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Forwarded from MnSTA Physics Rep Jason Hall:

Before winter break I decided to give my physics students and assignment where they had to design their own planet with two satellites.  Initially my plan was to give them a fun creative assignment that incorporated a little earth science, but as the students did the assignment it made me realized they were struggling to understand what masses to use for their calculations.  It also pointed out to me they were not making certain connections like gas giant planets would have a lower density.  I definitely see a lot of value in this assignment and I’ll be making adjustments for next year.  If you’re interested in this assignment feel free to email me at jhall@ahastars.org and I can share my word document with you.

Before I end this email here is a list of potential professional development opportunities for you.  One opportunity I cannot speak highly enough about is their 3M Twist program.  This is a great program for you to see engineering in action.  If you want to speak with me more about my personal experiences with the Twist program feel free to email me.  IF you know of any opportunities not listed but wish to share feel free to email me.

Go4St8 Physics Meeting

Hosted by: Go4St8

When:  Saturday, January 13, 2024 from 9am to 12pm

Where: At Minnetonka High School and on Zoom

Description:  Go4St8 is a free organization of physics teachers discussing topics for the classroom.  They meet four times a year at Minnetonka High School and they also broadcast the meeting on Zoom.  For January they will be going over topics in thermodynamics.

3M TWIST Deadline

Hosted by: 3M

When:  January 15, 2024

Where: Usually the Maplewood campus of 3M

Description:  Every year 3M invites teachers of STEM to come work for them for 6 weeks in the summer  (June 17-July 26, 2024).  This is a great opportunity for teachers to see the latest engineering projects that 3M is doing, and to see actual engineering practices in motion.  If you’re looking to improve your mastery of the engineering state science standards I highly recommend this internship.  This is a paid internship ($6000) and you have the opportunity to earn graduate credits for the work you do.  If you have any questions about the TWIST program feel free to contact me (Jason Hall) or email 3M directly at TWIST@mmm.com.  You can apply at this link.

Squishy Science Sunday

Hosted by: Minnesota Science Teachers Association

When:  Sunday, March 2, 2024 from 11am to 3pm

Where: TBD

Description:  Squishy Science Sunday will entail an afternoon of hands-on activities, demonstrations, short talks, and opportunities to meet and talk to physicists one-on-one. The March meeting is the largest meeting organized by the APS.  Squishy Science Sunday will invite families, students of all ages, educators, and the public to our meeting venue, a place usually inaccessible to them, to showcase and demystify Science at the research frontiers. If you would like to help put on this event (be a presenter or volunteer) please contact me (Jason Hall) and I can give you the additional information.

Go4St8 Physics Meeting

Hosted by: Go4St8

When:  Saturday, March 9, 2024 from 9am to 12pm

Where: At Minnetonka High School and on Zoom

Description:  Go4St8 is a free organization of physics teachers discussing topics for the classroom.  They meet four times a year at Minnetonka High School and they also broadcast the meeting on Zoom.  For March they will be going over Quantum for All curriculum which is incorporating quantum mechanics for your physics course.

MNAAPT Annual Meeting

Hosted by: MN chapter for AAPT

When:  Saturday, April 27, 2024, 8:30am to 3pm

Where: University of St. Thomas, Frey Science and Engineering Center

Description:  A one day conference where high school and college physics teachers can get together and share ideas.  More information to come.  Please visit https://sites.google.com/view/mnaapt-info/home for the latest updates.

Jason Hall

MnSTA Physics Representative