SPS Meeting

The next regular meeting of the Longwood chapter of the Society of Physics Students will be Wednesday October 23 at 4:00 PM, Room G-12, New Science Center.

Pizza, soft drinks, and some entertainment.  Join us!

SPS Activities

As we head into the second half of the Fall semester, the Longwood chapter of the SPS has four major activities underway.

Science Show for the Middle School Students.  We want to bring middle-school students from the Prince Edward County schools to LU for a science show, hopefully in conjunction with the Chemistry and Biology clubs.  Our goal is to create interest in science as a career option.

Solar-powered Car.  Several students will be working on an electric car built several years ago by former LU physics and 3/2 students, in the hopes of converting it into a solar-powered vehicle.  The car needs some work on the steering mechanism and suspension system.

Longwood Myth Busters.  In the tradition of Discovery Channel’s great show, we hope to address some commonly held beliefs about physics and engineering, and either substantiate them or debunk them.

LancerDots at Springfest.  The LancerDots were a big hit at Oktoberfest.  We’ll bring them back this spring, hopefully with an improved production method that uses less liquid nitrogen.

If you’re interested in participating in any of these projects, please contact Dr. Dunning at dunningrb@longwood.edu.

Next meeting: Wednesday 17 October 2007, 4:00 PM, Room G-12, New Science Center.

SPS Meeting

This afternoon at 4:00 PM the SPS will have its regular weekly meeting in G-12, New Science Center: pizza, soft drinks, and some entertainment.  We’ll discuss plans for Spring Weekend, and a co-op educational program with the Biology and Chemistry clubs.

SPS at Oktoberfest

The Society of Physics Students kept Oktoberfest cool and refreshed with our homemade LancerDots. Look at the great pictures!

Farnsworth Fusion Reactor

Over the Summer of 2007, physics major Andrew Grzankowski worked with Longwood faculty member Keith Rider (Chemistry) to construct a Farnsworth Fusion Reactor. Here’s a breakdown of the project.

LancerDots at Oktoberfest

The Society of Physics Students will be selling LancerDots ice cream, made using liquid nitrogen, at this year’s Oktoberfest on the Longwood University campus. Check out their booth behind the Student Union between 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM on Saturday (October 6). Cost: $1.50 per cup.

SPS Problem of the Month

Each month, the Longwood chapter of the Society of Physics Students sponsors a Problem of the Month. For October:

Consider a boat loaded with scrap iron in a swimming pool. If the iron is thrown overboard into the pool, will the water level at the edge of the pool rise, fall, or remain unchanged? You must explain your answer to be eligible for the prize.

Submit answers by 5:00 PM, October 31, 2007 to dunningrb@longwood.edu or drm814@longwood.edu. Only current Longwood students are eligible for the prize, but everyone is welcome to submit answers.

We’re Hiring!

Longwood University invites applications from physicists and engineers for a tenure-track assistant professorship to start August 2008. Preference will be given to applicants with a background in experimental physics or engineering. The successful applicants will teach at all levels of the undergraduate physics curriculum, and conduct a vigorous research program involving undergraduates. Start-up funds are negotiable. Additional responsibilities include teaching physical science for K-8 education majors (taught on rotation), advising, committee service, and scholarly activities. Longwood University is a public institution with a just-opened, state-of-the-art science facility and is dedicated to undergraduate education and research of the highest quality. We have an active, thriving physics major and 3/2 engineering program, and seek outstanding educators. For additional information on our program please visit our website at: http://www.longwood.edu/physics/. Applicants should send a cover letter, CV, statement of teaching philosophy, summary of research plans involving undergraduate students, unofficial transcripts, and three letters of recommendation by Monday 22 October 2007 to Dr. Michelle Parry, Physics Search Committee, Longwood University, 201 High Street, Farmville, VA 23909. EOE.

Longwood Physics on TV (sort of)

We graduate a lot of physics majors from Longwood. Check out the new TV spot:
You can find more LU commercials at WhyLongwood.