Western Kentucky University's Society of Physics Students

Each year the WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy recognizes three students who have excelled in areas of scholarship, research, and service.  The recipients of these awards for the 2011-2012 academic year are Owen Gaulle, Jason Leszczewicz, and Jessica Hall.  These students will be recognized at the annual Ogden Student Awards ceremony on Sunday, April 21, at 2:00 PM at the Carroll Knicely Center.  Please take a moment to congratulate these students if you have an opportunity.

Dr. George V. and Sadie Skiles Page Award for Excellence in Scholarship*

Awarded to the graduating Physics major with the highest academic standing.

Owen Thomas Gaulle

Owen, a senior physics major, has excelled in the classroom while also being very active in research.  He worked with Dr. Louis Strolger on the WKU High Altitude Research Platform designing, constructing, and launching scientific payloads for high altitude ballooning.  Owen has received the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) stipend for 3 consecutive years.  He was accepted for two consecutive summers at the University of Alabama at Huntsville REU program where he worked with different researchers at the Center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research.  He was awarded the best undergraduate poster in Natural Sciences at the 41st Annual WKU Student Research Conference and received a Faculty-Undergraduate Student Engagement (FUSE) grant.  Owen is a member of the WKU Society of Physics Students, the National Society of Black Physicists, and serves as the Chief Payload Engineer for the WKU Rocket Team.

Dr. Randall Harper Award for Outstanding Research in Physics and Astronomy*

Awarded to the junior or senior student with research exhibiting significance, effort, originality, and creativity.

Jason John Leszczewicz

Jason Leszczewicz, a senior physics major with minors in astronomy and mathematics, works with Dr. Edward Kintzel as an undergraduate research assistant at the NOVA Center.  Jason receives this award for work that he performed involving the creation and analysis of ultrathin molecular films of copper phthalocyanin (CuPc).  Jason also serves as President for the Society of Physics Students and active in the Hilltopper Astronomy Club. He recently organized a student trip to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama and spent his spring break doing research at Marshall Space Flight Center. Two summers ago, Jason worked to design, construct, and test a trebuchet that he demonstrated at Physics Public Night and high school visits. Jason also has played a major role in the Physics Olympics, Science Olympiad, and Girls in Science events and is a member of the WKU Rocket Team.

Dr. Douglas Humphrey Award for Outstanding Service*

Awarded to the junior or senior student with a record of service within the department and to science outreach to the community.

Jessica Catharine Hall

Jessica, a junior with majors in Physics and Chemistry, receives the Humphrey service award because of the overall good citizenship she portrays in her interactions with faculty and students in the department.  She has been very active in the WKU Chapter of the Society of Physics Students, serving terms as secretary, president-elect, and next year as president.  Jessica routinely assists with departmental outreach events such as Physics Olympics and the Science Olympiad.  In addition, Jessica has performed research in both Physics and Chemistry, working on development of nanotechnology-based sensors for asymmetric explosive threat prevention with Dr. Dobrokhotov and with Dr. Matthew Nee of Chemistry.

*Award made through the efforts of the College Heights Foundation.

• The banquet date was set to May 3^rd.  Cambridge market is the most likely venue, but concrete details will be available soon.
• A trip to the NRAO was discussed for fall break of next semester.  Fundraising could begin now to raise the money for the trip.
• Possible fundraising options are a 10% night at Stakz where we are there and do some demos for the public as well as other venues that do 10% nights.  Contact an officer with any ideas.

As was announced in yesterday’s colloquium, the faculty have extended the deadline for students to apply for the Randall Harper Award for Outstanding Research in Physics and Astronomy.  If you are a physics major with at least junior standing and have completed at least one presentation of your research (oral or poster, even at the WKU Student Research Conference) then you should apply for this award.  The selected recipient will receive a framed certificate and a check for $100 from the WKU Research Foundation along with the prestige of being able to identify this accomplishment on your curriculum vitae forever.

To apply, you simply need to prepare a one page essay that describes your research with specific emphasis on your contribution to the project.  Application forms and examples of prior winning applications can be found at www.wku.edu/physics/resources.php.   Feel free to ask your faculty mentor for advise in writing the essay.

Completed applications should be submitted to Richard Gelderman or Doug Harper via email no later than Thursday, April 4 at noon.

The heliophysics research group at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) invites applications for a Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates program. Ten students will be selected to engage in cutting edge heliophysics research with astrophysicists from either UAH or NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. Research projects in this program include theory, modeling, computer simulations, data analysis and instrument design. Applicants should be full-time, undergraduate students with a GPA of 2.5 or better and majoring in science, technology, engineering, or mathematical (STEM) fields. Students must be US citizens or green card holders in order to be considered for this program. Rising sophomores, women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

The 2013 summer program will run from May 20 – July 26, 2013.  Successful applicants will receive a stipend, housing, meal card, and travel allowance. Application must be complete by March 30,2013. For more information and on-line applications, please visit the website at http://www.uah.edu/cspar/research/reu .

At this month’s SPS meeting, the club brainstormed these ideas for outreach for physics public nights.

• Club members could take an active role in staring science clubs at local high schools, including nudging teachers toward starting them, or doing demos and becoming more of a part of the science club.
• Whether we use science clubs or not, connection with high schools is very important for the success of the public nights.
• We will contact Rachel Campbell and current planetarium staff members to ask about public relations.
• We could contact the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce and the WKU SGA.
• We could advertise on WKU’s campus radio station and news shows.
• We will explore the possibility of doing a demonstration on Bowling Green’s morning shows.

The trip to NRAO generated too little interest for the cost of the trip, so President Jason Leszcsewicz will discuss the possibility of a trip to Oak Ridge National Laboratory with Dr. Kintzel. The NRAO trip is still a possibility for the fall semester of 2013.

We have an opportunity to do a demonstration at Lincoln Elementary School during a school day; Jason and President-Elect Jessica Hall were available during the open times to go. The exact date and time are still to be determined.

On March 16, there is a meeting at Elizabethtown Community College of Kentucky Physics Educators. Those interested in attending (SKy-Teach students should consider) are encouraged to contact Dr. Andrew.

The SPS picnic has been moved to April 6, and will be at Keriakes Park. The SPS banquet is scheduled for the last Friday of classes; the time will be set as the date approaches.

I look forward to seeing everyone at the next meeting on March 28.

Jamey Yadon, Secretary

Paid internships with NASA are still available for the summer. Applications should be submitted as soon as possible.  The deadline is March 15, 2013.  Scholarships and fellowships for the coming academic year are also available.

Students can complete a single application and submit to any NASA Center or Facility using the website https://intern.nasa.gov/ossi/ . Eligible disciplines/majors include Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Business, Public Affairs, Education, and Architecture.  Undergraduate and graduate students are eligible, including high school seniors who have been accepted into a college program for Fall 2013 enrollment.

See https://intern.nasa.gov/ for additional information.

I have been contacted by someone who is looking for a tutor for introductory physics at Bowling Green Technical College.  If you are interested in this opportunity please contact me at doug.harper@wku.edu and I will provide you with contact information for the student.

Thanks,

Doug Harper

The Ogden College Career Fair is Wednesday, February 27th from 10:00am-1:00pm. Employers will be set up in the following areas:

• EST 2nd floor
• Snell Hallways 1 & 2
• EBS 2nd floor

This is a great chance to network with employers about internships and full-time employment opportunities. Below is a current list of registered employers. Registration continues, so bring extra copies of your resume and be sure to visit all hallways to see every employer attending.

• BGMU – http://www.bgmu.com/index.cgi
• SCA – http://www.sca.com/
• Farm Credit Mid-America – http://www.e-farmcredit.com/
• Altec Industries – http://www.altec.com/
• Delta Faucet Company – http://www.deltafaucetcompany.com/
• LG & E and KU – http://www.lge-ku.com/
• Logan Aluminum – http://www.logan-aluminum.com/
• J.M. Smucker Company – http://www.smuckers.com/family_company/about_us/default.aspx
• HMB Professional Engineers, Inc. – http://www.hmbconsultants.com/about.htm
• Crop IMS – http://www.cropims.com/CropIMS/default.aspx
• GSKyTeach – http://www.wku.edu/gskyteach/how_it_works.php
• Bridgestone – http://www.bridgestone.com/jobs/
• H&R Agri-Power – http://www.hragripower.com/careers.php
• US Air Force – http://www.airforce.com/careers/
• Chemical & Industrial Engineering (C&I Engineering) – http://www.cieng.com/
• Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems, Inc. – http://www.sewsus.com/welcome.html
• General Motors – http://www.gm.com/
• DuPont Pioneer – http://www.pioneer.com/home/site/about
• Alltech Inc. – http://www.alltechinc.net/
• Boardwalk Pipeline Partners – http://www.bwpmlp.com/
• Crop Production Services – http://www.cpsagu.com/
• The Davey Tree Expert Co. – http://www.davey.com/about/jobs.aspx
• HeathCo LLC – http://www.heath-zenith.com/aboutus.htm
• Vectren Corporation – https://www.vectren.com/web/index.jsp
• University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service – http://ces.ca.uky.edu/ces/
• Wheat Tech, Inc. – http://www.wheattech.com/
• Span Tech, LLC – http://www.spantechllc.com/
• Kentucky Copper, Inc – http://www.kentuckycopper.com/

If you need assistance preparing your resume or knowing what to do at or how to dress for the job fair, WKU Career Services Center staff are available to help:

• Monday, Feb. 11, EBS 2134 from 11:30-1:30pm
• Tuesday, Feb. 12, EBS 2134 from 3:00-4:30pm
• Tuesday, Feb. 19, EST lobby from 9:30am-11:30am
• Wednesday, Feb. 20 EST lobby from Noon – 2pm

The Department of Physics & Astronomy at Ball State University invites highly qualified and motivated undergraduate students or individuals interested in graduate study for a master’s degree in physics to apply for a graduate assistantship for the 2013-2014 Academic Year.  This assistantship will allow the recipient to pursue a full-time course of study leading to the Master of Science degree in physics. Assistantships may be renewed for a second year following satisfactory student performance.  Additional information is available at www.bsu.edu/physics/masters.  All application materials, including three letters of recommendation, must be on file by March 1 to receive full consideration. The stipend will be at least $13,084 for the academic year plus a tuition waiver. Additional support may be available during the summer semester.

Two research assistantships in nanoscience will be available.  RA’s will have the opportunity to participate in cutting edge research in either electronic structure theory or electron transport through nanostructures and to interact with faculty and students in the department’s Center for Computational Nanoscience. (www.bsu.edu/ccn)

BSU typically fills four teaching assistantships each year.  TA’s serve as tutors, graders and lab assistants for undergraduate courses in physics and/or astronomy.  Students in these positions are free to pursue research topics consistent with the expertise of any research active faculty member in the department.  Research areas of graduate faculty members include astronomy, astrophysics, nuclear physics, elementary particle physics, medical physics, physics education as well as theoretical, computational and experimental nanoscience.

Recent BSU graduates have been accepted into Ph. D. programs in physics, astronomy, and engineering and in medical physics graduate programs.  Other graduates have been hired as educators in junior colleges, museums, planetariums and as laboratory technicians.

If you have questions after reviewing the online information noted above, you may contact Dr. Thomas Jordan.