Programs & Awards
The Society of Physics Students sponsors internships, scholarships, fellowships, grants, outreach materials, and awards for both individuals and chapters. |
- Deadlines
- 2009 ICPS
- Inspiring Outreach
- Interns
- Fellowships
- Six Flags
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
SPS Outstanding Students Represent USA at ICPS in Croatia
 SPS Outstanding Student Award recipients Josh Fuchs and Gabriel Caceres
represented SPS and the U.S. at the 2009 International Conference of Physics Students (ICPS), the annual conference of the
International Association of Physics Students. This year’s conference was the 24th in a row and
was held in Split, Croatia, August 10-18, 2009. It was organized entirely by the
Student Section of the Croatian Physical Society. ICPS truly is a conference for physics students
run by physics students.
Josh Fuchs | Gabriel Caceres | Photos | Program Info
Inspiring Outreach Recognized with Blake Lilly Prize
 "I want to be an astrophysicist!" exclaimed a seven-year old girl talking to a graduate-school-bound physics club member during Wooster College's first annual Community Science Day. Wooster, along with four other schools, are recipients of a 2009 Blake Lilly Prize. These annual awards recognize SPS chapters and individuals who make a genuine effort to positively influence the attitudes of school children and the general public about physics.
2009 Recipients | Blake Lilly Prize Details
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
 2009 Student Fellowships in Physics and Society
From combating "pseudo-science" to controlling carbon emissions, recipients of the 2009 SPS/APS Student Fellowships in Physics and Society are involved in some fascinating research aimed at impacting the larger society. The 2009 recipients are Kevin Thomas, University of Central Florida (left), and Zhenyuan Zhao, University of Miami (right). Read their progress reports here. The Fellowships are granted jointly by the American Physical Society (APS) Forum on Physics and Society (FPS), in partnership with the Society of Physics Students and the APS Forum on Graduate Student Affairs (FGSA).
Progress Reports | Fellowship Details | APS FPS | APS FGSA
 SPS hosts activities at Six Flags America
Ever had a 96-foot drop as a part of your demo show? On April 24th, 2009, thousands of high school physics students descended on Six Flags America, near Washington, DC, and its gut-wrenching, free-falling, thrilling rides—and SPS was there to welcome them! SPS volunteers from across the Mid-Atlantic region joined staff members from the SPS national office to take physics to the students.
Photo Gallery | Six Flags America Website | Amusement Park Physics
|
| Calendar |
• 2009 SPS Leadership Scholarships
• 2009 Marsh White Outreach Awards
• 2009 Undergraduate Research Awards
• Dr. Samuel Lofland named 2008 Outstanding Chapter Advisor
• 2008 Outstanding Chapters
• 2008 Blake Lilly Prize Recipients
|
|
SPS Internships are nine-week, broad-based learning opportunities for undergraduate physics majors in the areas of scientific research and outreach/policy. Students are placed in organizations in the Washington, DC area such as NIST, NASA, AIP, AAS, AAPT and APS.
2010 Application | Program Details | Flyer (please post) | Meet Past Interns
 |
|
SPS Scholarships encourage the study of physics and the pursuit of high scholarship. They consist of a top award of $5,000, and a number of $2,000 awards, which are intended for physics majors in the latter stages of their undergraduate careers.
2009 Recipients | Scholarship Details
Note: Search for physics and astronomy scholarships provided by additional organizations on The Nucleus Scholarship Clearinghouse, an SPS-supported digital resource collection.
|
| SPS Awards
SPS sponsors a variety of research, outreach, and travel awards, along with a Physics & Society Fellowship. There are also awards recognizing outstanding students, SPS chapters and SPS advisors.
SPS Awards | Physics & Society Fellowship
|
| Research Opportunities
Information on fellowships, internships, grants, research positions, & graduate programs in physics, astronomy and related sciences.
Also See: Summer Research Opportunities on The Nucleus digital library
|
| SOCKs (Science Outreach Catalyst Kits)
The annual Science Outreach Catalyst Kits, or SOCKs, contain exploratory physics and science activities specifically designed for SPS Chapters and collegiate physics departments to use in outreach presentations to local elementary, middle and high school students. The kits are created and assembled annually by the SPS national interns and national office staff.
SOCKs Home | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001
|
| Future Faces of Physics Initiative
In keeping with its commitment to help students transform themselves into contributing members of the professional physics community, the SPS National Council adopted “Future Faces of Physics” as the theme for the 2007-2008 academic year. With this continuing initiative, SPS aims to raise visibility and focus on issues of student diversity in physics.
Future Faces of Physics Kit | Future Faces of Physics Jeopardy
|
Calendar
|
| The SPS derives most of its support from the American Institute of Physics (AIP). SPS dues are also an important contributor. These regular, budgeted sources of revenue make possible the SPS publications and programs that are available to SPS members.
The Awards and Scholarship Programs of SPS are made possible, in part, through the generous contributions os Sigma Pi Sigma members and friends. Scholarships and Awards are supported by income derived from designated funds that have been provided as gifts. In this way, the physics alumni, and especially Sigma Pi Sigma members, contribute to the generations of students who follow them.
|
|
|
