2012 Physics and Astronomy Congress Connecting Worlds Through Science and Service
About the 2012 Congress
The 2012 Quadrennial Physics Congress, hosted by Sigma Pi Sigma the physics honor society, was held November 8-12 in Orlando, FL. The gathering brought together more than 800 people and inspired a new generation of scientists.
Program and Resources
Congress Highlights from Radiations
In the Spring 2013 issue of Radiations, congress-goers shared their reflections on this once-in-a-lifetime experience. The three-day event was filled with activities: six outstanding plenary speakers, two special lunchtime speakers, six workshops, sixty exhibitors, nearly two hundred undergraduate research posters, an art competition, and a special tour of the Kennedy Space Center.
Congress Highlights from SPS Chapter Reporters
This compilation of articles by SPS Chapter Reporters captures the full depth and breadth of the 2012 Physics Congress.
Poster Awards
Two of the most energetic and dynamic sessions during the 2012 Quadrennial Physics Congress were the joint poster and art sessions. Over 200 student presenters engaged with peers, science faculty, and practicing physicists, while discussing research, outreach, and service projects in more than two dozen categories.
Art Awards
Twenty students enter works in Sigma Pi Sigma’s second Congress Art Contest. Pirouette by Glen Marsch was awarded Best in Show. It depicts ice crystals on a frigid morning.
Messages from Our Participants
Physics majors are hard to come by in our school. We were represented by half of the school’s physics majors, five…Needless to say, the sight of that many devoted to our particular field was astounding.
Between answering questions from onlookers the presenters traded jokes, tips for better presenting, and even questions about their neighbor’s research projects…small groups would form around posters and instead of a boring ask-and-tell routine, freewheeling conversation about research with a lot of give and take spontaneously formed.
There’s something about seeing such a large group of physicists gathered together in one place that’s very motivating. I think it’s easy for students to lose sight of the reasons they chose their major in the first place, and the Congress was one experience that helped me keep in mind the big picture behind it all – why we do what we do.
2012 Congress Photo Gallery
Students during a poster session
Past Sigma Pi Sigma President George Miner, University of Dayton ’78 (second from left) and David Dunlap, University of Maine ’78 (third from left) are pictured along with students, alumni, and PhysCon guests as they tour NASA Kennedy Space Center on Thursday, November 8, 2012.
Michael Duncan
NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center
Members of the SPS National Council and 2012 Congress Planning Committee filling in the famous countdown clock at NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center.
Members of the Southeast University SPS chapter (Nanjing, China) in the rocket garden at NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center
NASA’s Bob Youngquist demonstrates a device for detecting leaks.
Michael Harrington
Sigma Pi Sigma president Bill Degraffenreid calls a packed ballroom to order as he opens the Congress.
Sigma Pi Sigma Director Toni Sauncy (center) is flanked by her former students from Angelo State University at the 2012 Quadrennial Physics Congress.
Liz Dart Caron
Chapters represented at the 2012 Congress.
Donna Kimball, National Institute of Standards and Technology
Students from Rhodes College join in a line dance.
Sigma Pi Sigma president William DeGraffenreid opens the 2012 Quadrennial Physics Congress in Orlando, FL.
Ken Cole
Jocelyn Bell Burnell delivers her plenary talk, “Reflections on the predicted end of the world in December 2012.”
James Stith leads a workshop
Anna Quider leads a workshop
Arion Douglas (right) chats with students during a workshop.
“Workshop Wizards” in distinctive blue hats helped facilitate group activities and discussions during the six interactive workshops.
Ken Cole and Liz Dart Caron
Thank You to Our 2012 Sponsors
