PTM: II - Education and Outreach

Education and Outreach

The third day of the conference, April 7, 2005, was set aside as PTM Education Day. The goal for this day was to inspire today’s students to become the physicists and scientists of tomorrow. Bringing the lecturers together with students and teachers helped to achieve this goal. Activities planned for the day included a poster session, a luncheon with a keynote address, and a Hands-On Demonstrations Expo which was open to the general public.

Poster Session: 9:00 am – 11:00 am

The poster session consisted of 4th grade physics-related art posters, physics/physical science projects from the Alabama Science and Engineering Fair, and undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral student research posters presented during the first two days of the conference.

Luncheon: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

The buffet luncheon was designed to be a relaxed venue for students, teachers, and lecturers to come together. Many of the lecturers from the first two days participated and ate lunch with the students and teachers.

Panel Discussion: 1:15 pm – 2:15 pm

The topic for the panel discussion was careers in physics and physics-related fields. The panel consisted of several physicists who discussed their careers and the path they took to get to where they are today. Nobel Laureate Prof. Leon Lederman served as one of the panel members.

Book Signing: 2:30 pm – 3:00 pm

The keynote speaker and members of the panel discussion are authors of several books. This time was set aside for luncheon attendees to meet the authors and have their books autographed.

Hands-On Demonstrations Expo: 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

This portion of the day was open to the general public. Physics and physics-related demonstrations and activities were set up in the exhibit hall. Attendees were able to walk through the hall and participate in the demonstrations and activities. Handouts were provided so participants could recreate the activity at home or in the classroom. Students from area Boys and Girls Clubs and the local YMCA after school programs were invited to participate.

Pre-college teachers who attended the conference were given a certificate of attendance to use toward Continuing Education Units (CEUs).


		Education and Outreach The third day of the conference, April 7, 2005, was set aside as PTM Education Day. The goal for this day was to inspire today’s students to become the physicists and scientists of tomorrow. Bringing the lecturers together with students and teachers helped to achieve this goal. Activities planned for the day included a poster session, a luncheon with a keynote address, and a Hands-On Demonstrations Expo which was open to the general public. Poster Session: 9:00 am – 11:00 am The poster session consisted of 4th grade physics-related art posters, physics/physical science projects from the Alabama Science and Engineering Fair, and undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral student research posters presented during the first two days of the conference. Luncheon: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm The buffet luncheon was designed to be a relaxed venue for students, teachers, and lecturers to come together. Many of the lecturers from the first two days participated and ate lunch with the students and teachers. Panel Discussion: 1:15 pm – 2:15 pm The topic for the panel discussion was careers in physics and physics-related fields. The panel consisted of several physicists who discussed their careers and the path they took to get to where they are today. Nobel Laureate Prof. Leon Lederman served as one of the panel members. Book Signing: 2:30 pm – 3:00 pm The keynote speaker and members of the panel discussion are authors of several books. This time was set aside for luncheon attendees to meet the authors and have their books autographed. Hands-On Demonstrations Expo: 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm This portion of the day was open to the general public. Physics and physics-related demonstrations and activities were set up in the exhibit hall. Attendees were able to walk through the hall and participate in the demonstrations and activities. Handouts were provided so participants could recreate the activity at home or in the classroom. Students from area Boys and Girls Clubs and the local YMCA after school programs were invited to participate. Pre-college teachers who attended the conference were given a certificate of attendance to use toward Continuing Education Units (CEUs).