER have its first meeting next Friday to discuss bringing in an expert on medical imaging is likely to draw in more people and generate by Gary D. White Editor, The Physics Teacher more interest than inviting the physics majors Adjunct Professor of Physics, George Washington University in Washington, DC to talk about bringing in a PET scan physicist, SPS Director, 2001–2012 especially if you invite all the first-year physics classes. We started with “Science Club” events, which proved to be much more inclusive, and eventually we segmented ourselves into a chemistry club and an SPS chapter that still met jointly for certain activities. In any case, it took several semesters to build up enough interest in physics-exclusive events to risk promoting them without the “Big Tent” philosophy.

PLAN FOR THE LONG TERM. 03 While it is important to have something in the near term to look forward to, my sense is that most chapters need to be looking forward to something big out there on the far horizon too. Attending the Sigma Pi Sigma Congress (November 2016, in Califor- nia’s Silicon Valley) is an excellent example of a long-term goal that can help inspire your chapter and generate excitement; other phys- hosts a 1999 outreach event in THE NORTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY SPS CHAPTER ics association meetings can serve the same Natchitoches, LA. Photo courtesy of Gary White. purpose, as can local science events.

START A TRADITION OR TWO. How do you go from an inactive SPS chapter to a vibrant community of physics students that can play a key role in the evolution of your department? Having faced this 04One of the easiest ways to main- question twice at two very different institutions, and having watched others succeed, tain community in your physics department I have some ideas. In fact, my own experiences have led me to draw a few conclu- is to develop some local physics traditions sions about some things that work. David Letterman’s recent departure from The that everyone appreciates. “We always have Late Show has got me in a Top Ten List mode. So, here’s the short list, followed by a liquid nitrogen demonstration at our annual some elaboration: physics BBQ . . .” is the kind of statement that can inspire people to action without a lot FIND OUT WHAT PEOPLE WANT. of pleading and cajoling. Traditions bring a 01 At the departmental meet-and-greet at the beginning of the semester, we made sense of identity that can extend far beyond a poster that included a variety of items arranged in a grid (movie night, GRE prep session, the campus walls proper, helping to draw in career workshop, science outreach at a local school, grad student panel discussion, road alumni and prospective students in a way that trip to science museum, astronomy night, liquid nitrogen ice cream welcome party, etc.). few other things can. We asked the students in attendance to cast votes for their three favorite items. The officers and departmental leadership were then able to use the votes to prioritize what to plan for the GET INVOLVED year. Letting everyone know that the activities were based on the preferences of the students 05 WITH SCIENCE OUTREACH. resulted in better ownership of the activities. Everywhere I have taught, I have found that

6 Summer 2015 / The SPS Observer SPS MEMBERS FROM THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (Sri Murthy and Zoe Pierce) guide outreach activities at Life Pieces to Masterpieces in Washington, DC. Photos courtesy of Gary White.

one of the best activities for bringing people together around physics is science outreach. Few people, physicists least of all, can resist ing—whether it be the SPS sessions at ice cream and strawberries is one of ours) the allure of sharing the wonder of rainbow national meetings, the Marsh White or Blake can provide an extra dose of fun. diffraction glasses and spectra with the un- Lilly Awards, the undergraduate research initiated; exploring the weirdness of oobleck events, the scholarships and funding oppor- DON'T FORGET THE PHYSICS! with school children; or introducing rocket tunities, the numerous career resources, or 10 SPS members always appreciate science into a campus open house via roller just the presence of that mother ship www. it when the usual fare is spiced up with a skates, Diet Coke, and Mentos. Combine spsnational.org out there, hovering over us side of physics, so next time you’re planning cool stuff like that with the idea that you are all and taking care of us. There are a lot of the first SPS meeting or the physics banquet helping people learn or appreciate science, things to share with your chapter. or the tutoring orientation or the open house and usually outreach results in a win-win-win display table or the training for the science situation for the department, the presenters EIGHT LETTERS: ROAD TRIP! fair judges, consider adding physics to the and the audience, with the biggest winners 08There are few ways to build mix, and invite your chapter members to being the people presenting the science camaraderie better than traveling together showcase one of their favorite science dem- (because invariably, they end up learning to a fun physics event such as an SPS zone onstrations. Building community is all about the most). meeting; I recommend building this into your giving everyone a chance to shine. // chapter plans once a semester. Even a short MAKE YOUR trip, say to an astronomy night or a science LEARN MORE 06INVITATIONS PERSONAL. museum, can be a blast. Sometimes it pays to take the time to send Find more tips for chapters, along with out 10 individual invitations rather than one SOCIALIZE, AND BE examples of recent chapter activities, on mass invitation to 10 people. 09 SURE TO INCLUDE FOOD. the SPS website at: www.spsnational.org/ This is probably the most obvious item on resources/chapters. LEVERAGE SPS NATIONAL. the list, but it is surely important. Pizza is the 07 Make it a point to highlight one staple everywhere I’ve been, but establish- item from SPS National at every SPS meeting your own local favorites (liquid nitrogen

The SPS Observer / Summer 2015 7 BUILDING BLOCKS | Undergraduate Research Projects

sea level. If you were to hold out your hand, How to Build a one muon will pass through it, on average, every second. Cherenkov radiation occurs when a sub- Muon Detector atomic particle shoots through a medium faster than light moves through that particu- A RING-IMAGING CHERENKOV (RICH) DETECTOR lar medium. Detect Cherenkov radiation, and you can measure the energy and angle FOR A LESS-THAN-RICH UNIVERSITY spectrum. To create Cherenkov radiation, we by Kris Pritchard needed a transparent medium with an index Class of 2016, Missouri Southern State University of refraction high enough to create Cheren- kov radiation but low enough to avoid total internal reflection, which we calculated to occur at n = 1.41. We chose magnesium fluoride as our medium. Magnesium fluoride has an index of refraction of n = 1.37, and although it is a salt, it will not dissolve in Missouri-level humidity. To spot the radiation, we chose a Sony A3000 camera. It has a removable lens and a powerful complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. In order for our design to work, the CMOS image sensor needed to be placed flush against the magnesium fluoride to eliminate errors that would be caused by Cherenkov radiation traveling through air, which has a lower index of refraction, n = 1.003. With the medium flush against the sensor, a muon should hit the magnesium fluoride, create a cone of photons emitting at Cher- KRIS PRITCHARD holds a fixture that was 3-D printed to hold the magnesium fluoride enkov angle θ, and hit the CMOS detector radiator. Photo by Curtis Almeter. creating an ellipse or “ring” of light. If a gap of air is left in between the detector and medium, then we would end up with an ad- A ring-imaging Cherenkov detector available for other universities that, like us, ditional angle φ added to θ because of the (RICH) is not something you’d find in wanted to study the muon energy flux. index of refraction of air. This effect would most universities. Designed to identify To do this, we would need a camera, a most likely lead to the photon ring missing subatomic particles, it’s an expensive data acquisition system, a transparent me- the detector all together. Another problem piece of equipment. So what do you do dium with an appropriate index of refraction, that could arise is if the magnesium fluo- when you want a RICH detector in a less- and a lot of math. ride has a slight angle with respect to the than-RICH university? You have to think The muons we hoped to spot raining CMOS. In this case, a possible outcome outside the box. down upon our creation start as cosmic could be that our ellipse would be elon- The story of our detector starts during rays, high-energy particles that arrive from gated or of a different shape than expected. my sophomore year, when particle physi- outside our planet’s atmosphere. When Thus, our goal was to capture the ring of cist David McKee joined my university’s cosmic rays encounter the atmosphere, photons at an angle θ solely dependent teaching staff. When I was a junior, I had they produce secondary particles, including upon a muon’s energy and angle, as well to design my own research project for an muons, which constantly strike Earth from as the index of refraction determined by the advanced lab. Shemaiah Khopang, who all different directions at nearly the speed of magnesium fluoride. had been my lab partner since our fresh- light. A muon (µ) is an unstable subatomic The layout of the Sony A3000 is such man year, teamed up with me and we particle with a mean half-life of approxi- that the CMOS image sensor is located chose to work under Dr. McKee to make a mately 2.2 µs. deep within the camera base. The only way RICH detector. We decided to use commer- What is really cool about muons is that to get the CMOS flush with the magnesium cial off-the-shelf products. Our goal was to they are one of only a few secondary par- fluoride was to completely disassemble come up with a design that could be made ticles from cosmic rays that actually reach the camera, modify it, and reassemble it.

8 Summer 2015 / The SPS Observer WITH ONLY TWO WEEKS LEFT TO OBTAIN Being able to hang out and spend one-on- one time with grad students and ask them THE “CHERENKOV IMAGES” ... IT WAS for advice will prove most helpful moving forward in my education, I am sure (see the time to ask for more help. article on p. 31 for more). Moving forward, we plan to work on im- provements to our design and gather more data. We will extract the angle of incidence, judged by the shape of the photon ring. We Seems simple enough, right? Wrong! Once Eventually we got the camera built and will work out the Cherenkov angle, judged we got the camera taken apart and the mag- functioning properly! by the size of the ring. Eventually, we will be nesium fluoride installed, we had to put the Taking pictures of Cherenkov radiation able to analyze the muon energy flux. device back together, which was difficult. is a bit different than snapping shots of your We will then compare our data to that of Because of the thickness of the magnesium child playing in a soccer game. To capture large facilities. One of our future goals for fluoride, about 5 mm, we would need longer the image, we needed complete darkness. this equipment is to transition this project screws. Not that big of a problem, you might We obtained this darkness by wrapping the into tomography by attempting to view cave think. But the screws needed to be 1.6 mm camera about six times in black felt, turning hollows. in diameter. That was a problem. Appar- off the lights, and sticking our hands inside I plan to attend graduate school but am ently this particular diameter of screw is not the felt blanket to click pictures. We played currently unsure as to which subfield I will readily available in the United States, or around with exposure times and videos. end up studying. I originally wanted to do anywhere else as far as we could tell. Eventually we decided to stick with a theoretical astrophysics to find out what the Luckily, Shamrock Bolt and Screw, a 10-second exposure time. After 30 minutes universe is made of and possibly help future local hardware store, was able to get what of taking snapshots at these exposures and generations find a way to travel through were apparently the last 39 1.7-mm screws analyzing the images, we found exactly one space. I’ve thought about doing particle as- in the United States. Thank goodness they photon ring. trophysics research that will further educate worked for our application, even though We were ecstatic! Our one photon ring humanity about the particles that meet our they were oversized in diameter by 0.1 mm. was all we had to bring to APS, but let me atmosphere and the roles these particles As we struggled with this technical chal- tell you, that felt way better than no photon play in our universe. I’ve considered nuclear lenge, we had a deadline fast approaching. rings. The presentation went really well. physics to come up with some new clean I was to present our research at the 2015 Just attending my first APS conference was energy that will help cut down on carbon April Meeting of the American Physical an out-of-this-world experience. I learned so dioxide emissions. And I’ve thought about Society. But we had nothing to show, just a many things in that weekend that can’t be being a geophysicist to try to come up with seemingly failed engineering attempt. taught at school. an economical solution to replenishing our With only two weeks left to obtain the I recommend conferences such as this groundwater. “Cherenkov images” that I had applied to one to any undergraduates planning on I just hope that, whichever direction I present, it was time to ask for more help. attending graduate school. The lectures choose, one day I can do something to help Physics major Chase Garrett had expressed were educational, but the real education and further the knowledge of mankind. This interest in our project and decided to join was given to us by SPS sessions arranged project was a great first step in that direc- our team. We worked in-between classes, just for undergrads. Advice was given to us tion. // late into the night, and even on weekends. about graduate school and career choices. GET MONEY FOR CHAPTER RESEARCH SPS chapters are eligible for up to $2,000 in funding for research projects through the SPS Chapter Research Award (formerly the Sigma Pi Sigma Undergraduate Research Award). Applications are due November 15 each year.

For details see www.spsnational.org/ awards/chapter-research. A PHOTO OF THE DISASSEMBLED CAMERA and the chip that was installed in it (left), and an image of a photon ring (right). Photos courtesy of Kris Pritchard.

The SPS Observer / Summer 2015 9 IN THE ZONE | Regional SPS Highlights Zone Meeting Highlights Zone 18

by William Tokumaru, Anastasia Bizyaeva, and Manuel Silva, Class of 2016, University of California, Berkeley

EVENTS INCLUDED poster presentations, such as the one at left from Doris Lee (photo by Cee Gould), as well as a tour of UC Berkeley (photos by Joe Costello).

Source Facility at the Lawrence shop the students explored the physics professor and dean of Our zone 18 SPS meeting Berkeley National Lab (LBNL). possibilities a physics degree undergraduate studies Dr. Bob brought together students from On Saturday morning the main opens up beyond academia. Jacobsen gave an inspiring talk all over California. We met events of the meeting kicked off The day concluded with presen- that encouraged students to at the University of California, with an introduction and over- tations from two special guest explore their interests and get Berkeley, where the fun began view of how SPS operates at a speakers. Dr. Natalie Roe, involved with research. He em- on a Friday afternoon with a national level. A campus tour, head of the physics division phasized that you do not need tour of one of the brightest a student poster session, and at LBNL, shared her journey to know what you are going to synchrotron light sources in a physics careers workshop as a physicist working in a na- do for the rest of your life to be the world, the Advanced Light followed. In the careers work- tional lab. Finally, UC Berkeley successful. // Zone 14 by Richard Krantz, Professor and Chairman, Department of Physics, Metropolitan State University of Denver in Colorado

After our SPS zone 14 meeting, investigate biomolecules. an attendee was overheard There were eight other remarking, “Geez, I thought he contributed presentations was a graduate student!” He by faculty and students was talking about Evan Shapiro, representing six other an undergraduate researcher institutions in Colorado. Dr. and president of the SPS chap- Wendy Adams, faculty member ter at the University of Colorado from the University of Northern Denver, who gave a talk at the Colorado, gave a mini physics meeting. Kudos to Evan for rep- education research (PER) work- AUDIENCE MEMBERS listened to shop. “People find it easier to resenting his department and a variety of talks including one by Wendy Adams and another by learn about topics that interest research group so well! Evan Shapiro. Photos courtesy of Richard Krantz. Our spring meeting was held them,” she said. “Recent neuro- in collaboration with the Colo- science research has demon- rado–Wyoming section of the strated that memory is improved physical phenomena should take For information on the joint American Association of Physics when learning about material we place in a fun, curiosity-inducing, MSUDenver/UCD SPS chapter, Teachers. The keynote speaker are curious about.” She used and thereby motivating laboratory see http://spsdenver.blogspot. was Shapiro’s advisor Dr. Doug these findings to make the case setting, with follow-up occurring com/. Shepherd, who uses light to that a student’s initial contact to later in the classroom. //

10 Summer 2015 / The SPS Observer Zone 13

by Megan Cromis, Class of 2017, Abilene Christian University in Texas

The joint meeting of the Texas sections of the American Physical Society (APS), the Ameri- can Association of Physics Teachers, and SPS zone 13 took place in March at Lee College in Baytown. This was a very special conference for the students who attended. In addition to the stellar keynote speakers and APS speaker series, SPS had its own speaker series and provided opportunities for students to present posters as well. This allowed students to gain presentation experience and enjoy presentations geared more toward undergraduates. My favorite part about the conference was the opportunity for STUDENTS ATTEND- outreach. Local elementary schools participated ING THE OUTREACH in hands-on science experiments. Making con- EVENT learned about nections with the next generation of scientists physics while playing and engineers really brought together the entire ball, messing around conference. // with rainbow diffraction glasses, and bending images on television screens using magnets. Zone 7 Photos courtesy of Megan Cromis. by Christopher Baltes, Class of 2018, Wayne State University in Detroit, MI The physics department at About 20 students attended, schoolwork and research, the Wayne State University in representing four universi- qualities that professors look Detroit had the privilege of ties. Many great presentations for in Research Experience for hosting a SPS meeting for were given by professors and Undergraduates (REU) candi- zone 7 in students. In between the pre- dates, and other topics. March. sentations, lunch and a solar Meeting other physics telescope activity acted as students and sharing our breaks during which attendees experiences made the meet- mixed, talked, and got to know ing worthwhile for us as hosts each other. An undergraduate and a day to remember. It research panel was held. The was great to hear about the panel gave great interests and experiences of advice to students students at other universities. on very important All in all, it was an awesome topics, including day for zone 7 of the Society of the act of balancing Physics Students. //

ATTENDEES MADE LIQUID-NITROGEN ICE CREAM, en- joyed talks such as Renee Ludham’s presentation about active galactic nuclei (far left), and observed the sun through telescopes. Photos by Rachael Merritt.

The SPS Observer / Summer 2015 11 IN THE ZONE | Regional SPS Highlights

Zone 6

by Kathryn Gill, Class of 2015, SPS Treasurer, Auburn University in Alabama

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDED chatting about posters, eating lunch with friends, and holding this war eagle. Photos courtesy of Kathryn Gill.

Our conference started with a In between we heard from as well as the impact this work our tandem particle accelerator talk about quantum mechan- other Auburn University profes- could have on understanding and Auburn’s Compact Toroidal ics, and ended with a talk sors, who gave talks about why the universe is primarily Hybrid experiment). // about birds. Professor Allen their research on the structure composed of matter instead of Landers of Auburn University of Earth’s magnetosphere and antimatter. Ten students also GET IN THE ZONE magnetic confinement fusion presented posters detailing spoke about work being done in Learn more about upcom- experiments. Professor Francis their research that were judged his laboratory to better under- ing zone meetings and how Robicheaux from Purdue by faculty members. stand the quantum mechanical to host one of your own at University in West Lafayette, In- The conference was very dynamics of electrons and ions www.spsnational.org/ diana, spoke about the difficulty enjoyable. Students from all when molecules fragment. In a meetings/zone-meetings. presentation from the Auburn of stably capturing antihydro- across zone 6 had the opportu- University Raptor Center, guests gen formed from antiprotons nity to learn about different as- were able to see various birds and positrons at CERN. He de- pects of physics, tour Auburn’s of prey, including one of our scribed his theoretical work and beautiful campus, and see very own War Eagles, and learn the experimental apparatuses many ongoing research proj- about their traits and habitats. used to capture the antiatoms, ects at the university (including

STUDENTS FROM ALL ACROSS ZONE 6 gathered at Auburn University for their 2015 Zone Meeting. Photo courtesy of Kathryn Gill.

12 Summer 2015 / The SPS Observer INTERACTIONS | SPS Chapters in Action Elementary Physics by Justin Ouellette Class of 2015, SPS President, Guilford College in Greensboro, NC

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS build circuits and light bulbs during an afterschool program organized by Guilford College's SPS chapter. Photos courtesy of Steven Shapiro.

With the help of an elementary school’s During another week, students had to fig- than 200 students, teachers, parents, and PTA president, our SPS chapter at Guilford ure out how to enlarge and then reduce the grandparents attended a show in our plan- College ran a three-week afterschool sci- image of an object on a screen using optical etarium and observed Jupiter and its moons, ence program this year. About five to eight benches, lenses, and other equipment we as well as galaxies, through our telescopes. chapter members came to each session, and brought to the school. When they noticed We ran a radio astronomy club in which sometimes we joined forces with the college that the image they produced was inverted, middle school students learned the funda- chemistry club, too. they got busy and figured out how to use two mentals about fast fourier transforms (FFTs) On one afternoon we gave elementary lenses to make the image upright. As another and remotely controlled our radio telescope. school students wires, batteries, bulbs, and challenge and to create some competitive We organized a 300-participant Guilford buzzers. Their first challenge was to use the fun, we drew a target on the whiteboard and County Schools Science Fair for the second materials to light a light bulb. challenged each team of students to direct year in a row and judged two elementary A third grader told me that he didn’t know light from a laser to the target via a path that school science fairs. It was a busy year at what to do. He had never done anything like included reflection off of a specified (and Guilford! // this before. I told him to try different things increasing) number of plane mirrors. So and see if he could figure it out. He was that students would develop intuition about resistant, but I encouraged him again to try. reflection, and to provide more challenge, we 'Scientists A short time later his light bulb was shin- limited the time and the number of tests they ing and he was soon on the way to lighting could do with the laser turned on. need to try multiple bulbs at once (with differing bright- Visiting this elementary school was one things,’ he said nesses!), sounding a buzzer, and becoming of many outreach activities our chapter par- a confident experimenter. He asked for an- ticipated in during the 2014–2015 academic with an infec- other battery to try an idea. "Scientists need year. Our physics department also hosted a to try things,” he said with an infectious grin. monthly observatory open house where more tious grin.

The SPS Observer / Summer 2015 13 INTERACTIONS | SPS Chapters in Action MARS Tr u c k by Colleen H. Fava Manager, Louisiana Space Grant Consortium at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge

The Mobile Astronomy Resource System (MARS), recently refurbished after a hiatus of several years, is a light commercial box truck containing computer-controlled telescopes, a digital portable planetarium, and MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC other equipment for providing astronomy peer through telescopes learning experiences to audiences at in an astronomy outreach remote sites. Operated by the Louisiana event put on by the Mobile Space Grant Consortium (LaSPACE) in part- Astronomy Resource System nership with the Louisiana State University Truck back in action was a natural fit. (MARS) truck. Photos courtesy (LSU) Gordon A. Cain Center, the Highland The truck has already been used for two of Bethany Broekhoven. Road Park Observatory, and the LSU De- outreach events this year staffed by LaS- partment of Physics and Astronomy, its main PACE and members of the LSU SPS chap- and equipment, and the LaSPACE and Cain objective is to reach people with limited or ter: a Family Science Night at Scotlandville Center team have significantly increased no access to fixed-site science centers. Middle Magnet School and the Louisiana their bench for staffing outreach events.// Since the LSU SPS chapter already Earth Day festival in downtown Baton Rouge. makes community outreach and K–12 Activities included telescope sky viewing For more information about LaSPACE, visit informal education a major part of its mis- and science demonstrations. LSU SPS stu- http://laspace.lsu.edu. To learn about the sion, partnering with them to get the MARS dents now have access to more resources Cain Center, see www.cain.lsu.edu.

Fire danced across the top of the Ru- liquid nitrogen. Balloons dunked in liquid bens’ tube as sound waves of different nitrogen flattened as the air inside them Show Phyz cooled, then came back to life, and rein- tones revealed their wave functions. by Dana Koczur A vortex cannon filled with smoke shot flated when back in the warm air. SPS Chapter President, Class of 2017, rings far across the room. SPS members This year’s Annual Physics Show at Minnesota State University Moorhead smashed fruits and flowers frozen with Minnesota State University Moorhead was a great success. Demonstrations drawn from the world of physics taught the students and adults who attended about friction, forces, light, magnetic fields, and sound. Fifteen SPS members participated in the show. They were able to gain experience presenting experiments in front of a crowd and also helped in the advertising, radio inter- views, and group activities that led up to the show. Our audience was made up of people from Kindred, Fargo, Moorhead, and other nearby cities. We sparked their imaginations and their interest in the physics that surrounds us all. // BANANAS FROZEN WITH LIQUID NITROGEN, glowing soap, and a Rubens’ tube were some of the demos on display at our physics show. Photos courtesy of Juan Cabanela.

14 Summer 2015 / The SPS Observer Trivia The Great Night Hovercraft Race by Quincy Abarr by Stevie Momaly Class of 2015, SPS Secretary, Class of 2015, Eastern Illinois University in Charleston DePauw University in Greencastle, IN

or heard of such a thing be- “What is the only genus that is also fore. The first-place winners, the name of an animal?” who traveled from one side of the gym to the other in the “What is the term for the stretch- least amount of time, re- ing of an object due to tidal forces ceived $100 and their names when it enters a black hole?” on the Hover Cup. Prizes were also offered for second If you answered “gorilla” and place, Best Design, and Most “spaghettification,” you would have Creative. After the competi- done well at the Trivia Night our SPS tion, participants and some chapter held in April. Five teams of audience members took turns students and professors showed up riding the crafts, sharing their to compete and answer questions experiences, and talking from six major categories related about how the vehicles were to science: physics, math, com- made. puter science, geology, biology, and We wanted to put on chemistry. We also had a good-sized a physics-related activity audience for this fun event, intended COMPETITORS STRUT THEIR STUFF on top of homemade hover- that many different kinds of to make physics and SPS more vis- crafts. Photos courtesy of Stevie Momaly. people could have fun par- ible on our campus. Our members ticipating in. We succeeded, wrote the questions and organized waited behind each vehicle and discussions are already the event as a fun way to make phys- “When I say ‘go,’ MAKE IT to give a push that would underway for next year’s ics and SPS more visible on campus. SO,” announced the emcee. provide thrust, while another competition, which hope- It was the first time we had done a As two teams about to race waited at the other end of the fully will include more teams trivia competition, and we hope it each other switched on their gym to stop the craft and its and even attract high school will become an annual event. In the hovercrafts, the riders on rider. students. // future we would like to add more those crafts were lifted off Four teams showed up to categories, such as psychology the gym floor by an electric our SPS chapter’s DIY ride- and find ways to get more people to leaf blower and a bouncy able hovercraft race, even compete! // castle fan. One team member though no one had ever seen

GET FUNDS FOR OUTREACH Submit your project for a Marsh W. White Award. Proposals are due November 15. Details at www.spsnational.org/awards/ marsh-white.

The SPS Observer / Summer 2015 15 Grow Your Community A WORD FROM THIS ISSUE’S GUEST EDITOR

16 Summer 2015 / The SPS Observer FEATURE | Grow Your Community

Grow Your Community A WORD FROM THIS ISSUE’S GUEST EDITOR by Karen Williams Professor of Physics, SPS Advisor, East Central University in Ada, OK

Today on Facebook I saw a homa Academy of Science, Communicating on Face- photo of Dr. Beth Cunning- and many contacts from AAPT book about cardboard cutouts ham, executive officer of meetings. of female physicists made me the American Association of The theme of this issue excited to engage others and Physics Teachers (AAPT), is the importance of building participate in an upcoming standing next to a larger- community. A strong commu- photo event. What motivates than-life cardboard cutout nity makes its members more you to expand your horizons, of Lise Meitner. It isn’t very successful and more able to to meet and share physics often you see a cardboard persevere. with others? What rewards will cutout of a famous nuclear How broad is your com- you get from expanding your physicist, is it? How often is Karen Williams. Photo by Carl munity? Do you go to scientific community? it that you see one of a fa- Rutledge. conferences? Have you at- Don’t be like Sheldon mous female physicist? How tended an SPS zone meeting Cooper from The Big Bang I wish I had a photo of me to get together with students Theory, always sitting in the next to a cardboard cutout and women who share my and professors at other univer- same spot. Boldly go forth. of my childhood hero, Marie love of teaching physics. sities in state or out of state? You might just discover uni- Curie! My physics community Have you sat down to have a verses previously unknown to People need other people also includes my department conversation over coffee with you. // like themselves in their com- chair at ECU, many of my a physics “star”? Have you left munity. As a physics profes- former students, the SPS Na- your comfort zone and gone CONNECT WITH SPS sor at East Central University tional Office, the SPS officers to one of the National Sci- Learn more about SPS, (ECU), I am the only female and councilors I served with ence Foundation’s Research its social media channels, faculty member on my floor. on the SPS Council and three Experiences for Undergradu- and online communities Fortunately, the profes- Sigma Pi Sigma Congress ates (REU) in another state or at: www.spsnational.org/ about/society-media/ sional physics organizations planning committees, the country? Have you applied for social-media. I belong to provide me with Arkansas-Oklahoma-Kansas an internship, including those a diverse community of men section of AAPT, the Okla- offered by SPS?

UPPER LEFT: PHYSICS DEMOS FOR STUDENTS ARE FUN, especially at East Central University, where Karen Williams is a professor. Photos courtesy of Karen Williams.

The SPS Observer / Summer 2015 17 Make Your Physics Lounge a STUDENTS RELAX in our comfortable lounge. Photo by “Safe Place” Kristina Kaldon. HOW TO BECOME AN ADVOCATE FOR INCLUSION by Therese Jones Class of 2009, SPS President, Pennsylvania State University in University Park

The physics lounge: a loca- deserve, jokes that describe without fear of being made tion for physics students Muslims as terrorists, and to feel uncomfortable, unwel- to gather, collaborate on insensitive comments about come, or unsafe on account homework, hang out be- the LGBTQ+ community are of biological sex, race/ethnic- tween classes, or work on all means of closing off the ity, sexual orientation, gender SPS projects. Those of us with physics lounge community. identity or expression, cultural such spaces often take them Students in the aforementioned background, age, or physical for granted; they help us meet groups often disappear from or mental ability; a place where other physics majors, discuss the lounge unnoticed or never the rules guard each person’s assignments, study for the make it in the door at all, be- self-respect and dignity and GRE, and talk about future ca- cause they were never part of strongly encourage everyone reers. In short, they provide a the “in-group” to begin with. to respect others.”1 supportive network of peers so Photo courtesy of Therese In defining the physics Creating a safe space in important for making it through Jones. lounge, therefore, we often the SPS lounge is a first step in the 3 am study sessions that miss one crucial descriptor making physics inclusive. But often characterize our under- that should be part of every how does one establish a safe graduate careers. those who need such networks lounge’s vocabulary: the “safe space? But what if not everyone the most. Crude remarks about space.” A safe space, as de- has access to such a space? women’s bodies, assertions fined by the nonprofit organiza- 1http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/ Through our language and that affirmative action prevents tion Advocates for Youth, is “a publications/607-glossary. actions, we can unintentionally white men from getting into place where anyone can relax erect barriers to access for the graduate programs they and be fully self-expressed, 18 Summer 2015 / The SPS Observer FEATURE | Grow Your Community

Q: WHAT CAN MY CHAPTER DO YOU COMPLICIT IN THE ESTAB- Q: I NOTICE A STUDENT OF that students of color are par- TO CREATE A SAFE SPACE? LISHMENT OF A VOLATILE COLOR/DISABLED STUDENT/ ticularly susceptible to facing, ENVIRONMENT. Those who are WOMAN/MEMBER OF THE especially in fields where they A: CREATE A CODE OF CON- marginalized by the in-group LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY WHO may not have a single mentor DUCT. Establish what language are often looked upon as DOES NOT HANG OUT IN THE who looks like them. Simi- and actions are not acceptable overly sensitive if they speak PHYSICS LOUNGE. WHAT larly, subjects such as police in your lounge and a means of up. Often, noticeable changes SHOULD I DO? brutality are a reality that white accountability for those who in behavior occur only once students experience primarily use said language or perform members of the in-group call A: INVITE STUDENTS WHO ARE via news and social media, but said actions. See examples out wrong behavior. NOT PART OF STUDY GROUPS students of color could face from the University of Sussex TO JOIN. If disruptive members any time they walk outside. and Glasgow University. make this difficult, form smaller Q: WHAT SHOULD I DO IF study groups. Listen to the SOMEONE THINKS I HAVE students you have invited if Q: I WANT TO DO MORE. WHAT USED OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE? they offer to tell you about their CAN I DO? CODES OF CONDUCT experience, but do not force “Code of Conduct” @ Uni- A: LEARN HOW TO APOLOGIZE. them to educate you about A: START A DIALOGUE WITH versity of Sussex LGBTQ Don’t get defensive, assert that their underrepresented group. YOUR DEPARTMENT. Consult Society: http://sussexlgbtq. your words were misconstrued, your campus diversity initiative. weebly.com/safe-space- or blame the other person. Read about racism, sexism, policy.html Try to understand the other Q: NOT USING RACIST LAN- ableism, and heterosexualism. person’s perspective. Take GUAGE MAKES SENSE. BUT For more advanced reading, “Our Values” @ Glasgow responsibility for your words WHY CAN’T I HAVE A HEALTHY see Dr. Chanda Prescod-Wein- University Lesbian, Gay, and the hurt they created. Ex- DEBATE ABOUT AFFIRMATIVE stein’s Decolonising Science Bisexual, Trans, Queer and press genuine remorse, make ACTION OR OTHER RACE- reading list. Join the Equity Plus Association: http://gulg- amends, thank the person RELATED TOPICS? & Inclusion in Physics and btqplus.com/our-values/ for calling you out, and try to Astronomy Facebook group. change your behavior. A: STUDENTS OF COLOR HAVE Ensure everyone knows about TO LIVE WITH THE REALITY conferences organized by OF THEIR SKIN TONE EVERY the National Society of Black DAY AND CANNOT DISTANCE Physicists and the National Q: I DON’T USE OFFENSIVE MAKING AMENDS THEMSELVES FROM THE Society of Hispanic Physicists, LANGUAGE. WHAT IS MY ROLE Jessica Kirkpatrick’s “I was SUBJECT OF A RACE-RELATED as well as the Conferences IN CREATING A SAFE SPACE? Wrong and I am Sorry” @ DEBATE IN THE WAY THAT for Undergraduate Women in Women in Astronomy Blog: WHITE STUDENTS CAN. In a Physics. SPS provides funds A: YOU MAY NOT USE SUCH http://womeninastronomy. debate about affirmative action, for attending those meetings. LANGUAGE, BUT BEING A blogspot.com/2015/04/i-was- students of color are forced Check whether your university // SILENT PART OF THE IN- wrong-and-i-am-sorry.html to relive experiences where does. GROUP WHEN YOUR PEERS they have been perceived as USE THOSE WORDS MAKES incompetent based on appear- ABOUT THE AUTHOR ance alone and question their presence in programs that oth- Therese is an astrophysi- ers assert they were admitted cist turned space-policy to purely based on their color. READING LISTS analyst, who is writing her This cycle perpetuates feelings PhD dissertation on the of inadequacy that persist “Suggested Reading” @ Social Justice Training Institute: regulation of commercial even in the face of successes, http://www.sjti.org/suggested_reading.html human spaceflight at the known as imposter syndrome, Chanda Prescod-Weinstein’s “Decolonising Science Reading Pardee RAND Graduate List” @ Medium: https://medium.com/@chanda/decolonising- School. She also works on science-reading-list-339fb773d51f diversity and inclusion in Derrick Clifton’s “10 Simple Ways that White People Can Step Up IMPOSTER SYNDROME the workplace issues for to Everyday Racism” @ Everyday Feminism: http://everydayfemi- the US government and is a Scicurious’ “Diversity in nism.com/2014/09/non-racist-white-person/ member of the Equity and Science Carnival: IMPOS- Inclusion in Physics and Franchesca Ramsey’s “5 Tips for Being an Ally” @ Huffington TER SYNDROME EDITION” Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/05/franchesca- @ Neurotic Psychology: Astronomy group. ramsey-video-ally_n_6275680.html http://scicurious.scientopia. Frances E. Kendall’s “How to Be an Ally If You Are a Person org/2012/04/30/diversity-in- of Privilege” @ KNOWhomo, http://knowhomo.tumblr.com/ science-carnival-imposter- post/10841967918 syndrome-edition/

The SPS Observer / Summer 2015 19 Hang Out Online with Physicists and Astronomers GOOGLE PLATFORM ENABLES INTERACTIVE SEMINAR SERIES by Will Slaton Associate Professor, SPS Chapter Advisor, University of Central Arkansas in Conway

ABBY KAVNER, a mineral physicist at the University of California, Los Angeles, was only one of many speakers to participate in our Google Hangouts series. Photo courtesy of Will Slaton.

globe via Hangout’s live audio/ video or text feature, as well as through the Twitter hashtag #GHOSeminar. Most of our presenters are Twitter users. I’ve found that scientists on Twitter are fearless when trying new technology and eager to share their science with others. Prior to each seminar we set up and advertise a G+ event page with details about the event such as the name of the speaker, the title of the talk, and any background reading or background viewing materials. Because not everyone has used the Google Hangout interface before, I work behind the scenes Does your college or univer- tions by experts from across It would not be financially fea- with the speaker to get them fa- sity’s physics department have the United States, Puerto Rico, sible for us to bring in speakers miliar with it prior to the seminar. a regular seminar series for and Australia covered a range from such a broad geographic A laptop with external speak- undergraduates? If not, do you of fields, including many outside area, so we make use of Google ers and a digital projector helps wish it did? the expertise of our institution. Hangouts. In this way we are our local audience see and hear Like many undergraduate- The series is currently supported building an online physics and clearly. Why not set up a laptop only physics departments, ours by a grant through the University astronomy community at the for your own chapter and join at the University of Central Ar- of Central Arkansas Founda- undergraduate level across us? Seminars typically last an kansas had this problem. Here’s tion, which provides $100 to our campuses with a decent Internet hour or more with plenty of time how we solved it, and how you seminar speakers for their time. connection. Speakers can for Q&A from the audience. Our can join us! How does the seminar work? interact with viewers across the Over the past academic year seminar speakers gave online talks to our undergraduates on topics ranging from high- We want you and your SPS chapter energy physics to astrophysics to engineering via live-streamed TO JOIN OUR SEMINAR SERIES! Google Hangouts. Presenta-

20 Summer 2015 / The SPS Observer FEATURE | Grow Your Community

JOIN THE CONVERSATION We want you and your SPS chapter to join our seminar series! Your voices and questions will increase the value of the seminar for other participants and the presenter. And if 20 SPS chapters or their home departments donate $100 each, we could fund 20 seminars over the course of an academic year. To be informed about future seminars: (1) follow me on Twitter (@wslaton), (2) regularly check the seminar homepage, or (3) follow “UCA SPS” on G+ and our YouTube channel. Let’s set a goal of 100 undergraduates participating in seminars by this time next year!

department and SPS chapter split astronomy fields. When students the costs of pizza, drinks, and at primarily undergraduate cookies. institutions don’t see people who Why participate? Seminar se- look like themselves in research ries are important, especially for positions, they may get the wrong undergraduates, because they impression about these fields. allow exploration of the breadth Representation matters. and depth of physics and as- If you have suggestions for Bobby Logan Hancock. tronomy before career decisions seminar speakers or topics, are made. Interested in exoplanet please share them with me. If you research or high-energy phys- would like to try a Google Hang- ics? Participate in a seminar out one-on-one before joining a with someone in that field. Got a seminar, let me know and we can question for a practicing scientist arrange a date and time. Email about their life or job? Ask! What me at [email protected]. advice would an astrophysicist Our next seminar will be by give her undergraduate self? Dr. Milton Garces of the Universi- CHECK OUT PREVIOUS SEMINARS She’ll tell the entire community. ty of Hawai’i in Kailua-Kona, who A list of our past speakers with seminar titles and links to I also believe an undergradu- will speak about infrasound on the recordings can be found on the seminar homepage, ate seminar series is important September 8th. I hope you will http://faculty.uca.edu/wvslaton/GHOSeminar.html, or on our to show the faces of the people tune in and hang out with us! // YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/user/UCASPS. who make up the physics and

Sometimes physics students a part of the group. A community feel isolated. Sometimes Finding [or Building] a of support can encourage strug- physics students are isolated. gling students and offer strength Whether due to department and rejuvenation when students size, department culture, per- experience “burnout.” sonal reasons, or other factors, Community the absence of camaraderie and Check out Society of Physics support within any major can Students Programs Manager lead to students losing motiva- Kendra Redmond’s tips on tion, dropping out, and being improving the culture of your at increased risk for depression department. They’re available and anxiety. online in the Winter 2013 issue On the flip side, a cohesive, of The SPS Observer (page 23) supportive department that fos- at www.spsnational.org/the-sps- ters community can have exactly observer/winter/2013/finding-or- the opposite effect—it can draw building-community. in new majors, as well as people who will never consider a de- The culture of your physics degree in physics but enjoy being partment is important. //

The SPS Observer / Summer 2015 21 Explore Research WREN GREGORY (middle) built the new website with the help of Opportunities Dylan Cromer (right) and Natalie Kamitsuka (left). Photo courtesy of with New Website Wren Gregory.

FIND RESOURCES AND COLLABORATIONS AS YOU BUILD YOUR RESEARCH COMMUNITY http://zone5physics.wix.com/opportunity

by Wren Gregory Zone 5 Associate Zone Councilor, Class of 2015, University of North Carolina at Asheville

Physics undergraduates know that hands-on experiences are crucial in preparing us for our futures. Those opportunities shape our passions and guide our goals as physicists. I began to wish I can remember my first taste of research as a sophomore at my small liberal arts college there was a site for in North Carolina. Working to calibrate a radio interferometer, I was absolutely thrilled to be a part of something for which the out- physics students come was unknown and my contributions helped to blaze a trail. WHERE WE COULD SEARCH FOR But it wasn’t long before I saw the limita- tions undergraduates interested in contem- EQUIPMENT AND COLLABORATIONS. porary physics research face, especially at

22 Summer 2015 / The SPS Observer FEATURE | Grow Your Community

motivated students perform students to great projects, advanced research. We are mentors, and other motivated proud to include contacts for a students who are interested in variety of resources, including the same areas. This com- North Carolina State Univer- munity creates contacts with sity’s Analytical Instrumentation potential graduate programs Facility, Clemson University’s and employers, and prepares Electron Beam Ion Trap (EBIT), us for serious research as soon and University of North Carolina as possible. Asheville’s Lookout Observa- I am lucky to know Dylan tory. We also provide links to Cromer and Natalie Kamitsuka, scholarships, awards, free two enthusiastic students who, software, and REUs. along with our zone councilor, Although we are just getting Dr. Randy Booker, have agreed started, we have big ambitions. to help me grow this database. My vision is to create a national I would like to put a call out to community of physics students any students or professors read- that tackle complicated projects ing this today. If you would like together and copublish results. to encourage the progression of This would benefit not only this student-centered avenue for savvy students, who can ac- research, we would be happy to quire a wider variety of practical have you on board! // laboratory skills, but universities as well. I hope to introduce

GET INVOLVED Contact us at http://zone5physics.wix.com/opportunity#!form__map/c24vq.

SCREENSHOTS from the Expanding Opportunity site. Images courtesy of Wren Gregory.

smaller institutions. In my case, Then I thought, “Why don’t I just I lacked the specialized equip- start one?” That lead to the cre- ment necessary for my experi- ation of Expanding Opportunity ment. My team began a search (http://zone5physics.wix.com/ for an institution that would opportunity). collaborate with us and allow As the SPS associate zone us to use their resources to councilor for the Carolinas, achieve our objective: growing I started close to home and graphene. As I emailed, called, focused on including schools and met with professors I did in my zone. The Opportunity not know, I began to wish there Database collects posts from was a site for physics students schools and private research where we could search for facilities that have volun- equipment and collaborations. teered their resources to help Hancock. Logan Bobby

The SPS Observer / Summer 2015 23 AMANDEEP GILL (third Visit Washington from right) poses with the SPS delegation on BUILDING BRIDGES TO ADVOCATE FOR SCIENCE FUNDING Capitol Hill. Photo by Courtney Lemon. by Amandeep Gill Zone 18 Associate Zone Councilor, Class of 2015, Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, CA

Walking into Representative Tom McClintock’s (R-CA, 4th District) office in Washington, DC, I was unsure how to approach the topic of science funding with the staffer we were about to meet. I had read up on the representative’s topics of interest. Science funding was not one of them.

As we chatted, Rep. Mc- soon, and therefore he generally Clintock’s legislative correspon- supports increases in NASA space dent, Brittany Madni, reiterated that exploration funding. My goal was to he is not a strong campaigner for convince her that STEM funding is science, technology, engineering, extremely important for the innova- and mathematics (STEM) fund- tions that will make the representa- AMANDEEP GILL outside the office of Bar- ing. But she added that he is a fan tive’s dream come true. bara Boxer. Photo by Courtney Lemon. of space exploration and would I had come to the nation’s like to see US astronauts on Mars capitol over spring break to par-

24 Summer 2015 / The SPS Observer FEATURE | Grow Your Community

of our own experiences with sci- increase STEM funding, I told ence research and funding. my story of struggling to find After being trained, I met research funding during and with staff from four offices in after the government shutdown my home state, California. I of 2013. I also recommended started off in Representative that he read The Martian by Mike Thompson’s office (D-CA, Andy Weir, which is about the 5th District). It was jarring when human exploration of Mars and staffer Megan Rabbitt went the scientific advances that will straight to wanting to know make that exploration possible. our “ask,” but because Rep. I came away from the experi- Thompson is a strong supporter ence with a new appreciation for of science funding, the rest of STEM on the Hill, which helps the conversation flowed easily. to build lines of communication The offices of Senator Dianne between scientists and Con- AMANDEEP GILL (left) visits the office of Barbara Boxer with fellow Feinstein (CA) and Senator Bar- gress that can be rather difficult undergraduate Simon Patané and SPS Programs Assistant Courtney bara Boxer (CA) were also quick to develop. // Lemon. Photo by Matt Payne. to express their support for

I HAD READ UP ON THE REPRESENTATIVE’S TOPICS OF INTEREST. Science funding was not one of them.

ticipate in the 19th Science, (AIP), spoke about her experi- science research and education STEM ON THE HILL Engineering, and Technology ences. We were cautioned to funding. Congressional Visits Day. Also be flexible; a congressperson To help influence Rep. Learn more about Congres- known as STEM on the Hill, the may not agree with your views, McClintock to think differently sional Visits Day - STEM on event aids communication be- and you mustn’t offend them as the next time there is a vote to the Hill at: www.setcvd.org. tween scientists and members you put pressure on them to see of Congress. Because my visit the other side. Vice president occurred during appropriation of AIP physics programs Cathy season, the time after Congress O’Riordan talked about how receives the president’s budget to present an “ask,” which is a plan and before it presents its Hill term for the quick and dirty own revised plan, it was impor- reason you are visiting a con- tant that I share stories dem- gressperson’s office. AIP had onstrating the need for federal coordinated an organization- funding in the sciences. wide ask for predictable and I thought about my own sustained STEM funding. story and how to share it during Between the training and our first day on the Hill as our our first visit the next day, my SPS group was trained. Aline colleague Simon Patané and I McNaull, a policy associate at practiced how to incorporate the American Institute of Physics AIP’s “ask” within the narratives

REACH OUT TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVE To learn more about communicating with Congress, see “Communicate with Congress,” by Richard Jones, and “A Letter to Congress,” by Eric Beier, in the Winter 2014–15 issue of The SPS Observer, www.spsnational.org/the-sps-observer/ issues/winter-2014. Hancock. Logan Bobby The SPS Observer / Summer 2015 25 Come to Congress COE COLLEGE ATTENDEES enjoy a tour of NASA's HOW TO START PREPARING FOR THE LARGEST NATIONAL Kennedy Space Center during the 2012 Quadren- GATHERING OF SPSERS nial Physics Congress. by Brittney Hauke, Class of 2017, Coe College Photo by Ken Cole. Planning Committee Member, 2016 Quadrennial Physics Congress

Physics students: THE confer- Sigma event, the conference is connections you make will take from around the country, as well ence of a lifetime is fast ap- your chance to listen to Nobel you, and we hope the experi- as a few SPS staff members. proaching. Every four years, hun- laureates, industry leaders, and ences you have at Congress We’ve been meeting since the dreds of undergraduate physics researchers giving the most fuel a strong sense of com- winter of 2014 to discuss speak- majors from all over the country exciting talks you could imagine. munity throughout not just your ers, tours, workshop ideas, and, and the world gather for 3 days Networking is abundant, not just undergraduate careers but well most importantly, the theme: of insightful workshops, spec- with students but also with local into your future in physics and “Unifying Fields: Science Driv- tacular tours, poster sessions, scientists in the area. During beyond. ing Innovation.” Currently we talks, networking, and, of course, interactive workshops and other With the 2016 Congress are focusing on marketing and fun. With the next Sigma Pi Sigma activities, you can really get to only a year and a half away, the spreading the word. Quadrennial Congress approach- know other physics students in planning committee is kicking We are proud to be welcom- ing in early November, 2016, it’s only a few short days. into high gear. This committee is ing among our plenary speakers crucial for chapters to start plan- You never know where the made up of students and faculty Jocelyn Bell Burnell, whose work ning how they will attend. Without a doubt, this event is one of the best places to build a strong sense of community, WITHOUT A DOUBT, THIS EVENT IS ONE OF THE BEST PLACES not just in your own chapter but with others as well. Boasting the highest number of undergradu- to build a strong sense of community. ates of any single SPS/Sigma Pi

26 Summer 2015 / The SPS Observer FEATURE | Grow Your Community led to the discovery of pulsars; degree. There are many ways to GRANTS CAN SUPPORT TRAVEL approached United Airlines for Nobel laureate Eric Cornell, go about getting funding for this FUNDS FOR STUDENTS TO PRES- a group rate that saved us a few known for first synthesizing Bose– trip—here are some fundrais- ENT POSTERS AT CONGRESS. thousand dollars. The group rate Einstein condensate; Persis Drell, ing tips from a faculty member also made it easy to secure pas- Director Emerita of SLAC; and S. on the planning committee, Dr. SELL STUFF. For sage for the whole group on the James Gates, a particle theorist Steve Feller, and myself: 04 example, our chap- same plane. Students were re- featured on The Elegant Uni- ter just designed t-shirts and sponsible for the cab and shuttle verse. The confirmed tour sites APPROACH MEMBERS sold them to both students and rides to and from the airport, as are the SLAC National Accel- 01 OF YOUR COLLEGE alums. well as for food not provided by erator Laboratory, NASA’s Ames ADMINISTRATION FOR MATCHING the Congress. Thus, students Research Center, and Google. FUNDS WELL IN ADVANCE. We APPROACH ALUMS paid, in total, about $500 or so Events include a breakfast with suggest starting with the college 05 FOR TRAVEL SUPPORT for their trip to the Congress, in- scientists, a poster session, an art or university president. If pos- (after clearing the idea with your cluding the $400 we asked them show/contest, and a dance party. sible do so before the fiscal year advancement office). to contribute up front. While the Congress may that includes the Congress, as seem a long way off, now is the this makes it easier to budget. In SET A REASONABLE SEEK LOCAL SPON- time to start preparing! One of other words, do this now! 06 FEE FOR STUDENTS 08 SORSHIP IN PLACES the most important things you TO PAY. In 2012, students at our STUDENTS FREQUENT. Examples can do is to start fundraising as IF YOUR SPS CHAPTER school had to chip in $400 each include restaurants, coffee early as possible. That means 02IS A RECOGNIZED OR- to attend, and we focused on shops, and technical compa- deciding how many students you GANIZATION ON CAMPUS, WRITE raising the rest. Our students nies (again, clear this with your would like to take on the trip and A PROPOSAL TO THE STUDENT saw that as a worthwhile invest- advancement office). support financially, and to what SENATE OF YOUR COLLEGE. ment. SEE IF YOUR COL- ASK RESEARCH SU- SAVE ON TRAVEL. For 09LEGE WILL ARRANGE 03PERVISORS IF THEIR 07 the last Congress, we FOR DISCOUNTED VAN RENTAL. You might approach the athletic team’s office for this. They either rent vans or they own them.

SEE WHAT THE SPS 10 NATIONAL OFFICE CAN OFFER! For example, being a chapter reporter for SPS helps cover the cost of some travel.

The Congress will take place No- vember 3–5, 2016, at the Hyatt Regency-San Francisco Airport. Keep an eye out as the event gets closer for an increased social media presence and check out the Congress website: www. sigmapisigma.org/congress/ 2016. See you in 2016! //

THE 2012 CONGRESS included NASA tours, poster sessions, an art contest, and interactive workshops. Photos by Liz Dart Caron and Ken Cole.

The SPS Observer / Summer 2015 27 “Having the opportunity 2016 Quadrennial Physics Congress to talk with the physicists November 3–5, 2016 • Silicon Valley Hosted by Sigma Pi Sigma, the physics honor society invited to give talks was amazing, but simply talking to physics students from around the country helped to open our eyes to the larger physics community.” —2012 Congress attendees from Idaho State University

Once every four years hundreds of physics students, faculty, and Sig- ma Pi Sigma alumni from all walks of life gather for the Quadrennial Physics Congress. They spend a packed weekend making new connections, interacting with scientists and distinguished speakers, de- bating common concerns for the discipline and society, and touring iconic scientific venues. Make plans now to attend the 2016 Congress in California's Silicon Valley!

Confirmed Speakers SAVE THE DATE: NOVEMBER 3–5, 2016 Jocelyn Bell Burnell Eric Cornell www.sigmapisigma.org/congress/2016 Persis Drell S. James Gates Confirmed Tour Sites SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory NASA's Ames Research Center Google Interactive Workshops... Poster Sessions... Art Contest... More details to come!

28 Summer 2015 / The SPS Observer MEETING NOTES | SPS Reporters at Science Conferences

cists to discuss new and developing issues, and strategies, and concepts in computing. The Sushi Sliding most recent session, the 21st, was held at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Tech- nology in Okinawa, Japan, in the second Doors week of April. There were talks about dozens of different experiments from all parts of the CONFRONTING CHALLENGES IN COMPUTING AT THE 2015 world, ranging from well-established projects CONFERENCE ON COMPUTING IN HIGH ENERGY AND NUCLEAR such as Super-Kamiokande in Japan (which PHYSICS (CHEP), APRIL 13–17, OKINAWA, JAPAN looks for neutrinos), to experiments that are still in their planning stages, such as those at by Robert Mina the Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research Class of 2016, University of Virginia in Charlottesville in Darmstadt, Germany. I presented a poster about software that I helped write for the NOνA experiment at Fermilab, while on either side of me were scientists from the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider in Geneva, one British and one American. Two things stood out as I listened to the presentations and viewed the posters. First, the community of particle physics is diverse in background, with people from all over the world participating in these experiments. Second, and more importantly, it is fairly homogenous in the challenges it faces and in how it approaches them. I think the message of a conference like CHEP is that we do the best science when we bring our diverse perspectives to bear on our common A WHOLE YELLOWFIN TUNA was carved at the conference banquet. Photo courtesy of Robert concerns. After all, elementary particles don’t Mina. act any differently in one country than they do in another. //

On the last night of CHEP 2015, the 500 or a visit from Ms. Okinawa to award the “Best THE CONFERENCE MASCOTS were these so conference participants and their guests Poster Presentation” prizes, and an emphatic adorable cartoon characters wearing lion head attended a banquet at one of Okinawa’s rendition of the sliding-door dance by all pres- hats. Photo courtesy of Robert Mina. beachside resort hotels. On the buffet were ent. Even if you’ve never danced it before, I diverse local favorites, like a pig roast, soba bet you’d pick it up quickly; just step to the left noodles, and several varieties of sushi. The while throwing your arms up on that side of centerpiece was a humongous yellowfin your body, then take a step to the right while

WE DO THE BEST SCIENCE WHEN WE BRING OUR DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES TO BEAR ON OUR common concerns.

tuna, which was carved before our eyes into swinging your arms across in front of you. delicious sashimi. Then back to the left, and repeat. I can’t think On tap for the evening’s entertainment of a better way to end a physics conference. were a few traditional musical numbers per- CHEP is an international meeting orga- formed with elaborately costumed dancers, nized once every 18 months to allow physi-

The SPS Observer / Summer 2015 29 MEETING NOTES | SPS Reporters at Science Conferences How to Hide from the Zombie Apocalypse AND OTHER THINGS I LEARNED AT THE 2015 AMERICAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY (APS) MARCH MEETING, MARCH 2–6, SAN ANTONIO, TX

by Justin Flaherty A TALK ON HOW TO SURVIVE A ZOMBIE Class of 2016, Cleveland State University in Ohio ATTACK was particularly entertaining. Photo courtesy of Justin Flaherty.

When my friends asked me what the APS high level of importance. trial and Applied Physics (FIAP). FIAP’s goal March Meeting was about, I jokingly re- Being a reporter was a wonderful experi- is to implement methods of outreach that ferred to it as “Comic-Con for Physicists.” ence. The press conferences were held recruit physics students to industry, instead Nearly ten thousand physicists attended. in a small room where about 10 people in of students having to reach out to industry. Having never been to a March Meeting the audience listened to speakers who had Another talk that I found really interesting before, I was amazed by the sheer num- previously given talks to closer to a hundred was as fun as it was informative. It dealt with ber of people. people. Being in such a small audience the statistical mechanics of a zombie apoca-

The safest place to hide from the zombies WOULD BE IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.

I went with fellow undergrad Janna Mino allowed me to connect on a more personal lypse, a topic outrageous in the best way and my optics professor and SPS advi- level with the speakers and helped me to possible. According to the results presented, sor, Dr. Kiril Streletzky. They both attended understand their research in a different light. a zombie outbreak is most likely to originate the meeting to present research, while I As a student working toward a career in a densely populated city. The safest place decided to go just to learn. I was given a in physics, I found a press conference on to hide from the zombies would be in the reporter award through the Society of Phys- issues related to industrial physics espe- Rocky Mountains. Unfortunately, the simula- ics Students, which meant that I had a press cially interesting. Speakers from the National tions showed that all humans would be dead badge. This badge gave me clearance to Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) within a few weeks. But hey, zombies are attend press conferences and conveyed a and APS represented the Forum on Indus- cool. The team was kind enough to make their article available for free on the arXiv website. If you want to read it, look up ID number 1503.01104. This is what I loved about the March Meeting. I was able to get a better idea of what a career in physics would entail while at the same time being entertained and informed by outrageous, yet clever applications of physics. It was a wonderful experience, and I am looking forward to attending next year. //

CARDBOARD CUTOUTS depict some of phys- NEXT UP ics’ heroes: Lise Meitner, Richard Feynman, The next APS March Meeting will be and Nicola Tesla (above).The author poses held March 14–18, 2016, in Baltimore, with Jana Mino and Kiril Streletzky in front MD. For more information, keep an eye of their poster on microgels (right). Photos on www.aps.org/meetings/meeting. courtesy of Justin Flaherty. cfm?name=MAR16. 30 Summer 2015 / The SPS Observer It was also great to attend the under- A Lesson Learned graduate poster sessions and learn about experiences students had while doing MY INVALUABLE EXPERIENCES AT THE 2015 AMERICAN PHYSICAL research—all the difficulties that arose and SOCIETY (APS) APRIL MEETING, APRIL 11–14, IN BALTIMORE, MD the creative solutions that allowed experiments to continue. Before coming to the by Kevin Vargas-Velez meeting, I thought that I would be seeing Class of 2016, University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez only projects related to fields in theoretical physics. That was not the case. As I walked through the posters, I saw results from one experiment that performed X-ray diffraction on a nanomaterial and another that involved an electrodynamic wheel. I was awestruck. I realized that I, too, could have applied and maybe presented results from the experiments I do at my university. I remembered that one of my professors, Dr. Eric Roura, had encouraged me to apply for a poster presentation. The lesson was learned. If you are not sure about something, ask. Apply to every opportunity, even if the chances are low. Taking a risk makes a positive answer possible. The APS April Meeting was a great experience. I learned a lot of theoretical physics related to topics such as quantum grav- ity, gravitational wave detection, the cosmic microwave background, and dark matter. Also, I got good advice about graduate UNDERGRADUATES at a Future of Physics Days event at the 2015 APS April Meeting. Photo cour- school and getting a job in industry. You, tesy of the American Physical Society. too, can learn a lot from these conferences. If you are wondering if you should attend one of these meetings, I tell you, “Go!” You After arriving at the APS April Meeting, I Later, at an event called “Lunch with the will not regret it. // took a seat at the back of a large confer- Grads,” other presenters gave us students ence room. I had my ID badge, my press important advice about graduate school. pass, and a cup of coffee. I was ready to They told us what to do and what not to NEXT UP be amazed. do, how to manage our time, and why it’s The next APS April Meeting will be The first plenary session did not disap- important to maintain a balance between April 16–19, 2016, in Salt Lake City, point. The presenters, collaborators on the your studies and your personal lives. I was UT. For more information watch IceCube experiment, were excited to pres- surprised when they recommended that we www.aps.org/meetings/meeting. ent their results. focus on choosing an advisor that we could cfm?name=APR16.

BECOME A REPORTER! TAKING A RISK MAKES A SPS offers travel support at a level of $200 for chapters or individual stu- positive answer possible. dents reporting on a national physics meeting for SPS. Find out more at www.spsnational.org/ awards/reporter. As I watched them, I thought about the establish a good relationship with instead help that professors, universities, and fund- of aiming for a “cool” project. As Crystal ing organizations provide to undergradu- Bailey, careers program manager at APS, ates and how important it is to support said, “It could make the difference between undergraduate research. graduating or not.” The SPS Observer / Summer 2015 31 the SPS Observer American Institute of Physics College Park 1 Physics Ellipse College Park, MD 20740-3841

Physics Connections Introductory Physics Theory Applied to Real-World Problems

Lift and Circulation

No matter how much physics you know, it’s still amazing Join Ed Neuenschwander, professor of physics at Southern to see an airplane fly. The airplane’s wings are fascinat- Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma, to discover ing to watch too—not only for what you see with your how air circulation around wings makes flight possible. eyes, but also for what you see in your mind, thanks to The full story is available online at www.spsnational.org/ physics. the-sps-observer/physics-connections.

Photo by Ed Neuenschwander.