Bulletin of the American Physical Society
Annual Meeting of the APS Four Corners Section
Volume 60, Number 11
Friday–Saturday, October 16–17, 2015; Tempe, Arizona
Session K7: Education V: Student leadership for increasing access to physics: Access Network programs |
Hide Abstracts |
Chair: Joel Corbo, Arizona State University Room: PSA107 |
Saturday, October 17, 2015 1:12PM - 1:36PM |
K7.00001: The Berkeley Compass Project: "A Ground-Breaking" Summer Program Invited Speaker: Bradford A. Barker The Berkeley Compass Project is a dynamic student-led program to support students in the physical sciences. The cornerstone of Compass is the Summer Program, a one- to two-week intensive camp for incoming freshman. The camp is centered around a course designed and taught by Berkeley graduate students who use innovative pedagogical principles and techniques to design a novel curriculum. The theme of the 2015 Compass Summer Program curriculum was, ``What aspects of an earthquake would scientists like to predict?" I will describe the curriculum and activities of this year's program, which involved considerable amounts of sand, carrots, and gelatin. [Preview Abstract] |
Saturday, October 17, 2015 1:36PM - 2:00PM |
K7.00002: Cultivating Inclusive Communities in Physics: What CU-Prime has Learned So Far Invited Speaker: Benjamin Pollard CU-Prime is a student-run organization whose goal is to increase inclusion in the Physics Department at the University of Colorado Boulder, especially for women, people of color, first-generation students, and other underrepresented minorities. Founded in 2013, CU-Prime has grown into a vibrant organization offering three distinct programs to undergraduates: a talk series, a one-credit class, and a mentorship program. Our talks consist of interactive presentations illustrating the process of scientific inquiry and current research, while our class provides early opportunities to engage in that process. Our mentorship program aims to provide long-term support for students in an friendly environment. Fueled by the dedication of undergraduate and graduate student organizers, as well as by the support of a few key administrators, CU-Prime has become an established entity in the department and on campus. CU-Prime is also one of the founding organizations of the Access Network, a new organization for collaboration between similar programs across the nation. While CU-Prime is still new and constantly improving, several lessons are emerging that could benefit similar programs and efforts. We have discovered an abundance of goodwill in the general physics student population, and have been successful in translating volunteers’ motivation into significant investments of time. However, turning that investment into programs that benefit underrepresented populations has required research, iteration, and guidance. The average physics student lacks expertise for effective outreach and mentoring, which presents a unique opportunity to improve ourselves and the future leaders of our discipline. For example, regular workshops for program leaders have enabled us to more effectively coach talk speakers and mentors in how to effectively serve diverse populations. We are discovering that reaching out to students at all levels of study, including those who are overrepresented, is essential in the process of cultural change and making a lasting impact on the culture of physics. [Preview Abstract] |
Saturday, October 17, 2015 2:00PM - 2:24PM |
K7.00003: The Sundial Project: Building a Sustainable Science Community Invited Speaker: Alyssa Adams Sundial is a student-lead organization at Arizona State University that fosters diversity, community, and support for all students who have an interest in the physical sciences. Student retention is a priority, and all of Sundial's efforts are aimed at creating a positive and encouraging community for everyone involved. This is facilitated through embracing a large diversity of backgrounds and perspectives in order to create a sustainable diverse community. During this discussion, we will share how Sundial works to meet these goals. This includes a summer bridge program for incoming freshmen, a mentoring class during the fall and spring semesters, and student-lead committees for various activities. Throughout the summer, continuing students build a program that acclimates incoming freshmen to the various aspects of college life, both inside and outside of academia. Freshmen are introduced to the scientific process as scientists experience it, through observation and discussion. This mentality is reiterated throughout Sundial's academic activities throughout the year to create a sense of participation in current research. The mentoring program aims to strengthen bonds between students, creating a strong sense of community. It also promotes career development, opportunities to participate in science outreach, and scientific research. To accommodate multiple student leadership opportunities, Sundial's body is composed of several committees, each with a different goal. Committees are created by members who seek to propel Sundial's goals in various ways throughout the many avenues of college life. [Preview Abstract] |
Follow Us |
Engage
Become an APS Member |
My APS
Renew Membership |
Information for |
About APSThe American Physical Society (APS) is a non-profit membership organization working to advance the knowledge of physics. |
© 2024 American Physical Society
| All rights reserved | Terms of Use
| Contact Us
Headquarters
1 Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740-3844
(301) 209-3200
Editorial Office
100 Motor Pkwy, Suite 110, Hauppauge, NY 11788
(631) 591-4000
Office of Public Affairs
529 14th St NW, Suite 1050, Washington, D.C. 20045-2001
(202) 662-8700