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Using History of Physics in Education NEWSLETTER A F o r u m o F T h e A m e r i c A n P h y s i c A l s o c i e T y • V o l u m e X • n o . 5 • F A l l 2 0 0 8 Report from the Chair: Using History of Physics in Education By David C. Cassidy, Forum Chair wenty-five years ago, in April 1983, the U.S. Depart- students and even well-educated adults still display a ment of Education published a landmark report titled disturbing lack of scientific literacy, gradual improvement T“A Nation at Risk.” The report sent shock waves rip- has resulted. One of the most important and influential fac- pling through American society, painting a bleak picture tors in this reform has been not a particular initiative but of American education and warning of dire consequences an educational approach. This approach originated most for the nation’s competitiveness. “Our concern goes well directly from one of the leading members of the commis- beyond matters such as industry and commerce,” the sion that produced “A Nation at Risk”—Gerald Holton. In report went on to say. “It also includes the intellectual, a fitting coincidence, almost exactly on the 25th anniversary moral, and spiritual strengths of our people which knit of this report, Holton received the 2008 Abraham Pais Prize together the very fabric of our society.” for the History of Physics during the April 2008 APS meet- Many of the report’s assessments and warnings remain ing. As noted in the citation, “His writing, lecturing, and valid and are not limited to the United States. They leadership of major educational projects introduced history spawned a number of education reform efforts, especially of physics to a mass audience.” in science, that continue to this day. Although American We are delighted to be able to publish in this newslet- ter Holton’s elegant and insightful Pais Prize address, “Of What Use is the History of Science?” (see p. 5). Without giving too much away, I would like to underscore what has been a hallmark of his reform approach, as presented in this address. He argues that one of the most important uses of the history of physics is in physics education, by provid- ing students with a unifying perspective on the discipline and a sense of the grand adventure—the human drama of Continued on page 2 INS I DE TH I S ISSUE General Forum Affairs 3 Departmental Histories 4 Pais Prize Lecture 5 Annual APS Meetings Reports 8 Student Presentations 8 New Books of Note 14 General Leslie R. Groves and J. Robert Oppenheimer, leaders of the Manhattan Project (see pages 9, 14–15). Report from the Chair: Using History of Physics in Education Continued from page 1 struggle and success—that has brought Association for the Advancement of useful and accessible. us to our current understanding of Science, the National Science Founda- Our sessions at the March and nature. Without distorting or oversim- tion, and the National Academy of April APS meetings continue to draw plifying the past, history can lend an Sciences. I congratulate Gerald Holton excellent speakers (both contributed excitement and a purpose to the study warmly on this award. and invited) and large audiences, as of physics, while uniting into a mean- you will see from the meeting reports ingful whole the isolated technical I am also pleased to report a num- on pp. 8-13 of this newsletter. Please details of problem-solving, individual ber of exciting developments. For the plan to attend the 2009 March meet- principles and diverse topics. first time in Forum history, the Execu- ing (March 16–20 in Pittsburgh) or the Together with other ongoing phys- tive Committee, after careful consid- “April” meeting (May 2–5 in Denver), ics education initiatives, the historical eration and a unanimous vote, will and perhaps contribute a paper to approach pioneered by Holton for welcome an elected student among its our contributed sessions (see p. 8). half a century has proved enormously members. This is the result of changes Students are especially encouraged to influential and successful in such in our membership. According to the offer contributed papers; limited travel efforts as the famous Project Physics most recent count, the Forum has 3929 support for them is available. In this Course as well as in nearly every recent members, constituting 8.5 percent of regard, the Forum continues to solicit standards initiative in science educa- APS; of these members, 26.4 percent donations in memory of physicists to tion, such as those by the American are students. We are very pleased to be used in support of students giv- welcome students of all levels to the ing contributed papers and of invited Forum, and I would like to emphasize lecturers. For more information, please that we strongly support and encour- contact Secretary-Treasurer Thomas age a greater voice for students and Miller ([email protected]). young people in Forum affairs. In view Zimmerman and Robert Arns The Forum on History of Physics of my above remarks, we are of course ([email protected]) are continuing of the American Physical Society delighted at this student interest in the effort initiated by David Jackson publishes this Newsletter semian- the history of physics. The Executive to encourage physics departments to nually. Nonmembers who wish Committee has asked the Nominating help foster the history of physics by to receive the Newsletter should Committee (chaired by Bill Evenson) recording their histories, preserving make a donation to the Forum of to put forth student candidates for one important documents, and asking retir- $5 per year (+ $3 additional for of the two open three-year Member- ing scientists to provide a short record airmail). Each 3-year volume con- at-Large positions in the spring 2009 of their work and future plans. Copies sists of six issues. election. The Nominating Committee of these materials will be deposited at welcomes recommendations of gradu- the AIP Center for History of Physics. The articles in this issue represent ate students suited for this position. For more information, see the article the views of their authors and are It also welcomes nominations for the on p. 4 or contact either of these two not necessarily those of the Forum other Member-at-Large position, as physicists. or APS. well as for Vice Chair and for Forum Please consider nominating a Editor Councilor. Self-nominations are wel- deserving colleague for the Abraham come, too. Pais Prize and for APS fellowship Michael Riordan While student numbers have grown, through the Forum. Female candidates Institute of Particle Physics membership in two other categories is are especially welcome. Currently only University of California below desired levels: female members, 29 of the 602 fellows in the Forum are Santa Cruz, CA 95064 who represent only 9.8 percent of women. More information on either [email protected] Forum members for whom gender is distinction may be found on p. 3 of (831) 459-5687 known; and working historians and this issue and on the Forum website. philosophers of physics. Suggestions Special thanks are due Past Chair Associate Editors of ways to encourage either or both Bill Evenson for his excellent leader- Robert H. Romer are welcome. ship and smooth running of Forum Physics Department The Forum website at http://units. affairs. And a warm welcome to those Amherst College aps.org/units/fhp is a valuable source of who were elected to the Executive Amherst, MA 01002 information on members and activities. Committee (whose terms began after [email protected] George Zimmerman ([email protected]) has the April 2008 APS meeting): the new volunteered to help us realize its full Dwight E. Neuenschwander Vice Chair Daniel Kleppner (MIT); and potential. As our first Webmaster, he is Department of Physics Francis Everitt (Stanford University) working closely with APS staff on giv- Southern Nazarene University and Robert Arns (University of Ver- ing the site a needed facelift, enhancing Bethany, OK 73008 mont), both elected to three-year terms it with multimedia materials from our [email protected] as Members-at-Large. n program sessions, and making it more 2 Volume X, no. 5 • Fall 2008 • history of Physics newsletter Editor’s Corner Call for Nominations: Call for Fellowship The Abraham Pais Prize Nominations With this issue, we begin two important changes in the “History of Physics” newsletter. First, as approved The Forum on the History of Phys- The Fellowship Committee calls for by the Forum Executive Committee ics calls for the nomination of candi- the nomination of suitable candidates during its April meeting in St. Louis, dates for the 2010 Abraham Pais Prize for APS Fellow through the Forum on the newsletter will be mailed to all for the History of Physics, the purpose the History of Physics. These nomina- members in a print version once per of which is to recognize outstanding tions should be based at least in part year, generally in the fall. The spring scholarly achievements in the his- upon achievements related to the his- edition will be available only via the tory of physics. This Prize is spon- tory and philosophy of physics. The Internet and Web. The principal reason sored jointly by the American Physical Forum deadline for the receipt of all for this decision is cost. We save over Society and the American Institute of materials at APS is 15 May 2009. Pro- $6,000 per year, which can be better Physics. Awarded annually since 2005, cedures for nomination have recently spent for other Forum activities.
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