Welcome to the Webpage for the Oregon Chapter of the American Association of Physics Teachers (ORAAPT)

We added a new feature in November 2011 based on a request made at the Oct meeting - this discussion board is for Oregon physics teachers to post questions and discussions relevant to physics teaching: Discussion Board for Oregon Physics Teachers

• Meetings
• Resources
• Physics Teachers in Oregon
• Oregon Section Officers
• Oregon AAPT History
• Constitution
• National AAPT
• SummerCohort

Next Meeting:

Spring 2012 ORAAPT Meeting will be held Saturday March 10th at Oregon State University, mark your calenders!

General Announcements and Events:

• Please join us for a celebration of the life of Gertrude Rempfer, PhD (1912 - 2011). Dr. Rempfer, professor emerita of physics and environmental science, passed away on October 4th. Dr. Rempfer retired in 1977 but continued to conduct cutting-edge research in photoelectron microscopy in her PSU lab as recent as three weeks before her death.
  • Dr. Gertrude Rempfer Celebration of Life
  • Tuesday, November 29, 4:30-6:00pm
  • Portland State University
  • Smith Memorial Student Union Ballroom
  • 1825 SW Broadway
  • Portland OR 97201
  • Please RSVP to Paul Mortimer, 503.725.9894 or pmortimer@pdx.edu.

If you would like to receive ORAAPT announcements by email please contact Karen Hunter at expscience@gmail.com

Who we are:

Since 1931, the Oregon Association of Physics Teachers has met regularly to bring together a state-wide (and beyond) community of physics teachers at all levels. Meetings typically include contributed and invited talks, a demonstration show, and workshops. These are aimed at providing useful tools and information to practicing physics educators. We also contribute to the national organization, such as with our participation in the summer 2010 national AAPT meeting held in Portland, Oregon.

Past Events:

• Fall 2011 ORAAPT Meeting will be held Saturday Oct 15th at Pacific University, mark your calenders! We have “Science Geek Girl” Stephanie Chasteen coming to give a workshop for us - she is a nationally recognized science blogger and workshop leader. Agenda
• October 13 reception to honor the recipients of the 2011 Distinguished Service Award: Robert M. Berdahl, retired president of the Association of American Universities (AAU); and Christine and David Vernier, co-founders of Vernier Software & Technology based in Beaverton. The reception begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Ford Alumni Center with presentations at 6:00. I hope you can join us to honor these remarkable individuals. Please RSVP at http://president.uoregon.edu/uo-distinguished-service-awards-reception.
• The College Physics Institute, August 12-13, 2011, at the Vernier headquarters in Beaverton, OR.
  • The 2-day College Physics Institute will survey all data-collection and video tools offered by Vernier. Participants will learn both basic and advanced skills in Logger Pro, including configuring graphs, performing custom curve fits, setting up calculated columns and customized data-collection modes. Video analysis will be emphasized. Data collection will use LabQuest, LabQuest Mini, and wireless force sensors. All common physics sensors will be available, including rotary motion kits, centripetal force apparatus, dynamics systems, and optics devices. The $199 registration fee includes a copy of Advanced Physics with Vernier - Mechanics. http://www.vernier.com/workshop/college.html?subject=physics.
• Computational Science workshop
  • SC11, National Computational Science Institute & INSTANCES Present a Multi-Day Summer Workshop Computational Scientific Thinking & Modeling for Teachers. A hands-on experience at Oregon State University, Corvallis, July 24 - July 30, 2011 (note date change). We would like to hasten changes in science & math education that reflect the current world in which computation is an essential element in all sciences. The workshop will provide science and math educators with classroom examples that follow the scientific paradigm for discovery of scientific truth shown in figure below. The combination of science, math and computing is known as “computational science”. The software and lessons will be in the public domain or available at discount. Subject to final approval, we anticipate that lodging and meals will be provided. Registration is available at the NCSI Web site: http://www.computationalscience.org/workshops2011 Contact Rubin Landau, rubin@science.oregonstate.edu with questions.
• Active Learning Short Course, June 29-July 1, 2009 at University of Oregon, Eugene, OR
  • Chautauqua Short Courses: Using Research-Based Curricula and Tools to Promote Active Learning in Introductory Courses Especially for high school and introductory college-level teachers of physics. Instructors: Priscilla Laws, Dickinson College David Sokoloff, University of Oregon Ronald Thornton, Tufts University http://www.inaapt.org/Members/sspickle/summerCourses/chatauquaShortCourse

JULY 18-24 th 2010 is Oregon Physics Education Week - here is a proclamation from the Governor: state_of_oregon_proclamation.pdf