Spring Section Meeting Summary

April 10, 2021

The 2021 spring meeting was hosted virtually by the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Northern Colorado under the theme “Connecting Teachers in a Physically-Distant World.” We had 72 registrants, with a steady virtual presence of 35-45 people throughout the day – including undergraduate and graduate students, high school teachers, college and university faculty, and industry representatives. More than 70% of the presenters were women.

Below, we provide the slides or video presentations for some of the sessions:

• 2021 Meeting Presentation

Invited talks

• Mindfulness & Empathy in the Science Classroom, Nadene Klein (Daniel C. Oakes High School)
• Galactic black holes & the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physics, Dr. Mariana Lazarova (University of Northern Colorado)
• Effective traditional and virtual education outreach, Brian Jones (Little Shop of Physics, Colorado State University)

Contributed talks

• #LeadeshipGoals workshop, Nicole Schrode (SVVSD and PEER Physics) & Shannon Wachowski (Science & CTE Consultant at the Wyoming Department of Education and PEER Physics)
• A Question of Modalities, Suzanne Taylor (Western Colorado University)
• STeLLA: Science Teacher Learning from Lesson Analysis, Connie Hvidsten (BSCS)
• Raising the Bar in an Alternative Setting, Nadene Klein (Daniel C. Oakes High School)
• Exploring the Details of Rainbow Formation Using GeoGebra, David Chandler (Math Without Borders)
• Sensor Cart Physics (video), Roger Larson, (Educational Consultant for Vernier Software and Technology)
• Where do heavy R-process elements come from?, Caroline Leach (University of Denver)
• Teaching Waves with PEER Physics Open Source Resources for General Physics, Emily Quinty & Shelly Belleau (PEER Physics, CU Boulder)

Discussion activities

• What the heck is that?, Dr. Courtney Willis (Emeritus professor, University of Northern Colorado)
• DIY @ Home Demos, Dr. Mariana Lazarova (University of Northern Colorado)

Spring Section Meeting

April 29, 2017

The 2017 spring meeting was hosted by the Department of Physics at Colorado State University. The theme for the day was Teaching Physics and Sustainability, and there were a wide range of activities on this theme and physics in general. Over 50 people including high school and college instructors, members of industry, and students attended the meeting. Here are some highlights and links to slides/resources (where available):

Invited Talks

• Simple. Serious. Solvable. The 3 S’s of Climate Change, Scott Denning, Colorado State University
• The Status of Photovoltaic Cells and Panels, Jim Sites, Colorado State University
• The Great American Eclipse, Dr. Doug Duncan, CU Fiske Planetarium
• How Physics, Psychology, Philosophy, and Science Can Save All Mankind: A Humble Presentation, Dr. Craig A. Foster, United States Air Force Academy

Contributed Talks

• Inquiry-based Labs for Introductory Physics, Daniel Dale, University of Wyoming
• Mines-UNC Teacher Preparation Program TIR Update, Stephanie Fanselow
• Introduction to Modeling Instruction, Earl Legleiter, Legleiter Science Consulting

Student Posters

Activities

• Activities for Teaching About Climate and Climate Change, Brian Jones and Sheila Ferguson, Little Shop of Physics
• TEAM-UP for Physics: Lessons to Have In Your Back Pocket: exciting lessons for the end of the school year, Cherie Bornhorst
• Exploring Cosmology with the Perimeter Institute, Chris Nichols, Castle View High School
• Introductory Physics for Life Science Students Informal Discussion, Steve Iona
• The Little Shop of Physics Hands-on Science Experience  in the CSU Physics Teaching Labs, Fey Schnarr, Ana Lopez, McKenna Spillar, Damian Rupp, Max Meeks, Denny Heyrman, Heather Michalak, Brian Jones, Colorado State University

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring Section Meeting

April 23, 2016

The CO/WY AAPT  hosted a meeting at the University of Northern Colorado with over 50 people in attendance. The meeting was hosted by Section Vice President Wendy Adams. The theme this year was The Spectrum of Physics Education, referring the multitudes of approaches and levels to teaching and learning physics. Meeting highlights included a featured presentation of 30 Demos in 60 Minutes and a Keynote Talk Daniel Dale titled Studio Physics at the University of Wyoming.

Photos from the meeting can be found here.

Contributed Talks

• Possible Astronomy Major/Minor at MSU Denver
  Grant Denn
  Metropolitan State University Denver
• Nonlinear Dynamics
  Richard J. Krantz, Nick Hoen, & Julie Zimmerman
  Metropolitan State University Denver
• Learn more about the motion of a particle on different inclined surfaces under the influence of gravity.
  Masoud Asadi-Zeydabadi and Clyde Zaidins
  University of Colorado Denver
• Mines-UNC STEM Teacher Preparation Program
  Stephan Graham
  University of Northern Colorado
• The Sewing Machine and the Cadillac
  Courtney Willis
  University of Northern Colorado
• STEM Major’s Awareness of White and Male Privilege
  Melissa Dancy and Katherine Rainey
  University of Colorado at Boulder
• Sense of belonging and representation in STEM
  Katherine Rainey and Melissa Dancy University of Colorado at Boulder
• Preparing Students for a Flipped Learning with Worked Examples
  Dr. Kimberly de La Harpe
  United States Air Force Academy
• Observations from an “Outside the Gaussian Box” E&M Course
  Mark Mayer
  United States Air Force Academy
• Anatomy of an On-Line Physics Class
  Andrew Young
  Casper College
• Just-in-Time Teaching in Different Environments
  Tom Christensen
  University of Colorado, Colorado Springs

Workshops

• Teacher Candidate Panel – How to help us become great teachers
  Stephanie Fanselow
  University of Northern Colorado
• Advanced Labs Discussion
• Little Shop of Physics Infrared Exploration
  Adam Pearlstein
  Little Shop of Physics, Colorado State University

Posters

• Quantum Dot Nanostructure Fabrication Using DNA
  Alexander Lidiak and Zachary Blocker
  Physics and Astronomy, University of Northern Colorado
• Characterizing Student Ownership of Final Projects in an Upper-Division Physics Laboratory Course
  Laura Kiepura and Heather Lewandowski
  Department of Physics
  University of Colorado Boulder
• An Investigation of Atmospheric Re-entry
  Alexandra Briggs, Arick Sweitzer, Brock Loftus, JJ Peek, Ryan Angstead, Tre Tellez, Michael Nuzum, Taylor McMillan, Daniel Herrera, Stephen Lowery, Bryan Lopez, and Ryan Fabian
  University of Northern Colorado
• Atmospheric Re-entry Probe: Design and Integration
  Ryan Angstead, Alexandra Briggs, Brock Loftus, JJ Peek, Arick Sweitzer, and Tre Tellez
  University of Northern Colorado
• Developing a Model: Re-entry into the Earth’s Atmosphere
  Daniel Hererea, Stephen Lowery, Taylor McMillan, and Michael Nuzum
  University of Northern Colorado
• DemoSat: Modular Payload Design and Radiation Flux with Altitude
  Veronica Buchanan, Ryan Fabian, Josh Fender, Thanabordin Lausatianragit, Bryan Lopez, and Tre Tellez
  University of Northern Colorado
• Designing a Rover: COSGC Robotics Challenge
  James G. Harris, Uriel Aragon, Chad Garcia, Alec Helm, Cody Helms, Stefan Lamb, Casey Montoya, Seamus Severance, Carolyn Shaw, Matt Svetic, Brandon Williams, and Kourteney Zadina
  University of Northern Colorado
• Object Recognition and Artificial Intelligence
  Brandon Williams
  University of Northern Colorado
• Student Response to “Equality Through Awareness” Club at CSM
  Jessica Deters
  Colorado School of Mines
• Assessing Student Led Discussions About Underrepresented Groups in STEM
  Libby Booton
  Colorado School of Mines

 

AAPT National Meeting

July 26-29, 2015

The Colorado/Wyoming Section sponsored two Colorado undergraduate students to attend and present at the National AAPT Meeting in College Park, MD. The students will present on their experiences at our next section meeting.

Additionally, one of the students, Jasmine Knudsen, wrote a response paper to her experiences:

AAPT Response Paper

 

Spring Section Meeting

April 18, 2015

The CO/WY AAPT and the SPS Zone 14 organizers hosted a joint AAPT and SPS meeting at MSU Denver/UCD on the Auraria Campus with approximately 40 people in attendance. The meeting was hosted by Section Vice President Richard Krantz. In honor of the Year of Light, the theme for this meeting was Illuminating Physics Education. Doug Shepherd is on the faculty of CU Denver and he uses light to investigate bio-molecules. He presented our keynote talk, More than Just Pretty Pictures: Quantitative Imaging in Biology.

Other highlights included:

Contributed Talks

• Visual sensations during megavoltage radiotherapy due to Cherenkov radiation
  Masoud Asadi-Zeydabadi and Francis Newman – University of Colorado Denver
• Kits and engagements to develop practical knowledge needed for physics-based innovation
  Randall Tagg – Department of Physics, University of Colorado Denver
• Modeling a Satellite Microdosimeter
  James Heitmann – USAFA Class of 2015
  Collaborators: Lt Col Mario Serna, Capt Brett Castle, and Scott Alsid

• Facilitating Student Reflection in a Physics Class
  Dimitri R. Dounas-Frazer and Daniel L. Reinholz – Physics Dept. CU- Boulder
• Visualizing the Rotation of a Rigid Body
  Norm Hecht – Front Range Community College
• How optics can be used to understand the interplay between gene expression and cell structure
  Evan Shapiro – Department of Physics, University of Colorado Denver

Posters

• Acoustical Resonant Transmission in a 1D Duct
  Jasmine Knudsen – Department of Physics, Metropolitan State University of Denver
• Fluorescent Imaging: Insight into Biological Regulation at the Nanoscale
  Eric Rupert – Department of Physics, University of Colorado Denver

Check out our photos from the day!

Spring Section Meeting

April 12, 2014

This year’s spring meeting was hosted at CU Boulder in the new JILA Building by Section Vice President Bethany Wilcox, along with Katie Hinko and Prof. Steve Pollock. There were approximately 40 people in attendance and the keynote address was given by Nobel Laureate, Eric Cornell. Meeting highlights include:

Invited Talks

• Eric Cornell, How Symmetric is the Electron?
• Steve Pollock, PER@C: Physics Education Research at Colorado State University

Workshops and Presentations

• Mike Dubson’s Demo Show
• Hank Weigel and Jared Kruger, Project Based Inquiry Workshop
• Streamline to Mastery Workshop, Emilly Knapp and Shelly Belleau
• Private tour of the newly remodeled Fiske Planetarium by Director Doug Duncan

Contributed Talks

• Jeff Loats, Metropolitan State University Denver, Being a Scholarly Teacher
• Chuck Stone, Colorado School of Mines, Effective Activities Just Before Class
• Adrian Madsen, American Association of Physics Teachers, New Resources on the PER User’s Guide
• Scott Schankweiler, Mountain Range High School, The Flipped Classroom
• Brian Huang, SparkFun, Beyond Ohm’s Law: Ardunio/Physics/Maker Movement

 

Spring Section Meeting

April 20, 2013   This year’s spring meeting of the was held at Valor Christian High school on Saturday April 20, 2013.  This year attendance was over 50 teachers from 11 different colleges and 17 high schools.  Our keynote speaker was Steve Spangler, the founder of SteveSpanglerScience.com, who presented a talk titled “Exploding Soda & Flying Potatoes — Secrets to Creating Unforgettable Learning Experiences“.  Steve earned his credentials as an author, teacher, toy designer, and Emmy award-winning television personality.  The audience was inspired to not just be good Physics teachers but to be truly great teachers.   Teachers shared teaching pedagogies and demonstrations that excite and inspire students.  One of the highlights was watching a cinder block being smashed with at sledge hammer on top of two beds of nails with a teacher sandwiched between very pointed nails!  Steve Spangler and the speakers helped teachers to hone styles to turn ordinary moments into unforgettable learning experiences – the kind that kids talk about at the dinner table and remember for a lifetime. The complete meeting agenda can be found here (pdf) and here (docx) Other presentations included:

• Dr Gregor Novak, USAFA/IUPUI – Just-in-Time Teaching pedagogy
• Dr. Ariel Paul, CU Boulder – PhET
• Dr Danny Caballero, CU Boulder – Ubiquitous Professional Development with the Global Physics Department
• Jose Lopez, Rocky Mountain BEST Executive Director – The Boosting Engineering Science and Technology (BEST) Robotics Competition
• Wendy Adams, University of Northern Colorado – Productive and FUN use of lab time!
  • Labs available here
• Stephan Graham, Arrupe Jesuit High School – Literacy in Physics
• Brian Huang, Sparkfun – Using Arduino processors in the Physics Classroom
• Tom Spicer, Valor Christian High School – Using Model Rocketry to Teach Physics

 

Spring Section Meeting

April 28, 2012 We had a successful spring meeting, with approximately 30 participants in attendance. The meeting was hosted by Section Vice President Brian Huang, at the new Institute for Science and Technology at Overland High School in Aurora — a very impressive facility. The keynote address was give by Brian Jones and it was a reprise of his Millikan Medal Talk from the national AAPT meeting last summer, “All I Really Need to Know About Physics Education I Learned in Kindergarten” The complete meeting agenda can be found here (pdf) Other activities included:

• Chuck Stone talked about SOCKS science outreach kits from SPS
• Chris Nichols presented on the Perimeter Institute’s videos and activities
• Kathleen Hinko discussed an inquiry-based after school program through PISEC and CU Boulder
• Bethany Wilcox gave a talk titled “Cell Phones in the Classroom: Digital Distractions and Student Performance”
• Danny Caballero gave a talk titled “Computational Modeling: A tool we can teach”
• Cherie Bornhorst and Adam Pearlstein gave a talk about QuarkNet@CSU, a program to provide high school teachers experience in particle physics.
• Little Shop of Physics led a make and take workshop where participants had the opportunity to build cloud chambers, infrared goggles, diamagnetic levitation devices, and palm pipes. They also brought their Giant German Wheel.

Little Shop of Physics Open House

February 25, 2012 The 21st annual Little Shop of Physics Open House was  great success! The biggest one yet, with an estimated 8000 members of the public in attendance, surpassing the College of Liberal Arts graduation as the largest on-campus even at Colorado State University. Many section members participated in this event, which is free and open to the public.

 

Colorado Science Conference

November 18, 2011 The section was well represented at the Colorado Science Convention on November 18, 2011. Our members hosted several workshops, and we hosted a booth. During lunch, the section had a business meeting as members enjoyed pizza. The keynote speaker for the event was Bad Astronomy’s Phil Plait.

 

 

Brian Jones is awarded the Millikan Medal

July and August 2011 Long time section member and former President Brian Jones was awarded the Robert A. Millikan Medal at the national AAPT meeting in Omaha Nebraska. Brian’s talk, titled , All I Need to Know about Physics Education I Learned in Kindergarten was presented in a packed auditorium to an audience dressed in tie dye shirts. Tie dye is the uniform of Little Shop of Physics, an outreach program which Brian Jones directs. http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/16391637 http://www.aapt.org/aboutaapt/Brian-Jones-To-Be-Awarded-2011-Robert-A-Millikan-Medal.cfm