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SPS and Sigma Pi Sigma It’s who we are.

SPS and Sigma Pi Sigma It’s who we are. Member organizations of. SPS & Sigma Pi Sigma.

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SPS and Sigma Pi Sigma It’s who we are.

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  1. SPS and Sigma Pi SigmaIt’s who we are. Member organizations of

  2. SPS & Sigma Pi Sigma • SPS is the Society of Physics Students, open to all who have an interest in physics. SPS Chapters are chartered at two year colleges, four year colleges and universities, and at universities with graduate programs • Overview • SPS is the physics honor society, housed within the Society of Physics Students. Sigma Pi Sigma chapters are restricted to colleges and universities of recognized standing that offer a strong physics major.

  3. No, really. What is SPS? National Initiatives, local impact • A professional association explicitly designed for students and their mentors. • Purpose: to help students transform themselves into contributing members of the professional community • SPS provides extracurricular professional development opportunities to develop important skills: • effective communication and personal interactions • leadership experience • establishing a personal network of contact • presenting scholarly work in professional meetings and journals • outreach services to the campus and local communities. • SPS: a “chapter based” society

  4. Origins • Sigma Pi Sigma was founded by five undergraduates and four faculty members on the campus of Davidson College (NC) in 1921. • Davidson College reached out to other schools, and Duke University formed the second chapter (1925). • Next, Marsh White took Sigma Pi Sigma to Penn State (1926) http://www.phys.psu.edu/~rick/sigmapisigma.html • In 1930 a newsletter was started. • The Radiations of Sigma Pi Sigma • the organization’s official publication • later renamed Radiations: The Official Publication of Sigma Pi Sigma • Now published and mailed to members biannually • Students took the lead!

  5. Origins, cont. • Joining with the American Institution of Physics (AIP) • In 1951 Sigma Pi Sigma became an affiliated society AIP • In 1968 Sigma Pi Sigma officially merged with American Institute of Physics (AIP) • Society of Physics Students (SPS) was born • Sigma Pi Sigma became the honor society within the Society of Physics Students

  6. The American Institute of Physics (AIP) • Being part of the SPS national organization makes you part of one of the world’s largest scientific organizations • AIP is a “society of societies” • Thousands of scientists, engineers and educators • AIP Mission • serve the sciences of physics and astronomy by serving its Member Societies, individual scientists, students and the general public. • AIP Member Societies: • Being Part of Something Bigger Acoustical Society of America American Association of Physics Teachers American Association of Physicists in Medicine American Astronomical Society American Crystallographic Association American Physical Society AVS: Science & Technology of Materials, Interfaces, & Processing The Optical Society Society of Rheology

  7. The Physics Resources Center • AIP publishes the flagship magazine Physics Today • Received by all members of AIP Member Societies • The AIP Physics Resources center delivers expertise in a variety of relevant areas • Education and student programs • SPS, Sigma Pi Sigma, Grad School Shopper • Science communications • Inside Science News, Inside Science TV • Government relations • FYI: The AIP Bulletin of Science Policy News, multiple government advocacy projects • Career services for science and engineering professionals, • AIP Career Pathways Project, SPS Jobs/AIP Career Network • Statistical research in physics employment and education • AIP Statistical Research Center • Industrial outreach • Corporate Associates Program • History of physics and allied fields • NielsBohr Library and Archives. • Center for the History of Physics • Valuable Services and Programs

  8. SPS and SPS Governance • 18 zones, each zone represented by • Zone Councilor (typically faculty) • Elected for up to two consecutive, three year terms • Associate Zone Councilor (student) • Elected annually, with a two year consecutive term limit • One AZC elected by peers to serve on Executive Committee • Council Leadership: SPS Executive Committee • SPS President • Sigma PI Sigma President • AZC student representative • AIP Member at large • SPS Director • AIP Executive Director • Elections in the spring of each year SPS National Council

  9. Society of Physics Students Zone Map 18 - China (not to scale) 4 - Egypt(not to scale) 6 - Puerto Rico(not to scale) 18 - Singapore(not to scale)

  10. Why Join SPS? • It only costs $24.00 (less than a single night at the movies!) • All SPS members receive Physics Today, the physics magazine • As an SPS Undergraduate Member, you get to join one of the AIP member societies (number of society members) • American Physical Society (41,000) • The Optical Society (14,000) • Acoustical Society of America (7,000) • The Society of Rheology (1,600) • American Assoc. of Physics Teachers (10,000) • American Crystallographic Association (2,000) • American Astronomical Society (6,000) • American Assoc. of Physicists in Medicine (5,000) • AVS: Science & Technology (5,000) • American Geophysical Union (34,000) • Being a part of SPS puts you in the company of scientists of all kinds! • SPS connects you with thousands of students, faculty and physics professionals around the globe. • MANY reasons!

  11. Every chapter has a unique personality! Penn State Adelphi U. East Central U. UT Dallas Southeast U (China)

  12. What SPS can do for students. PURPOSE • Being part of a group of people with common interest can instill a sense of personal responsibility for “something big” • Being active in SPS programs can give an immediate “application” for the physics learned in the classroom • Being part of SPS provides an immediate connection to the future of PHYSICS • SPS can provide

  13. SPS Annual Theme and Slogan All SPS art/logos available for use by SPS Chapters Theme and slogan adopted by SPS National Council September 2011

  14. When do we get together? 1. Zone Meetings • Annually or biannually in all 18 zones • Student driven planning committee 2. Quadrennial Physics Congresseshosted by Sigma Pi Sigma • Every 4 years • Student driven planning committee • Start planning now for 2016! A demonstration of strength by SPS Staff, and student volunteers from U. Central Florida on pre-con “bag stuffing night”

  15. The only meeting focused on the total undergraduate physics experience What is a “Congress”?

  16. Notable highlights 2012 Quadrennial Physics Congresshosted by Sigma Pi Sigma Largest ever: 800+ attendees Waiting list ~50 NSF support for 40 HBCU students from 18 schools Largest group: MIT (40) Zones present: 18 Attendee Stats: 33% Women 21% Underrepresented Minority Participation/Sponsorship from MS: APS, OSA, AAS, AAPT, AGU, ASA, AAPM, AVS International Participation First: Southeast U - China

  17. Notable highlights-2 2012 Quadrennial Physics Congresshosted by Sigma Pi Sigma Behind the scenes tours NASA-KSC 15 busses 15 NASA tour guides 775 Boxed Lunches World Class Plenary speakers Dr. Jocelyn Bell-Burnell Dr. Mercedes Richards Prof. Freeman Dyson Dr. John Grunsfeld Dr. John Mather Dr. John Johnson Notable Lunchtime Additions Dr. Dan Green – Higgs Discovery Dr. David Saltzberg -“Big Bang Theory” (TV series)

  18. Notable highlights-3 2012 Quadrennial Physics Congresshosted by Sigma Pi Sigma Engaging Workshops Phenomenal Workshop Leaders Connecting Scientists & Science Policy Connecting Diverse Perspectives in Science Connecting Academia & Industry Connecting Science & Technology Connecting Students & Careers Connecting Physics & the Public 8 Workshop Leaders 6 Workshops 15 Workshop Wizards

  19. 2012 Quadrennial Physics Congresshosted by Sigma Pi Sigma Notable highlights-4 Exhibit Hall with 60 Exhibits Breakfast with the Scientists

  20. 2012 Quadrennial Physics Congresshosted by Sigma Pi Sigma Notable highlights-2 2 Student Research and Outreach Poster Sessions 1 Art Show 189 Posters 48 Poster Judges 11 Award Winners 20 pieces of art 5 winners

  21. Next? • SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory • San Jose, CA • Planning for 1200+ • PhysCon2016 West Coast, here we come!

  22. What does SPS do for students? • Scholarships • Community outreach programs • Awards for student research • Grants for presenting at professional meetings • Recognition of outstanding faculty advisors • Summer internship programs • Support and Encouragement!

  23. Scholarships • SPS Leadership Scholarships • Several $2000-$5000 awards may be made each year • Applicants must be in their junior year of study • Awarded on the basis of academic performance and leadership in SPS • Herbert Levy Memorial Scholarship • One $2000 award may be made each year • Awarded to undergraduate students on the basis of scholarship, SPS participation, and financial need • Established in the memory of the late Dr. Herbert Levy, by Margaret Sussman Levy • Peggy Dixon Two-Year College Scholarship • One $2000 award may be made each year • Awarded to undergraduate students on the basis of scholarship, SPS participation, and attendance at a two-year college • Established in the memory of the late Dr. Peggy Dixon • SPS Future Teacher Scholarship • One $2000 award may be made each year • Awarded to undergraduate students on the basis of scholarship, SPS participation, and a stated teaching career objective • Encouraging students to continue their study of physics

  24. Awards for Outreach/Public Engagement • Inspiring the next generation of physics students • Marsh W. White Awards • Several awards of up to $300 made each year • Awarded to chapters for physics outreach activities to grades K-12 and the general public • The Blake Lilly Prize • Several awards may be made each year • Winners receive the three-volume set of The Feynman Lectures on Physics and a plaque • Awarded to chapters or individuals that engage in physics outreach activities and submit a report about the activity • Established in the memory of the late Blake Lilly, by his parents

  25. Support for outreach and public engagement • Science Outreach Catalyst Kits (S.O.C.K.’s) • Designed for SPS Chapters and collegiate physics departments to use in outreach presentations to local elementary, middle, and high school students • Designed and assembled annually by the SPS national interns and office staff • Complete with robust lesson plans! • Inspiring the next generation of physics students

  26. Support for Undergraduate Research • Sigma Pi Sigma Undergraduate Research Award • Several awards of up to $2000 made each year • Awarded to chapters for chapter physics research projects • Outstanding Student Awards for Undergraduate Research • Two or more awards may be made each year • Winners received a trip to the International Conference of Physics Students (ICPS), usually held in Europe; are invited to give a presentation in an SPS session at a national physics meeting; and receive $500 for themselves and $500 for their SPS chapter • Awarded to undergraduates on the basis of their research, letters of recommendation, and SPS participation • Encouraging physics students to participate in meaningful undergraduate research

  27. Support for presenting at meetings • SPS Travel Awards • Several $200 awards made each year • Awarded to SPS members presenting research at national physics meetings with SPS sessions • Awarded to undergraduates on a first-come first-served basis • SPS Reporter Awards • Several $200 awards made each year • Awarded to SPS members reporting on national professional physics meetings for SPS publications • Awarded to undergraduates on a first-come first-served basis • Building confidence and networking SPS National Reporters at the AAPT Winter meeting 2012, Ontario California, interview with Brian Green (right)

  28. Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award • Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award • Recognizes the extraordinary efforts of one SPS Chapter advisor annually • Consisting of a citation of the recipient's distinctive service and a $5,000 prize • 60% to the chapter advisor • 20% to the recipient’s chapter • 20% to the recipient’s institution • Commending those who inspire the best

  29. SUMMER INTERNSHIPS • SPS Internships • Internships are broad-based learning opportunities for undergraduate physics majors in the areas of scientific research, outreach, education and policy • Interns receive stipend, travel allowance and housing • Interns are placed in organizations such as NIST, NASA, AIP, AAS, AAPT and APS, in the Washington, DC, area • Students are selected based on scholastic record and potential for future success, evidence of participation in SPS events and activities, and relevant experience • Broadening career aspirations

  30. Supporting Diversity in Physics The Society of Physics Students recognizes that there is a vast untapped intellectual resource in all groups underrepresented in physics. For this reason, the Society of Physics Students is committed to making physics more accessible for everyone. We are committed to providing programs, resources, and opportunities that encourage great participation in the community of physics from members of all groups. • SPS can be the first line in reshaping the face of physics • Future Faces of Physics Award • Several awards of up to $300 may be made each year • Awarded to chapters for activities that promote physics across cultures • Future Faces of Physics Program • Development of a unique “kit” available for zones or chapters • Future Faces of Physics Physpardy (Jeopardy-style game) • Future Faces of Physics

  31. SPS Service to the physics community. • Connects high school physics students to physics graduates • Hosted twice a year • Typical session: • 50 teachers • 70 classes • 150 physicists • Adopt-a-Physicist

  32. Communicating with members • Email • SPS membership no more than biweekly • Sigma Pi Sigma membership no more than quarterly • New analysis & tracking process • “Snail Mail” • 4-6 main mailings over the year • Web Presence • SPS home page • Sigma Pi Sigma home page • SPS Jobs • Connecting with Constituents • Web Presence (cont’d) • PhysCon • JURP • The Nucleus • The SPS Observer • Social Networking • Facebook Page • Facebook groups (SPS & ΣΠΣ) • Twitter Accounts • LinkedIn group • Google+

  33. Great reading material! • The SPS Observer • Quarterly magazine for SPS members & advisors • Builds community, both within SPS & AIP Member Societies • Develops physics appreciation • Radiations Magazine • Semi-annual magazine of Sigma Pi Sigma • Keeps people with a physics background connected • Highlight ΣΠΣ news, meetings, events, & awards • Publications

  34. for all

  35. For more information sps@aip.org www.spsnational.org

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