SPS News
- SPS Internships
- SPS Council Nominations
- Laserfest
- JURP
SPS Internship Applications due Feb. 1
Nobel Laureate supports new Congressional Internships for undergraduates
The John and Jane Mather Foundation for Science and the Arts and the American Institute of Physics (AIP) recently announced the creation of the Mather Policy Intern Program, an endowed program that will send two undergraduate physics majors to Washington each summer where they will spend their break working in Congress or in other government offices where policy is formulated. The aim of the program is to promote awareness of policy process among young scientists by directly engaging them in the work that goes on in the federal government.
The program will be administered through the Society of Physics Students (SPS). Applications for the Mather Policy Internships and other SPS Internships are due February 1.
Mather Press Release | Internship Details | 2010 Application | 2010 Positions
Call for Nominations for 2010 SPS Council
 In spring 2010 the Society of Physics Students will elect new Zone Councilors from Zones 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13 and 17; and new Associate Zone Councilors from all 18 Zones. In addition, the position of Sigma Pi Sigma President will be on the ballot. Consider nominating your most capable SPS members for Associate Zone Councilors and colleagues who serve as SPS advisors for Zone Councilor or President of Sigma Pi Sigma...you may even nominate yourself!
2010 Council Nominations | Meet the current Council
Exciting the Imagination: Laserfest 2010
 Laserfest is a yearlong celebration of the 50th anniversary of the laser, which was first demonstrated in 1960. From DVD players to eye surgery, the laser is one of the greatest inventions of the 20th century—one that has revolutionized the way we live. Events around the world will showcase how the laser works, the history of the laser and its impact on society, and the laser's potential for the future. In conjunction with Laserfest, SPS has chosen " Exciting the Imagination" as it's 2010 theme.
SPS 2010: Exciting the Imagination | Laserfest Website | Laserfest Events
Two New Papers Published in JURP:
The High Road/Low Road Demonstration, or Birds on a Wire
By Jacob Cady and Chad A. Middleton, Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, Mesa State College, Grand Junction, CO
General Search for Stars with Rapid Optical Variations: Test Fields
By E. Fagg, J. Park, K. Pearson, and R. Kehoe, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX
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• Einstein Fellows visit SPS national office at American Center for Physcis
• 2009 SPS Leadership Scholarships
• 2009 Outstanding Student Awards for Undergraduate Research
• 2009 Fellowships in Physics & Society Awarded
• Science Day brings local children to Elon University
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 Karen Williams receives Worth Seagondollar Award
Dr. Karen Williams, professor of physics at East Central University, has been awarded The Worth Seagondollar Service Award in recognition of her extraordinary level of service and commitment to Sigma Pi Sigma and SPS. It recognizes her “service as a chapter adviser, zone councilor and president of the SPS, overseeing a great expansion of the role of president and the precedent-setting 2004 Sigma Pi Sigma Congress.”
Full story | About SPS & Sigma Pi Sigma |
• Fun with physics: Union College students inspire local youngsters
• Dr. Samuel Lofland named 2008 Outstanding Chapter Advisor
• 2008 Outstanding Chapters
• SPS Reporters cover all angles of Sigma Pi Sigma Congress
• 2009 Marsh White Outreach Awards Announced
• 2009 Undergraduate Research Awards Announced
• Chapter Project Reports from 2008 Undergraduate Research Award Recipients
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To the Moon and back with the SPS interns
 From mapping the hydrogen content on the surface of the Moon to developing laser-themed science kits for middle-school students, the SPS summer interns have been busy! SPS recently hosted the eighth annual SPS Intern Presentations at the American Center for Physics, College Park, MD. A diverse audience of mentors, colleagues, family, and friends came to hear the 12 energetic interns formally present their physics research and outreach projects. One attendee commented, "If those SPS interns represent the future of physics, well then, I feel much better."
The interns wrapped up their projects on August 6 and headed back home to Texas, Ohio, Illinois, and other destinations around the country. To read about the interns' summer experiences, see photos and view slides from their presentations, visit the 2009 Interns Page.
Journals & Presentations | Photo Gallery | About the Program | Previous Interns
• 2008 Fellowship in Physics & Society
• USU's Willard L. Eccles Research Fellow: Head in the Clouds, Feet on the Ground
• SPS 'Outstanding Students' present research at ICPS in Cracow, Poland
• Thomas Olsen Takes on New Role as Assistant Director of SPS
• 2008 Blake Lilly Prize Recipients
• SPS launches COPUS Student Hub
• CERN science writer Katie McAlpine has a hit on her hands with Large Hadron Rap
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 SPS and NSHP offer joint membership
SPS and the National Society of Hispanic Physicists (NSHP) are now offering joint student memberships at a discounted price. NSHP seeks to increase opportunities for Hispanics in physics and to increase the number of practicing Hispanic physicists, particularly by encouraging Hispanic students to enter a career in physics.
More information | Joint Membership Application | NSHP Website
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Archived News Stories
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ISU SPS Celebrates Pi Day and Einstein's Birthday with Outreach Events
 KIDK News Video
KIFI News Video
 MARCH 14-The Idaho State University Department of Physics and the I.S.U. Society of Physics Students invited everyone Saturday afternoon to celebrate Pi Day at the Pine Ridge Mall in Chubbuck, ID.
Saturday March 14th was "Pi Day," (Pi is 3.14) and it's also Einstein's birthday.
The event had physics demonstrations, hands-on science exhibits and much more. There was free pie for the kids and real ice cream made in minutes with the help of liquid nitrogen.
Students say it's a great way to show kids that science is not boring. "We're just trying to show them that science is a lot of fun. It's not boring. It is just something that is really cool and it would be great to know about," said Dayton Smye, a sophomore at I.S.U.
"We're really excited to give them an opportunity to see science in action and to do some fun stuff that they might not normally be able to do and hopefully inspire them to study science more for themselves," says president of the Society of Physics Students Andrew Harmon.
Einstein would have turned 130 years old today.
Previous Chapter Spotlights...
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