Joint Meeting of the AAPT/APS

Northern California/Nevada Section

Friday & Saturday, November 14 & 15, 2003

Lawrence Berkeley Lab ~ UC Berkeley

Local Host: Michael Barnett and Robert Jacobsen

email: barnett @ lbl.gov

"The Future of Physics Education and the Fate of the Universe"


Main Web Site for this Meeting:

http://pdg.lbl.gov/aapt-aps/
Go to this web site to register, to submit abstracts for talks, to learn about parking and other local issues. Deadline for registration is November 3.


Call for Papers

We solicit contributed papers of 15 minutes in length. Suitable topics include teaching ideas, research projects, laboratory techniques, novel demonstrations, computers and instruction. Please submit an abstract of your talk, with title, your name and affiliation, AV and equipment requests, and other requirements at http://pdg.lbl.gov/aapt-aps. Deadline for submission is Monday, October 10, 2003.

Friday Workshops

Teachers are welcome to contact our President, Peter Urone, for a letter of support to assist them obtaining funds and release time to attend this conference.

All Friday participants must register at http://pdg.lbl.gov/aapt-aps/ for gate entry to LBNL. Parking is limited!

"New Teacher Workshop" (10 am - 4 pm) Paul Robinson, Dean Baird and other Vets

This workshop is intended for teachers who are either new to teaching physics and/or those who have been at it for a while but still feel like they're new! All new teachers will be networked with experienced teachers. The workshop includes valuable teaching tips, goodie bags, raffles where everyone wins, question and answer panels, popcorn, and more! Although there is no fee, interested participants should email Paul at laserpablo@aol.com for more information.

"Vernier Basics and System Updates" Clarence Bakken

BASICS: (12:30-2:30pm) Get hands-on experience with Vernier Software's new Logger Pro 3.2 software while using a LabPro interface for motion, force, sound, voltage and more. Intended for beginners, this session will explore some of the new capabilities of the software.

UPDATES: (3:30-5:30pm) Bring your LabPro and/or a TI graphing calculator (TI-83+ or greater) to learn how to update to the newest operating systems. Go home with a CD that will make the process easy for you. Or simply explore some more with the various probes and experiments from the "Basics" session. Email Clarence at cbakken2001@yahoo.com for more information.

"Neutrinos: Ghostlike Particles in the Universe" (10:00 - 2:30pm) Karsten Heeger & Glenn Horton-Smith

We will discuss the role of neutrinos in particle physics and cosmology and the number of neutrinos we encounter in a typical day of our lives and take a look at some of the experiments that hunt one of the most elusive particles in the Universe. Email Karsten Heeger KMHeeger @ lbl.gov for more information.

"Using Cosmic Rays to Link the Classroom to the Cosmos" (10:00- 2:30pm) Peggy McMahan and Reina Maruyama

Both web-based materials and the LBNL cosmic ray detector will be used to investigate the nature and origin of cosmic rays. We will use web-based material and the LBNL cosmic ray detector to learn about cosmic rays and their effects. And we will discuss how classroom experiments can be tied into the California science and math standards at several grade levels. Participants will have the opportunity to borrow a cosmic ray detector for use in their classrooms. Email Peggy McMahan at p_mcmahan @ lbl.gov for more information.

"Quarks R U" (10:00 - 12:00 or 12:30-2:30 pm) Andria Erzberger

Try out some particle physics activities that you can use in your classroom. They can be integrated into classical physics, while giving your students an introduction to the physics of the 20th and 21st centuries. No previous knowledge needed. You will also receive posters, placemats, and CDs of particle physics resources. Email Andria Erzberger at ALErzberger @ lbl.gov for more information.

"Physics in Energy-Efficient Windows and Lighting" (10 am to 2:30 pm) Jonathan Slack

LBNL's research and technology development in windows and lighting has contributed significantly to more energy-efficient buildings. The workshop will include hands-on testing of energy-efficient materials and systems under development at LBNL. Hear from scientists about the current research and brainstorm activities to bring this to the classroom. Email Jonathan Slack at JLSlack @ lbl.gov for more information.

"Physics in Protein Crystallography at the Advanced Light Source" (10 am to 12:00 pm) Carl Cork

We have entered the age of proteinomics, having moved rapidly through the period of genomics. X-ray protein crystallography plays a central role in determining the structure of proteins. Participants will learn about the technology and the tools at LBNL's Advanced Light Source, which make modern rapid protein crystallography possible. . Email Carl Cork at CWCork @ lbl.gov for more information.

"Physics and the Supernova Cosmology Project" (10:00 -12:00pm) Hakeem Oluseyi

Update your knowledge about the history and fate of the universe, dark energy and dark matter. There have been some exciting new discoveries led by LBNL scientists in the last decade. You will receive and discuss the newest wall chart, The History and Fate of the Universe, and explore hands-on activities that teach physics principles relevant to modern astrophysics studies. Email Hakeem M Oluseyi at HMOluseyi @ lbl.gov for more information.

"Energized Learning: An Activity Involving Science, Technology, and Society" (12:30 to 2:00 pm) Rollie Otto

LBNL is developing an interactive web-based energy calculator and home energy audit toolkit for students. This professional-level tool is used in predicting building performance, guiding design, and assisting policy makers around the world. The workshop will include experts from LBNL and classroom lessons and activities from the web. Email Rollie Otto at rjotto @ lbl.gov for more information.

 

Friday Afternoon Whirlwind Tours of Physics at LBNL (3:30-5:30pm)
Participants must register at
http://pdg.lbl.gov/aapt-aps

- National Center for Electron Microscopy - The world's highest resolution microscopes are centerpieces of the Molecular Foundry, LBNL's emerging nanoscience center.

- Advanced Light Source - The world's brightest source of soft x rays and far ultraviolet light. Tour the facility and learn about the science being done in many fields.

- SuperNova Acceleration Probe (SNAP) - The study of supernovae led to evidence that the universe is accelerating its expansion. Further research with the SNAP satellite will use supernovae to study dark energy.

Friday Evening Social

Join us for snacks and a soda and hear Andrei Linde of Stanford University, co-recipient of the 2002 Dirac Medal for Theoretical Physics speak on "Inflation, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe".

Saturday Featured Speakers

Joe Redish - University of Maryland, recipient of AAPT's Millikan Medal for notable and creative contributions to the teaching of physics. Joe's talk "Our Model of How a Student 'Works' -- Does it Matter for Teaching Physics?" will be informative to teachers of all levels.

Natalie Roe - Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, member of the BaBar Collaboration, which recently announced strong confirmation of CP violation and will talk about "What's the Matter with Antimatter?"

Call for Demonstrations

Bring your favorite 5-minute demonstration for the popular "Show 'n Tell". Handouts describing your demonstration are encouraged.

Dues and Don'ts

Section dues are $10 per year, due each Fall. If you cannot attend the meeting, remain an active member which will ensure you'll receive all our mailings by sending dues to our treasurer Dennis Buckley, Liberty High School, 850 Second St., Brentwood, CA 94513.

Upcoming Events

o Winter Meeting, National AAPT, Miami, FL, January 24-24, 2004
For more information, check it out online at: www.aapt.org

o Fall Meeting, NCNAAPT, LLNL/Los Positas College, March 26-27, 2004

o Summer Meeting, National AAPT, CSU Sacramento, July 29-August 4, 2004

Updated 9/23/03