MSUM Society of Physics Students

Joe Herbst, Sustainability Coordinator at the Office of Sustainability, talked with SPS members about interesting sustainable ideas to be utilized around campus. If a student has an idea that the Office of Sustainability might be interested in, or if it is related to sustainability, they can come talk to him and he can grant funding for the idea. These ideas would be utilized around campus to raise awareness of science – particularly the energy-conscious side of it.

Members also talked about the upcoming SPS Zone 11 Meeting (March 1 to March 2) here at MSUM.

The meeting focused on the upcoming Physics show on February 17, 2013.  It was decided that there would be two pre-event meetings, one on Saturday and one before the actual show, to ensure that the experiments could be done and would be possible for the demo show on February 17, 2013. SPS T-shirts were also sold to all members.

Members discussed potential experiments for the Physics Demo show. Larry Schwartz, the Collection Development Librarian at Livingston Lord Library, discussed accessing scientific articles and the Hagen Technical Library.

Members decided to meet every Thursday until March 1. The Physics demo show will be held on February 17 in SL 104 at 3:30 pm.

Folks, we will meet in Hagen 314 today at 5 pm.

This was the last official meeting before the semester ends. Members voted for a club t-shirt design and the MSUM SPS logo. Members discussed the club budget for the fiscal year 2013-14.

Scott will check and edit the constitution of the MSUM SPS as the Office of Student Activities at MSU-Moorhead requires the student organizations to turn in an updated version of the constitutions by the end of this semester. Members decided to perform the Physics Demo show on February 10. I’m taking care of publicity and media outreach part. Tyler talked about how members can get involved in the “College for Kids” program. Dr. Cabanela shared his views on applying to REU programs.

Dr. Shastri, Dr. Lindaas and Dr. Craig joined the Sigma Pi Sigma Physics Congress attendees this evening and shared their valuable experiences about how to make the most out of a professional meeting. Here comes some advices for the Sigma Pi Sigma Physics Congress 2012 attendees:
1. Ask a question(s) at the end of each session that you are planning to attend.
2. Try to meet with the professors and researchers of your own interest.
3. Networking means talking to people, get to know your peers and ask them how they are involved with the SPS chapters of their respective schools.
4. If you are presenting at the conference know your audience and prepare a few questions that one can potentially ask after you are done presenting.

The Sigma Pi Sigma Physics Congress attendees are departing Moorhead Wednesday afternoon (November 7) and flying out to Orlando Florida.

The MSUM SPS and the MSUM Planetarium are hosting the Spooky Science night this Saturday (October 27, 2012). Members talked about the demos that they will perform on Spooky Science Night. Chapter members picked March 1-3 weekend as the possible dates for hosting the Zonal meeting. Meredith, Pragalv and I are participating in the upcoming University Physics Challenge Competition during November 16-18 weekend.

Members talked about the color and design of the club T-shirt. They shared some good ideas,especially recommending to paint it in two colors (red and blue),which symbolizes the Doppler effect. Scarlet shared her thoughts about the upcoming Spooky Science Night. Members will probably be trying out a couple of the cool demos on this occasion, such as: “Comet making with dry ice”, “Playing with non-Newtonian Fluids” and others. Members think that the midweek of February will work the best for hosting a Physics Demo Show.