Download a PDF of the entire issue - Sigma Pi Sigma

The 2012 Quadrennial Physics Congress
November 8-10, 2012
Orlando Florida & the Kennedy Space Center
Next November, hundreds of
physics students, alumni, and
faculty will gather for the 2012
Quadrennial Physics Congress, hosted
by Sigma Pi Sigma. This is a unique
meeting that combines cutting-edge
science with discussions on the role of
the physicist in society, and engages
undergraduate students in a way that
no other meeting does. In fact, it will
be the largest gathering of undergraduate
physics students in the country ever!
Built around the theme Connecting
Worlds Through Science & Service, the
Congress will take place in Orlando, FL,
home to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
It isn’t too early to start planning
your trip—at the 2008 Congress, there
were more than 600 attendees, many of
them undergraduate physics students.
We’re hoping to surpass that number in
2012, so please plan early.
Plenary Speakers
The Congress will feature plenary talks
by distinguished scientists such as Dr.
John Mather, Physics Nobel Laureate;
Freeman Dyson, acclaimed scientist and
author; Dr. John Grunsfeld, astronaut
and former chief scientist of NASA; Dr.
Jocelyn Bell Burnell, world-class astrophysicist
known for discovering pulsars,
and many more.
NASA Tours
On the morning of Thursday, November
8, Congress attendees will be
transported to Kennedy Space Center
for tours of their facilities, led by the
Kennedy Space Center Education Staff.
Tour participants will travel through the
industrial area, the causeway (so that the
launchpads are visible), out to the shuttle
landing facility, through the Vehicle
Assembly (VAB) area, and along crawler
way, among other areas. There will be
several stops for photo opportunities.
Workshops
Workshops will include invited talks by
scientists and educators actively pursuing
all kinds of science, and roundtable
discussions on issues important
to science and service. Attendees will
deliberate topics such as technology and
international collaborations, communicating
science and public outreach; and
12 Radiations Fall 2011