Adopt-a-Physicist: Spring 2014

I just received the following information from Kendra Redmond of the Education Division of the American Institute of Physics. I like to forward these invitations because I know how valuable these sorts of connections can be. Many years ago, I participated as a volunteer scientist in an adopt-a-scientist program called Science-by-Mail.

Register now for the spring session of Adopt-a-Physicist!

If your students ever ask...

• What do physicists do?
• What does this have to do with the "real world"?
• Has anything new been discovered in physics since Einstein?

Then consider participating in Adopt-a-Physicist, a free program for high school physics classes, hosted by the physics honor society Sigma Pi Sigma.

Adopt-a-Physicist connects high school physics students to real physics graduates who are eager to share their stories. Working in areas ranging from particle physics research to freelance writing, the participating physicists embody a huge range of careers, backgrounds, interests, and educational levels. Adopt-a-Physicist connects classes with the physicists of their choice through online discussion forums that are active for a set three-week period. Each physicist can only be "adopted" by up to three classes, making lively, in-depth discussions possible. Click here to learn more. For more details on the program and ideas for incorporating it into your physics class, browse the resources for teachers.

Spring 2014 Schedule

• Teacher Registration: Now - April 3 (or until full)
• Teachers adopt physicists: April 15 - April 18
• Discussion forums open: April 22 - May 9

Visit Adopt-a-Physicist for more information, or send us an email at editor@adoptaphysicist.org.

Photo credit: Daniel X. O'Neil, via Flickr.

Academic Earth presents: How to Take a Punch

A couple of weeks ago, I got an email from Jack Collins, a writer with Academic Earth, asking me to check out a video entitled “Practical Math: How to Take a Punch,” which he described as "an unorthodox approach to explaining the physics of momentum."

I was intrigued. To be honest, physics is one of my least favorite subjects and I tend to think of it as boring. This is quite unfortunate because I know it isn't true - I am fascinated by many aspects of physics, particularly those surrounding wormholes and the concept of time travel. But, when I was in school, physics was seldom taught in a way that grabbed my attention. Apart from the rare moments of watching pendulums swing (which, let's face it, isn't that exciting), I copied abstract equations from the board and frantically attempted to memorize them.

The following video is not boring. In fact, I had to laugh a bit (and cringe - hey, there's a guy getting punched here!) while I watched it. See what you think!

Created by AcademicEarth.org

Adopt-a-Physicist

It's that time again! Registration is open for the fall session of Adopt-a-Physicist. This free program connects high school students with working physicists in an effort to demystify science and promote awareness of STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) careers.


From Kendra Redmond, at the American Institute of Physics:

If your students ever ask…

-What do physicists do?

-What does this have to do with the “real world”?

-Has anything new been discovered in physics since Einstein?

Then consider participating in Adopt-a-Physicist this fall, a free program for high school physics classes hosted by the physics honor society Sigma Pi Sigma. Adopt-a-Physicist connects high school physics students to real physics graduates who are eager to share their stories. Working in areas ranging from particle physics research to freelance writing, the participating physicists embody a huge range of careers, backgrounds, interests, and educational levels. Adopt-a-Physicist connects classes with the physicists of their choice through online discussion forums that are active for a set three-week period. Each physicist can only be "adopted" by up to three classes, making lively, in-depth discussions possible.

Learn more here.  For more details on the program and ideas for incorporating it into your physics class, browse the resources for teachers.

*Teacher Registration: Now - September 12 (or until full)

*Teachers adopt physicists: September 20-28

*Discussion forums open: October 2-22

For more information on Adopt-a-Physicist, visit http://www.adoptaphysicist.org/webdocs/about.cfm or send us an email at editor@adoptaphysicist.org

Adopt-a-Physicist

I received this Email yesterday from Kendra Redmond, Program Coordinator of the Society of Physics Students at the American Institute of Physics:

Registration is open for fall Adopt-a-Physicist!

Adopt-a-Physicist connects high school physics students to real physics graduates who are eager to share their stories. Working in areas ranging from particle physics research to freelance writing, the participating physicists embody a huge range of careers, backgrounds, interests, and educational levels. Adopt-a-Physicist connects classes with the physicists of their choice through online discussion forums that are active for a set three-week period. Each physicist can only be "adopted" by up to three classes, making lively, in-depth discussions possible. Learn more at Adopt-a-Physicist.

Fall 2010 Schedule
*Teacher Registration: Now - September 28 (or until full)
*Physicist Registration: September 29 - October 4 (or until full)
*Teachers adopt physicists: October 5 - October 15
*Discussion forums open: October 19 - November 9

Years ago, when I worked at a state environmental agency, I participated in a program with a similar idea: Science-by-Mail. At that time, I was "adopted" by several classrooms of gradeschoolers. The kids worked through a specific set of problems and sent me their findings. I wrote back and tried to be encouraging and helpful. One year, they worked on pinhole cameras, which I remember distinctly because I knew next to nothing about the subject and had to hit the reference books. Another time, we discussed the science behind making gingerbread houses. It was a fun and worthwhile project. I'm sure that Adopt-a-Physicist will be a rich and rewarding experience for physicists and students alike.

Who knows? You could connect with the next
Benjamin Franklin, Sir Isaac Newton, or Albert Einstein!

Photo credit: Jeremy Banks, via flickr // CC BY 2.0