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SWOSU PHYSICS AND ENGINEERING CLUB

Events Sponsored by SWOSU SPS for the 2008–2009 academic year

Mark your calendars! The physics club will hold regularly scheduled meetings on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Regular scheduled meetings will be in CPP103 and will start at 7:00 PM unless otherwise stated. In addition there will be other scheduled meetings as well. Check this page, the main physics club page or better yet email Dr. Stein to be placed on the physics club email list. Dr. Stein periodically sends out emails to keep club members informed about what is happening.

News

New Freshmen Welcome: (August 4)
We invited our new Freshman to learn about the club and enjoy free pizza. Attendance was good. We had 8 new students attend plus a handful of the physics club officers. Most of the students stayed for the tour of the building. We spend a some time discussing physics club events including the upcoming Hamburger Fry.
Hamburger Fry (Tuesday September 2)
Come one, come all to celebrate the beginning of a new semester with the physics faculty. Free hamburgers, chips, pop and maybe a dessert or two will be served. Food will be served hot off of the grill starting at 6:30 PM outside on the South lawn of the CPP building.
The Hamburger Fry was well attended. Thirty students, faculty and family enjoyed a good meal on a gorgeous summer day.
Paper rocket launch-off :  (Tuesday, September 16, 6:00 PM, CPP-103)
The paper rocket launch-off went very well. We launced around a dozen or so rockets multiple times. The event was well attended with around eight people building and launching rockets. Two of them even landed on the roof of Stewart Hall. We did not beat last years record for distance, though.
Paper Rocket Launch:  Why do rockets need fins? Design your own rocket and find out!  We'll build paper rockets and launch them to amazing heights using compressed air. (Note the early time so that we can have some light to launch with.)
T-shirt Design and Fall Trip planning (October 7)
We settled on a design for this years t-shirt. The front says simply SWOSU Engineering Physics. The back says Eat Sleep Physics with appropriate (and well designed) icons for each above the words. Jonathan Keahey (SPS Secretary) designed the t-shirt and will be awarded with a free t-shirt for his effort. Thanks Jonathan!
We did not settle on an exact date for the Fall Trip. Although I think we are leaning toward having it on a Friday soon. I am in the process of setting up an exact date to visit graduate programs at OU in physics and petroleum engineering. See here for details soon
We are using our first regularly scheduled meeting for October to design our physics club t-shirts (used for physics day) and to finish up planning for our Fall Trip to OU. The meeting will start at 7 PM in CPP 103. Bring your t-shirt design ideas. The winning design will win a free t-shirt.
Observatory Session for Physics Club Members (October 21)
Around ten people joined us to observe the stars on a spectacular night. Jupiter put on an amazing show with all of its moons. We also observed Venus, the Andromeda Galaxy, and beautiful double star Albireo. Unfortunately, we had to cut the observation session a little short because of technical difficulties with the telescope. It was a successful session nonetheless.
The physics club will sponsor an observation session for members on Tuesday October 21. We will meet at the observatory at 7:30 PM. Students who do not have rides please be at CPP103 at 7:00 PM sharp. More information about the observatory including a map can be found at the following web site: http://swosu.edu/physics/astronomy/observatory.asp
Halloween Party (October 28)
This years Halloween party will be on Tuesday October 28 starting at 7 PM in CPP103 and will feature a movie (to be announced) to be chosen by our vice-president Justin Silkwood. Pizza will be served. Don't miss out.
Physics Day Training sessions (November 4)
All those who volunteered to help out with physics day need to be trained to use the demonstration equipment. I will hold a training session on Tuesday November 4 at 7:00 PM in CPP103.
Physics Day (Thursday November 6 in the morning)
We invite area high schools to lend us their physics students for a day so we demonstrate to them the joy of physics. Physics day is held on the first Thursday of November. This year's physics day is scheduled for November 6, 2008. SWOSU physics student volunteers will be needed to help from 8:15 AM until noon.
Volunteers needed for physics day
Please volunteer by signing the sheet outside of CPP103, as soon as possible.
Volunteers are needed from all levels of engineering physics.
This year, Physics Day is on Thursday November 6 from 8:30 AM until 12 noon.
For a short description of physics day including pictures from last year see http://swosu.edu/students/orgs/physclub/pictures.htm#physicsday.
Physics Day Training sessions (November 4)
All those who volunteered to help out with physics day need to be trained to use the demonstration equipment. I will hold a training session on Tuesday November 4 at 7:00 PM in CPP103.
Physics Day (Thursday November 6 in the morning)
We invite area high schools to lend us their physics students for a day so we demonstrate to them the joy of physics. Physics day is held on the first Thursday of November. This year's physics day is scheduled for November 6, 2008. SWOSU physics student volunteers will be needed to help from 8:15 AM until noon.
Thanks to everyone who volunteered, physics day went very well this year.
Dr. Tony Stein Speaks about Scholarship and Research opportunities at SWOSU (November 18, 2008)
Come learn about all the opportunities that SWOSU provides for engineering physics majors and physic club members. Dr. Stein will speak about scholarships, spring banquet, departmental jobs, and physics research sponsored by our chapter of the SPS. Freshmen in particular should be able to benefit from this meeting which is scheduled for 7:00 PM in CPP 103.
We had a strong turn-out of upper level students, but not as many freshmen as I had hoped. For those of you who could not make it because of schedule conflicts here is a quick summary of the main points. Scholarships: Each year the physics division awards a number of scholarships with a typical value of $1000. Scholarships are based on need and academic performance. Funding for these scholarships comes from donations from our alumni (which are greatly appreciated). Applications are available in the middle of the spring semester. If you are going to be here as an engineering physics major next year and you are not a total slouch then you have a good chance of getting at least some support for next year. Spring Banquet: Each year in April, the physics division celebrates the accomplishments of its students and alumni at our Spring Banquet. We hand out scholarships and awards for leadership and academic excellence. In addition, we induct new members into sigma pi sigma (the physics honor society). All SPS members and engineering physics majors are strongly encouraged to show their support for their fellow students (and themselves) by attending this banquet. Departmental Jobs: All SPS (Physics Club) members are strongly encouraged to apply for departmental jobs. (Applications are accepted at the beginning of each semester.) Department jobs are not just about the money. (You will be paid, but not that much per hour.) Money may be the least important part about the jobs. Departmental jobs give you valuable experience tutoring and helping with labs. Just as important it helps us write stronger and broader letters of recommendation. An added benefit is that it will be a lot more exciting then flipping burgers. SPS research We also discussed current research projects at SWOSU, which mostly focus on lightning, and how to get the physics club (our SPS chapter) more involved in the research. We showed some of the equipment we use including a (homemade) electric field detector and a low light camera we use to measure sprite lightining. If you have any questions about these then please see Dr. Stein.
Physics Holiday Party is on Saturday, December 13 at 6:00 PM at Dr. Goforth's House
The physics department will have their annual Holiday potluck dinner and dirty santa extravaganza on the weekend during finals week. This Year's Holiday Party will be at Dr. Goforth's home at 6:00 PM on Saturday December 13. We will provide enough turkey and ham for all. Bring a side dish. We will have a dirty santa gift exchange afterwards so bring a 'gift' (under $5 please—cheaper gifts often work better).

Get On Our E-mail List

Would you like to get e-mail notices about upcoming events?  Add your name to our e-mail list.  It's easy!  Just send a message to our sponsor (Dr. Tony Stein) and you'll always know what the Physics and Engineering Club will be doing.

General Information and History

The SWOSU Physics and Engineering Club is Southwestern's chapter of the Society of Physics Students, the student affiliate society of the American Institute of Physics.  Its purpose is to promote interest in and public education about physics, engineering, and related topics. Membership is open to any SWOSU student.

The SWOSU Physics and Engineering Club is a vital, active organization and has been named an SPS Outstanding Chapter 19 times.   Activities include professional, developmental, educational, and social events.