Sigma Pi Sigma’s Physics and Astronomy Congress is unlike any other physics meeting, bringing together students, alumni, and professional physicists for a weekend of cutting edge science and reflection on the role of the scientist in society. Since its first convening a century ago, the Congress has grown from a small gathering of a few chapters to a triennial event that attracts thousands of participants from hundreds of institutions.
Held in Washington DC at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, this event celebrated the organization’s 100th birthday.This event welcomed over 1,250 people from over 250 chapters.
Held in Providence, RI at the Omni Hotel, this event welcomed 1,219 people from over 225 chapters.
Now more commonly known by its nickname, PhysCon, the 2016 congress welcomed over 1,100 attendees to San Francisco, CA. Plenary talks included Jocelyn Bell Burnell, Nobel Laureate Eric Cornell, Persis Drell, Patrick Brady, and James S. Gates. Sites like SLAC, Google X, the California Academy of Sciences, and the Computer History Museum welcomed undergraduates and their mentors for tours.
Held in Orlando, FL, the 2012 congress was the largest gathering of undergraduate physics students in history. More than 800 attendees heard from distinguished speakers including Physics Nobel Laureate John Mather, Freeman Dyson, and Dr. John Grunsfeld, an astronaut with a PhD in Physics. Attendees toured NASA’s John F. Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, FL, and participated in several dynamic workshops.
More than 600 physics students, faculty, and Sigma Pi Sigma alumni gathered at Fermilab in Batavia, IL, for the 2008 Quadrennial Congress. They spent a packed weekend making new connections, interacting with Fermilab scientists and distinguished speakers, debating common concerns for the discipline and society, and touring Fermilab’s unique experiments and grounds.
Held in Albuquerque, NM, 400 attendees heard from Carl Wieman, Jocelyn Bell-Burnell and many other distinguished speakers and panelists. Students and faculty still speak warmly of the gathering. In addition to scientific talks, ethical issues arising in the profession were discussed, and several student-led recommendations were developed. Attendees toured the Trinity test site and McDonald Ranch House at White Sands Missile Range.
