Month: May 2015

AAPT Idaho-Utah Section report spring 2015

The annual meeting of the Idaho-Utah section of the American Association of Physics Teachers was held March 13-14 at Snow College in Ephraim, Utah. The ever-popular demonstration show was held Friday night and was attended by over 200 people.  A short video compilation (thanks to Snow College!) is available here: https://snow.mediaspace.kaltura.com/media/aapt_event/0_9sg0w43a/13823862

Saturday held a full season of talks and activities, highlighted by a report from the Governor of Utah’s advisor for science education, Tami Pyfer. About 50 people participated in the conference, which was organized by Larry Smith, the current vice-president of the section, who did a fantastic job. A copy of the program is attached below.

Of particular interest was the business meeting, in which Brian Pyper was re-elected as Section Representative and Adam Beehler was elected as president-elect in absentia and in anticipation of his organizing the section meeting in two years at the University of Utah. This means the current spate of officers is: Katie Devine (CofI) – Past President, Larry Smith (Snow College) – President, Steve Shropshire (ISU) – Vice President, Adam Beehler (UofU) – President-Elect and Treasurer, and Brian Pyper (BYUI) – Section Representative. The section meeting will be held in Pocatello next year hosted by Steve Shropshire.

Rondo Jefferies from Weber State graciously sent me a note listing the history of the section meetings going back to 1983 when the section was founded. I’ve posted it below.

– Brian Pyper

section representative

March 2015

Program:

Friday, March 13th

4:00 – 6:00 PM                 Registration                                  Huntsman Library Lobby

6:00 – 7:15 PM                 Dinner                                              LDS Institute Pavilion

                                             (included in registration fee)

7:30 – 9:00 PM                 Physics Demo Night                    Huntsman Library Auditorium

                                             (free to the public)

Saturday, March 14th

8:00 – 9:00 AM                 Registration                                     Huntsman Library Lobby

9:00 – 9:10 AM               Welcome                                           Huntsman Library Auditorium

9:15 – 10:15 AM             Talk Session I                                        Huntsman Library Auditorium

10:15 – 10:30 AM          Snack Break                                      Huntsman Library Lobby

10:30 – 12:00 PM           Talk Session II                                      Huntsman Library Auditorium

12:00 – 12:05 PM              Group Photo                                        Plaza in front of Huntsman Library

12:05 – 1:00 PM                 Lunch                                                 Noyes Bldg, Founders Hall

                                            (included in registration fee)

12:30 – 12:50 PM              AAPT Business Meeting                       Noyes Bldg, Founders Hall

                                            Raffle/Prizes

12:50 – 1:10 PM              Poster Session                                    Noyes Bldg, Founders Hall

1:15 –2:45 PM                  Talk Session III                                     Huntsman Library Auditorium

1:15 –2:15 PM                  “Build-It” session                              SCNCE 326

Build a penny vaporizer and get a lesson plan (for HS teachers only)

2:15 – 3:15 PM                 Planetarium Open House            Noyes Bldg, Founders Hall

Lynn Lindsay, Emeritus and Adjunct Professor of Astronomy and Mathematics