SPS News - Issue 54

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

2014-15 Annual Chapter Reports

In order to be considered an "active chapter" of the Society of Physics Students national organization, every SPS Chapter is required to submit an annual report of activities.

Chapter reports are due no later than June 15. Chapter Leaders! Submit your chapter reports now!

The SPS National Council Elections Open!

It is time to choose the new student and faculty leaders of SPS! Elections are open through May 9. Details are available online. Voting is done electronically by your chapter leaders or advisor, with one vote per chapter. Be sure your chapter votes to have your voice heard!

Nobel Laureates, Travel Funds, & iPad Drawing—FREE!!

SPS is partnering with the Optical Society to host a special event for undergraduates at the CLEO:2015 Conference in San Jose, CA on May 12! Registration is FREE and open until May 5. The first 50 registrants will also be entered to win an iPad! Travel funds are also available to SPS members in the form of a reporter award. The program includes a plenary session featuring two Nobel Prize winners in Physics, Steven Chu and Hiroshi Amano; a special networking and professional development event including the Nobel laureates; and a special tour of the exhibit hall.

Upcoming Scientific Meetings - Students Welcome

The 169th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America — May 18-22

The ASA Spring Meeting is heading to Pittsburgh, PA! ASA offers discounted rates for students. Register here.

Inclusive Astronomy Meeting — Jun. 17-19

Women in Astronomy announce the inaugural meeting on Inclusive Astronomy at Vanderbilt University in June. The meeting will serve to advocate and provide resources for the inclusion in the astronomy community of: people of color; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, or questioning (LGBTIQ) people; people with disabilities; women; and anyone who holds more than one of these identities. Read more. Register for the meeting.

American Association of Physicists in Medicine 57th Annual Meeting — July 12-16

Registration is now open for the AAPM Summer Meeting in Anaheim, CA in July. The education program and professional program will offer a significant opportunity to gain practical knowledge on emerging technical and professional issues. AAPM will host a student lunch to foster discussion of the future of research in the field of medical physics. Get more information.

American Association of Physics Teachers Summer Meeting — July 25-29

Registration is now open for the AAPT Summer Meeting in College Park, MD in July. There will be a big SPS presence at this meeting – Don't miss it! Get your poster in the SPS Poster Session! AAPT welcomes students to their meetings (at low cost) and many of the sessions and presentations are geared towards physics students. Consider contributing an abstract for a poster presentation. Get more information.

For a comprehensive list of upcoming meetings and deadlines, visit the SPS calendar.

Going to a Meeting? Applications Wanted!

Attending a conference? SPS members attending and reporting on professional physics meetings are eligible to receive $200 in travel reimbursement. Applications are always being accepted. Apply Now!

Presenting your work at an upcoming conference? SPS members presenting original work at a national AIP member society physics meeting are eligible to receive $200 in funding. A limited number of awards will be offered. Apply Today!

Upcoming Zone Meetings

April 24-25: Zone 3
May 2: Zone 17
Check the calendar for dates, locations, and contact information!
For a comprehensive list of upcoming zone meetings, visit the SPS calendar.

Get a SOCK for Your Chapter!

Science Outreach Catalyst Kits, or SOCKs, contain hands-on physics and science activities specifically designed for SPS chapters to use during outreach events in their communities. Each SOCK comes with an instruction manual and a several sets of materials. The 2014-15 SOCK is focused on light and what it can tell us about matter and its structure. For details on getting a free SOCK for your Chapter, visit the SOCK webpage.

Free Webinar on 10 Things You Can Do NOW to Get a Job

I am about to graduate – what on Earth do I do now?
10 things you can do NOW to get a job and move your career forward

April 30, 2015 at 2pm ET

Learn specific tasks that can be done RIGHT NOW to find a job.
Adaptable to any career stage but especially valuable for those who are about to graduate or finish their postdoc and haven't secured employment yet. REGISTER NOW for this free event, being held on April 30, 2015 at 2pm ET! Sponsored by Physics Today and the AIP Career Network and co-sponsored by SPS.

Sign up Today!

There are still summer science REUs and Internships available on SPS Jobs.

Browse the listing of opportunities for physics students on SPS Jobs to find the best matches. Here are a few featured jobs:
Technical Services/Problem Solver – Epic
Physics Instructor Position – Guided Discoveries
As always, you can register and sign up for job alerts to find your perfect fit.

Sean Bentley, PhD
Director, Society of Physics Students & Sigma Pi Sigma Physics Honor Society
American Institute of Physics, Education Division
One Physics Ellipse
College Park, MD, 20740
Tel: 301-209-3013
Email: sbentley [at] aip.org
Web: spsnational.org