The Texas Section of AAPT/Zone 13 of SPS Workshops are set for the Joint Fall 2017 Meeting at The University of Texas at Dallas in Richardson, Texas on October 20th and 21th.
| W1 |
“Helping Students Understand Gravitational Waves”, presented by Karen Jo Matsler, PTRA and UTA and Janie Head, PTRA and Fulshear HS, Richmond
Although gravitational waves are not specifically mentioned in the TEKS, their detection is based on principles of optics and wave superposition AND students want to know about them. This workshop will provide some background information and materials for you to take back to your classroom to help students understand how the gravitational waves were detected at LIGO. This is a PTRA approved workshop.
Limited to 15 participants – 1.5 hours – Cost $10.00
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| W2 |
“Amusement Park for College Students", presented by Joseph Izen, University of Texas at Dallas
Students acquire accelerometer and altimeter data on rides during a day-long capstone trip to Six Flags Over Texas. Beyond reinforcing key physics concepts, preparatory homework assignments and Excel-based analysis of Six Flags data teach experimental concepts such as calibration, treatment of noisy data, and assignment of uncertainty. Experiments include precision measurements and open-ended hunts for specified phenomena. Critical thinking is demanded. Students are provided tools, but they devise the method for completing assigned experiments.
Class handouts and examples of student work will be shown.
Limited to 24 participants – 1.5 hours – Cost $0.00
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| W3 |
“GPS – A Guide for Travel and Communication”, presented by Trina Cannon, PTRA and Eastfield College
The government’s advanced achievement in technology is eventually released to the public. This is the origin of the GPS system that we have grown to accept as a vital component for our everyday life. We will learn a little more about GPS and how it works. We will complete some activities that will be suitable for both Physics and Math classes. This is a PTRA approved workshop.
Limited to 24 participants – 1.5 hours – Cost $5.00
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| W4 |
“Uncertainty Principle in the High School Classroom”, presented by Kenric Davies, PTRA and
Liberty High School, Plano
Changes to the AP Physics curriculum have shown that the inclusion of quantum mechanical topics such as the wave-particle duality and the uncertainty principle are subjects that students should have some familiarity. In this session, we will retool an old experiment (single slit) used to show the wave nature of light and use it to demonstrate implications of the uncertainty principle that students can see with their own eyes. This is a PTRA approved workshop.
Limited to 15 participants – 1.5 hours – Cost $8.00
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| W5 |
“A Study of Reflection and Refraction”, presented by Randy Back and Regan Beckham, University of Texas at Tyler
This workshop will explore the behavior of light. In particular we will do experiments to explore the reflection and refraction of light. By taking data and analyzing the results we will derive the law of reflection and Snell’s law with the use of mathematical techniques. Materials for the experiments will be provided for the workshop.
Limited to 24 participants – 2.0 hours – Cost $5.00
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| W6 |
“Put your physics degree to work with The AIP Career Toolbox Workshop”, presented by Toni Sauncy, Texas Lutheran University
Nearly half of all physics bachelor’s level degree holders enter the workforce immediately following graduation. The Careers Toolbox, developed through an NSF funded research project, empowers students with professional development tools. Participants will earn, through interactive resources, how to identify skills that are valued in the workplace, describe their skills in ways that are meaningful to employers, find job opportunities, and stand out as a candidate. In addition, participants will explore resources for building an effective resume, interviewing, networking, and understanding other aspects of the job search, all geared specifically for physics students.
Limited to 36 participants – 1.5 hours – Cost $0.00 (workshop fee waived for SPS members)
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| W7 |
“More Modern Physics”, presented by Trina Cannon, PTRA and Eastfield College
In the state of TX, the TEKS for Physics classes includes a reference to the Photoelectric In the state of TX, the TEKS for Physics classes includes a reference to the Photoelectric Effect that a significant research achievement that has added to the study of Modern Physics. We will work through a lab activity that can help students understand work function and the value of this data. This is a PTRA approved workshop.
Limited to 24 participants – 2.0 hours – Cost $5.00
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| W8 |
“Cartoon Physics: Elementary/Middle School Edition”, presented by Kenric Davies, PTRA and Liberty High School, Plano
In this session, we will analyze scenes from cartoons like Coyote and Roadrunner, Speedy Gonzales, and cartoon movies using physics concepts taught in the elementary and middle grades. Teachers will go through hands on experiments that their students can do to test whether the cartoon scenes showed good or bad physics. Teachers will also use the CER (Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning) method of developing good scientific explanations that are grade level appropriate. This is a PTRA approved workshop.
Limited to 24 participants – 1.5 hours – Cost $5.00
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| W9 |
“Physics Careers in Academia, Industry, Military, and Patent Law”, moderated by Kat Barger, Texas Christian University
Most careers that physicists work in do not have the word “physics” in the job title or the job description. The critical reasoning and problem solving skills that are gained through a physics degree are used in industry, the military, biophysics, astrophysics, patent law, and more. At this workshop, we will hear first hand how a physics degree prepared the guest speakers for their careers in these fields.
Speakers: Kat Barger (Texas Christian University) on Astrophysics, Hana Dobrovolny (Texas Christian University) on Biophysics, Thomas Paz (Texas Christian University) on Military, Gary Frazier (University of Texas at Dallas) on Industry, Mark McWilliams (Slater Matsil) on Patent Law
No participant limit – 2.15 hours – Cost $0.00
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| W10 |
“SPS Outreach: SHSU SPS Chapter 6322 Rise of the Phoenix”, Zak Noel, Lamar University;
Clayton Ellinwood and Andre Guimares, San Houston State University
August 21, 2017, the Sam Houston State University organized a community viewing of the 2017 Solar Eclipse at the university observatory. Organizers promoted the event to the university and the Huntsville community through the local paper and the university web, and SPS officers prepared printed eclipse tee shirts and bottled water for sale during the eclipse. Several hundred people attended the event, and the local chapter raised $356.28.
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