aaas_aapt_021609

schedule for Monday February 16

Session Type:

180-Minute Symposium

Number:

180-062

Title:

Origins and Endings: From the Beginning to the End of the Universe

Session Start/End Time:

Monday, Feb 16, 2009, 9:30 AM -12:30 PM

Room:

HRC Columbus KL

Synopsis:

Over the past decade, our view of both the possible origin and the ultimate fate of the universe have dramatically changed. This session will review how cutting-edge current research is shedding light on both of these cosmic questions and in fact how they may be related. In so doing, they are giving us a new sense of our planet's place in the universe. Subjects will include cosmic microwave background probes, gravity waves, dark matter, dark energy, the anthropic principle, and multiverses.

Organized by:

Lawrence M Krauss, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

Presentations:

Symposium Organizer--Lawrence M. Krauss, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

Moderator--Angela Olinto, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL

Eternal Inflation, the Early Universe, and the Multiverse--Alan Guth, MIT, Cambridge, MA

The Cosmic Microwave Background: Progress and Prospects--John Carlstrom, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL

Gravitational Waves as a Probe of the Early Universe--Scott Dodelson, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Batavia, IL

The Search for WIMPs in the Galactic Halo: the Quest to Detect the Dark Matter--Daniel Akerib, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH

Our Miserable Future--Lawrence M. Krauss, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

MB:

New Ideas for High School Physics

Location:

H-Water Tower

Date:

Monday, Feb.16

Time:

9:15AM - 11:15AM

Presider:

Laura Nickerson,

Co-Presiders(s):

None

Equipment:

N/A

MB02:

A Physics Education Resources Wiki Site

Location:

H-Water Tower

Date:

Monday, Feb.16

Time:

9:25AM - 9:35AM

Author:

Michael Fetsko, Mills Godwin High School
804 750-2600, mrfetsko@henrico.k12.va.us

Co-Author(s):

None

Abstract:

This paper will discuss my work in the Hampton University Teacher Institute for Research in Physics (TIRP) program in the summer of 2008. The purpose of my project was to develop a physics teacher resource wiki site. The site has a collection of inquiry investigations, online tool resources, engineering competitions, and particle physics exercises. The site also includes a teacher forum blog that allows for an exchange of ideas between teachers. Here, participants can discuss content on the site as well as best practices in physics education. Teachers will also have the ability to add their own content to the site.

Footnotes:

None

MB06:

High School Physics and Top-Ranked High Schools

Location:

H-Water Tower

Date:

Monday, Feb.16

Time:

10:05AM - 10:15AM

Author:

Susan White, American Institute of Physics
301 209 3056, swhite@aip.org

Co-Author(s):

None

Abstract:

Both Newsweek and US News & World Report publish lists identifying “top” US public high schools. Newsweek uses the number of advanced tests (AP, IB, and Cambridge tests) taken by students at a school, and US News & World Report bases their rankings on state accountability tests and tries to adjust for student demographics. Using data from our 2005 Nationwide Survey of High School Physics Teachers, we examine the relationship between the number of teachers teaching physics in a high school and the school’s inclusion on one of the top-rated schools lists. Although we cannot infer a causal relationship, we do find that schools with more teachers teaching physics are more likely to be identified as outstanding.

Footnotes:

None

MB08:

Accelerated Physics Courses: The Fast-Paced High School Physics Model

Location:	H-Water Tower
Date:	Monday, Feb.16
Time:	10:25AM - 10:35AM
Author:	Nicholas A Beecher Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth 410-735-6214, nbeecher@jhu.edu
Co-Author(s):	Jocelyn C. Knight
Abstract:	Is it possible to effectively teach physics in a highly accelerated format to bright students? For more than 25 years, Johns Hopkins University's Center for Talented Youth (CTY) has successfully done so through its Fast-Paced High School Physics course. More than 2,500 students have participated in this course and learned a full year of high school physics during a three-week summer program. In this session, we thoroughly describe the fast-paced physics model, including the curriculum, texts, schedule, and materials. We also review the data from measures such as pre- and post-tests to demonstrate the effectiveness of this teaching model.

NA:

AAPT Plenary V - Dark Matter in the Laboratory

Location:

H-Grand EF

Date:

Monday, Feb.16

Time:

11:30AM - 12:30PM

Presider:

David Cook,

Co-Presiders(s):

None

Equipment:

N/A

NA01:

Dark Matter in the Laboratory

Location:	H-Grand EF
Date:	Monday, Feb.16
Time:	11:30AM - 12:30PM
Author:	Joseph D Lykken, Fermilab 630 840 4689, lykken@fnal.gov
Co-Author(s):	None
Abstract:	Most of the universe is dark matter, whose composition is entirely unknown and may involve new forces or principles of nature. Using ultra-sensitive detectors deep underground, physicists are attempting to detect dark matter particles streaming in from space. At the Large Hadron Collider, physicists hope to manufacture large numbers of dark matter particles and study their properties in the laboratory. I will describe these efforts and how impending discoveries may change our fundamental understanding of physics and the universe.

OC:

Highlights of the International Year of Astonomy 2009

Location:

H-Comiskey

Date:

Monday, Feb.16

Time:

12:30PM - 2:30PM

Presider:

Janelle M. Bailey,

Co-Presiders(s):

None

Equipment:

N/A

OC01:

The U.S. Program for IYA2009: Something for Everyone

Location:

H-Comiskey

Date:

Monday, Feb.16

Time:

12:30PM - 1:00PM

Author:

Douglas Isbell, National Optical Astronomy Observatory
520-318-8214, disbell@noao.edu

Co-Author(s):

None

Abstract:

The United States is planning an ambitious and multifaceted program for the International Year of Astronomy 2009, including a new inexpensive telescope kit called the Galileoscope, dark-skies awareness education and related citizen-science campaigns, a locally replicable exhibition of the 100 greatest astronomy images, and an active New Media team. This talk will describe U.S. plans and accomplishments, and preview events such as the "100 Hours of Astronomy" in April 2009.

Footnotes:

SPONSOR: Janelle M. Bailey, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Science Education Department of Curriculum & Instruction University of Nevada, Las Vegas 4505 Maryland Parkway, Box 453005 Las Vegas, NV 89154-3005 janelle.bailey@unlv.edu 702-895-4756

OC02:

Design, Educational Impact, and Assessment of IYA Cornerstone Programs

Location:

H-Comiskey

Date:

Monday, Feb.16

Time:

1:00PM - 1:30PM

Author:

Stephen M Pompea, National Optical Astronomy Observatory
520.318.8285, spompea@noao.edu

Co-Author(s):

None

Abstract:

The International year of Astronomy 2009 is a celebration of astronomy--400 years after Galileo first used the telescope. More importantly, the year is the beginning of several key astronomy education programs designed to increase interest in science, to promote an understanding of the scientific process, and to improve science literacy. For IYA2009 teams of astronomy educators have designed a number of cornerstone projects with long-term value for physics and astronomy education. These projects include The Galileoscope project (with telescope teaching kits), Dark Skies Education (with light pollution teaching kit), From Earth to the Universe (an image exhibition), and the Galileo Teacher Training program (professional development program using teacher ambassadors). The goals and strategies of each of these projects will be described, with a frank assessment of the challenges facing each project. Given that the IYA2009 is largely funded by donations, the challenges that this poses will also be discussed.

Footnotes:

The US International Year of Astronomy 2009 is supported by the National Science Foundation. NOAO is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), Inc. under cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation.

OC03:

The Galileoscope: Bringing the Sky to Millions Around the World

Location:

H-Comiskey

Date:

Monday, Feb.16

Time:

1:30PM - 2:00PM

Author:

Douglas N Arion, Carthage College
2625515864, darion@carthage.edu

Co-Author(s):

Richard T. Fienberg, Steven Pompea, Tom Smith

Abstract:

Three hundred and ninety-nine years ago, Galileo turned his crude telescope to the sky and made new and amazing observations that revolutionized how we think about the Universe. In commemoration of the upcoming 400th anniversary of that momentous year, the UN with the International Astronomical Union has declared 2009 the International Year of Astronomy (IYA). An extensive series of projects and programs are in development to bring the Universe to people around the world. This talk will describe the Galileoscope project, which is developing, manufacturing, and distributing the Galileoscope—small, high-quality refracting telescopes to be distributed worldwide, with the goal of providing 1 million people an opportunity to observe through a telescope of their own. The presentation will cover the goals and objectives of the program, the design considerations, the manufacturing and distribution process, and aspects of the business model that is making this project possible.

Footnotes:

Sponsor: Janelle Bailey

OC04:

Research Experiences for the Public -- Get Involved in Modern Science

Location:	H-Comiskey
Date:	Monday, Feb.16
Time:	2:00PM - 2:30PM
Author:	Jordan Raddick, Johns Hopkins University 410-516-8889, raddick@jhu.edu
Co-Author(s):	Aaron Price
Abstract:	In the last few years, a number of projects have arisen to bring modern scientific research to the public, and teachers have taken advantage of these projects to give students real experiences in modern science. For example, Stardust@home lets students search for interstellar dust grains from NASA's Stardust mission, and Galaxy Zoo lets students classify galaxies by shape. The U.S. International Year of Astronomy's Research Experiences for the Public Committee is committed to bringing these and other experiences to students and the public. Our keystone project is to support worldwide coordinated observations of the mysterious variable star Epsilon Aurigae, an eclipsing binary that eclipses once every 27 years. We will create a website for people to share their observations, and to hypothesize about the star's nature. Our goal is to enable students to undertake a scientific project from idea generation to publication. We will develop other ideas as well.