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Physics Theorynet meeting, September 27,
2008,
Room 218 DA, Northeastern University, Boston minutes/action
items:
---------------------- Attending
Participating Teachers:
Rick Dower, Roxbury Latin School
Jesus Hernandez, Lawrence H.S. Michael Hirsh, Needham H.S. Nancy Najmi, Reading H.S. Farhad Riahi, Commonwealth School of Boston Chris Thomas, Reading H.S. Mike Wadness, Medford H.S. Participating Theorists:
Albion Lawrence, Brandeis
Brandon Murakami, Rhode Island College, Providence RI Ken Olum, Tufts Tomasz Taylor, Northeastern Regrets:
Per Berglund, University of New Hampshire
Jose Juan Blanco-Pillado, Tufts Scott Goelzer, Coe-Brown Northwood Academy (NH) Brent Nelson, Northeastern Nick Nicastro, Wachusett Regional High School, Holden Xi Yin, Harvard 1. (Re)introductions: We welcome two new teachers, Nancy Najmi and Chris Thomas from Reading H.S. Nancy has already interacted with Larry Ford (Tufts). She is looking forward to hosting
physicists on a more regular
basis. We also have two new theorists: Brandon Murakami from Rhode Island
College and Xi Yin from
Harvard, both starting Assistant Professors in the Fall.
2. Update on high-school visits since last meeting in May
2008:
Albion visited Needham H.S. (Michael Hirsh) for a Q&A session. Tom visited Wachusett R.H.S. (Nick Nicastro) with a general talk on elementary particles.
Jose visited Medford H.S. (Mike Wadness) several times. 3. Flyers and Advertising: Flyers are ready for distribution. There was a
discussion what is the
most effective way of advertising Theorynet. After the meeting, Ken
suggested a massive campaign by
using teachers' mailing lists. For the moment, flyers will be distributed
by Scott at Lowell
meeting and at the Fall NES APS/AAPT meeting at UMass Boston. We will see
what is the response and
plan accordingly. Brandon Murakami, new Assistant Professor at Rhode Island
College, will try to
recruit teachers from Providence area -- if he succeeds, we will contact
Brown University to supply
more theorists and will start a southbound expansion.
4. NES APS/AAPT Meeting. Tom gave an update on the 2009 NES AAPT/APS Spring
Conference
(Northeastern, May 8-9, 2009). See http://neu.edu/nesaps/nesaps.pdf for
the latest info. We have a
first-class lineup of plenary speakers, so if properly advertised, this
conference may become a big
hit just when the LHC wakes up from winter hibernation. Tom asked for help
with organizing
teachers' workshops -- please make concrete proposals as soon as possible,
to nesaps neu edu (Tom
will use this address for all related business).
5. Demonstration equipment: contact Mike Wadness for cloud chambers and the
electron diffraction
tube. Ken mentioned the availability of Tufts' radio telescope for
students' projects constructing the galaxy rotation curves (evidence for dark
matter) -- please contact him if interested. Farhad suggested purchasing a Van
der Graff generator.
6. Pairings:
Rick Dower -- Albion Lawrence
Scott Goelzer -- Per Berglund Jesus Hernandez -- Xi Yin Michael Hirsh -- Brent Nelson Brandon Murakami will recruit teacher(s) from Providence RI area Nancy Najmi/Chris Thomas -- Tom Taylor Nick Nicastro -- Tom Taylor Farhad Riahi -- Ken Olum Michael Wadness -- Jose Juan Blanco-Pillado 7. The next meeting is (tentatively) scheduled for January 17,
2009.
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