REPORTS
A Message From Australian Institute of Physics NSW Branch
By Dr Frederick Osman; AIP NSW Branch Chair
We welcome you all to another 2018 AIPNSW year and we look
forward in continuing our many engagements promoting physics
to students, teachers, researchers, industry and general public.
were centred on joint events co-sponsored by the AIP and other
scientific organizations as well as unique AIP events.
The Branch hosted the presentation of the 2017 Boas Medal to
Professor Geraint F Lewis on Wednesday 15th March. Professor
Lewis presented a lecture entitled Challenging Cosmology:
Satellite planes in the Local Universe. The aims of the Boas Medal
award are to promote excellence in research in Physics in Australia
and to perpetuate the name of Walter Boas. Congratulations to
Professor Lewis on this wonderful achievement.
At the AGM held on Tuesday 14 November 2017 at the University
of New South Wales, the new office bearers for 2018 were
announced:
Chair: Dr Frederick Osman
Deputy Chair: Dr Graeme Melville
Secretary: Associate Professor Matthew Arnold
Treasurer: Dr Phil Burns
Committee Member: Mr Robert Raposio
Committee Member: Mrs Erin Munn
Committee Member: Dr Timothy Van der Laan
Committee Member: Dr Scott Martin
Committee Member: Associate Professor Michael Lerch
On Monday 5th of June, the AIPNSW held an Inspiration
Through Space Exploration by Leroy Chiao Ph.D. Former NASA
Astronaut Jami Sunkel NASA Master Teacher at the University of
Wollongong. The event explored an exciting space STEM lesson.
Jami Sunkel discussed the most awe-inspiring space exploration
mission of the 21st Century and what we might discover in the
future. Dr Leroy Chiao shared his personal story of pursuing his
dream, to space! Thank you to the University of Wollongong and
Professor Anatoly Rozenfeld that helped to organise this exciting
event.
Throughout 2017 the NSW Branch of the Australian Institute of
Physics has continued to increase the profile of physics within
industry, academia and the wider general community by becoming
more professional, unique and creative in its advertising/market
initiatives in attracting awareness of the physics community in
attending activities in 2017.
Australian Institute of Physics held another series of events of
the Physics in the Pub on Tuesday 20 of June 2017, at the
Entertainment Level of the Three Wise Monkeys Hotel. It will be
remembered as a vibrant showcase of physics, and a fun for
everyone: people from the world of physics, their friends, family
members and guests, general public, presenters and organizers.
‘The Physics Free-For-All Variety Night’ was the subtitle that best
describes the format of the event. Some good physics delivered
in a line-up of eight minutes entertaining acts and presentations
of various formats. Australian Institute of Physics NSW Branch
thanks to all who contributed organizing this successful event, in
particular Boris Jovanovic, Professor Fred Watson, all presenters,
as well as universities and organizations behind them, for their
support, and also managers and staff of the Three Wise Monkeys
Hotel.
This outstandingly successful year has only been possible
through the efforts of the hard working and dedicated members
of the NSWAIP Branch committee. A number of years ago, this
committee made the strategic decision to focus on organising
major public presentations, rather than to continue with the usual
public talks and events that have been attracting ever decreasing
audiences and interest.
This growth has been based upon major public presentations
that consisted of the Women in Physics Lecture, Physics
Teachers Conference, Einstein Lecture, Industry Day and
the Postgraduate Awards Day and various events, sponsored
academic prizes and awards to outstanding young students and
scientists.
I would personally like to express my sincere gratitude to all
members of the NSW AIP Branch Executive who helped make
2017 such a successful period. The success has only been
possible through the hard work and professional dedication of
the committee members. On Friday 23rd of June, the AIPNSW held a joint Physics Forum
with the Science Teachers Association of NSW to support the
teaching of Physics from years 7 to 12, with a range of workshops
for beginner to experienced teachers to navigate the new and
improved curriculum. Congratulations to Matthew Arnold and
Erin Munn that helped co-host the STANSW Physics Teacher’s
Conference at UTS.
We had a wonderful scientific program this year that featured
prolific presenters from a variety of areas in physics and education
that engaged our wider general community. The public lectures A joint event with RACI, RSNSW and ANSTO, Planetary
Parliament, was held on Tuesday 1 August at ANSTO on the
Future of Fusion. A panel consisting Prof Heinrich Hora, Professor
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SCIENCE EDUCATIONAL NEWS VOL 67 NO 1