SPRING 2 0 2 0 RadiationsThe official publication of Sigma Pi Sigma Reflecting on the past, preparing for the future • The Context of Scientific Progress: World War I and the Theory of General Relativity • Sharing the Spotlight: Resources for Correcting the Narrative of Physics History Contents 5 Your Dollars At Work 5 . The Next 100 Years of Physics and Astronomy 8 . Fall 2019 Chapter Awards 7 Chapter Profiles 7 . Cultivating Service in the Name of Physics page 12 10 . A Growing “Physics Phamily” 12 Unifying Fields 12 . Sigma Pi Sigma – A Departmental Legacy of Fellowship (Part 2) 14 Features 14 . Six of the 2010s’ Most Important Physics Developments page 14 16 . The Man Who Helped Unlock Our Past Looks to the Future 18 . The Context of Scientific Progress 20 . Physics: A Rapidly Evolving Field 22 . Sharing the Spotlight 23 Elegant Connections in Physics 23 . Discoveries, Unintended Consequences, and the Values of Science page 23 26 Spotlight on Hidden Physicists 26 . Emily Conover, The Science Journalist 27 . Erin Brady, The Curator ON THE COVER In honor of this issue reflecting on the past of Sigma Pi Sigma, the cover features the Departments cover of the very first issue of The Radiations 4 . Letter from the Congress Chair of Sigma Pi Sigma published in 1930 . 11 . Member Notes Image courtesy of AIP . 28 . 2019 Contributors to Sigma Pi Sigma Spring 2020 Radiations 3 Radiations Letter from Congress Chair spring 2020 Reflecting on the 2010s and Volume 26, Issue 1 Absorbing Wisdom for the 2020s by Samantha Pedek, Physicist, 2021 Sigma Pi Sigma Congress Co-Chair, EDITOR 2017 SPS Intern Kendra Redmond MANAGING EDITOR elcome to the 2020 Spring edition of Althea Gaffney Radiations! Since the theme of this issue is CONTRIBUTING EDITORS W“Reflecting on the past, preparing for the Brad R. Conrad future,” I thought this would be a great opportunity to Kayla Stephens think back on the past 10 years. For many of us in the Korena Di Roma Howley United States, the start of the 2010s was defined by a devastating recession. It took most of the decade to fight COPY EDITOR our way out of that recession, and it would be a shame not Cynthia Freeman to acknowledge that struggle. Yet the past decade was ART DIRECTOR also one of innovation and creativity. The 2010s brought Aaron Hansen the iPad, rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft, money transferring apps like Venmo, smart home assistants Layout Designer Hyun-Joo Kim and smart watches, and social media platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat. The 2010s also produced Samantha Pedek SIGMA PI SIGMA PRESIDENT a plethora of pop culture references through television Image courtesy of SPS Jim Borgardt, shows like Glee, Game of Thrones, and Orange is the Juniata College New Black; a rebooting of the Star Wars franchise; the SPS PRESIDENT end of the Harry Potter saga; and an ending to the Avengers that ripped our hearts out. Life Alina Gearba-Sell, today has been drastically influenced by the past 10 years; even the way we communicate US Air Force Academy has adapted to include memes and emojis. SIGMA PI SIGMA/SPS DIRECTOR The scientific community also experienced a decade of great prosperity and adaptation. Brad R. Conrad Some of the most notable scientific developments were the detection of the Higgs boson and gravitational waves, the observation of cosmic neutrinos, the Curiosity rover’s exploration of Mars (I recently learned that Curiosity sings “Happy Birthday” to itself, which is amazing), the Hubble eXtreme Deep Field image, and, most recently, the very first image of a black hole. The scientific achievements of the last decade reflect the work of large, mostly international collaborations that include dozens of institutions, or more. This is reflected in the dawning of a new era of astronomy—multimessenger astronomy. Observations of the same event in electromagnetic waves, gravitational waves, and neutrinos can lead to a better understanding of the universe and require the cooperation of many people from all over the globe. This spirit of Radiations (ISSN 2160-1119) is the official collaboration is what makes the scientific community successful. publication of Sigma Pi Sigma, the physics As we begin a new decade, let us not only reflect on where we are today but also set honor society, published twice per year goals and expectations for the next 10 years. Sigma Pi Sigma is approaching its centennial by the American Institute of Physics, One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740-3841. anniversary. Because of this, I encourage you to reflect on what it means to be a Sigma Pi Sigma Printed in the USA. Standard postage paid at member. My challenge to you is to be an advocate of science. As we face a climate crisis and a Columbus, OH. POSTMASTER: Send address general public that is losing trust in science, it is our responsibility, as Sigma Pi Sigma members, changes to: Radiations Magazine, Sigma Pi Sigma, to bring our experiences and expertise into the conversation. Take the time, and the patience, to 1 Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740-3841. share your passion for physics with people not affiliated with the scientific community. It is easy to get so wrapped up in our lives, our studies, and our research that we forget how important it Sigma Pi Sigma is an organization of the American Institute of Physics. It was founded at is to reach out to nonscientists in a meaningful way. Davidson College, Davidson, NC, December 11, Thank you, and enjoy this issue of Radiations. n 1921. Member, Association of College Honor Societies. Contact us at [email protected]; telephone: (301) 209-3007; fax: (301) 209-3082. Copyright © 2020, American Institute of Physics.4 Radiations Title registered Spring in the 2020 US Patent Office. All rights reserved. Your Dollars At Work The Next 100 Years of Physics and Astronomy: The American Institute of Physics is a federation of scientific societies in the Supporting Sigma Pi Sigma and the Society of Physics Students physical sciences, representing scientists, by Director B. R. Conrad and the Student Leaders of SPS and Sigma Pi Sigma engineers, educators, and students. AIP offers authoritative information, services, and expertise in physics igma Pi Sigma was originally formed to help strengthen the community of physics and as- education and student programs, science tronomy students nearly 100 years ago. Despite its age, it continues to play a fundamental communication, government relations, Srole in building strong departments and growing the next generation of community leaders by career services, statistical research in directly enabling student- and faculty-led initiatives. By providing student leaders with opportunities to physics employment and education, grow both professionally and interpersonally, Sigma Pi Sigma and SPS can support these unique ini- industrial outreach, and history of the tiatives at over 800 different schools across the globe. As a cornerstone of the physics and astronomy physical sciences. AIP publishes Physics Today, the most closely followed magazine community, we aim to help students and faculty build an organization that represents who they are of the physical sciences community, and and their values. is also home to the Society of Physics Students and the Niels Bohr Library & We asked student members to share in their own words why they choose to support SPS and Sigma Archives. AIP owns AIP Publishing LLC, Pi Sigma. a scholarly publisher in the physical and related sciences. www.aip.org Member Societies Acoustical Society of America American Association of Physicists in Medicine American Association of Physics Teachers American Astronomical Society American Crystallographic Association American Meteorological Society “Supporting SPS is important because it is an “SPS is an organization for undergrads that American Physical Society organization which is actually transforming study physics and astronomy. The only AVS Science and Technology of Materials, the lives of students aspiring to become requirement to join is to have an interest in Interfaces, and Processing professionals in physics. So many important those topics, which makes this club super The Optical Society The Society of Rheology skills are not taught in the classroom, and inclusive. It can be scary for younger students SPS constantly strives to provide these who are just starting to enter the field, so being Other Member Organizations surrounded by students who are going through opportunities for students to develop the vast Sigma Pi Sigma range of research and communication skills the same experiences or have gone through Society of Physics Students essential to becoming a strong contributing them recently can be helpful and comforting in Corporate Associates member to the scientific community. Without a way. SPS provides this community of people SPS I would not have the abilities that I do who are excited about their studies and are today nor the confidence to continue the willing to share their excitement with their Connect with Sigma Pi Sigma pursuit of my goals.” peers to help them figure out how to navigate LinkedIn Brigette Smith, 2019, SPS leader at Coe physics and astronomy or even figure out if it www.linkedin.com/groups/Sigma- Pi-Sigma-physics-honor-142619 College and Associate Zone Councilor, is the right fit.” Facebook Nour Ibrihim, SPS leader at Embry-Riddle Zone 11 www.facebook.com/groups/ Aeronautical University – Prescott and 2019 sigmapisigma SPS Outreach Intern, 2021 Physics Congress Donate Planning Committee donate.aip.org Spring 2020 Radiations 5 Your Dollars At Work “SPS has connected me to physicists “As someone who went to a smaller institution “When I look back on my college experience from across the country and to a with no Sigma Pi Sigma chapter, our SPS and think about the ‘good times,’ 9/10 of national community I didn’t even group was the reason I got involved with those experiences were connected to my know existed.