Naomi Wagner, 2025 American Association of Physics Teachers and SPS SOCK Intern

Biography

SPS Chapter: Oglethorpe University
Hello! My name is Naomi Wagner and I will be the 2025 SPS SOCK intern. I am ecstatic to work in physics outreach and communication this Summer. I have a heart for both physics and education as I am a rising Senior physics major and a preschool science/music teacher part-time. I believe that the desire to learn begins from a young age, and initiating physics learning now will set students up for a lifetime of physics learning. Outside of school I LOVE to play music. Piano, trumpet, and guitar are some of my favorite instruments to play. You can catch me listening to jazz, folk, pop, and pretty much anything that puts me in a good mood.

Internship

Host: American Association of Physics Teachers/SPS Science Outreach Catalyst Kit Intern

Internship Blog

Week 1

SPY MISSION WEEK 1 – Mission Location Reached
Hello, I am Agent SOCK25, but you can call me Naomi, which may or may not be my real name. I have been tasked with the mission of creating a Science Outreach Catalyst Kit this Summer as I partner with the AAPT and SPS to bring Physics demonstrations to K-12 students across the country!
I touched down on Monday morning, got to my dorm, and quickly unpacked my humble belongings into my new home for the Summer. After I finished pulling everything out of my suitcase, I decided it was time to eat something. Just as I left to pick up groceries, the elevator opened to my roommate, Rosie, and her sister. We all walked back to the dorm, and I discovered they were stopping on their way to the National Arboretum. So, I settled for a snack and decided to join the pair on an adventure to the gardens. It was such a perfect day for a walk among the plants. We smelled the rosemary, thyme, and other herbs growing in the edible part of the garden. We saw azaleas blooming in every shade of pink and stopped to waft the sweet perfume of the Magnolia trees, which are the State tree of my home state, Georgia. After the arboretum, we got groceries, ate dinner, talked, and watched The Little Mermaid live action. It was a better first day than I could have imagined.

This week I dived into Brainstorming for my SOCK, and if you couldn’t tell from my introduction, I have decided to create a Spy themed kit. In my demos I would like to explore topics in optics, magnetics, quantum mechanics, and musical resonance.
Throughout the week some of the interns have been watching the reality TV show Secret Lives of Mormon wives. It has been a great way to get to know my fellow interns and collectively root for our favorite Mormon mom. As a group we also went to eat tater tots and sing Karaoke at Tonic on Friday night after the Trimble Lecture. It has been an amazing week of bonding.

This Saturday was my first trip to the National Orchestral Institute and Festival. We listened to the New World Symphony composed by Antonin Dvorak. I learned so much about the foundation of American Music, and look forward to hearing more from the talented students at the NOI+F.

Sunday was composed of going to Union City Church with Rosie, then visiting the Farmers Market at DuPont Circle, followed by an afternoon at the National Gallery of Art.
Although my spy mission has only just begun, it seems that I have fallen in love with D.C. and my internship. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the Summer has to offer.

Week 2

SPY MISSION WEEK 2 – Now you see me, now you don’t
Agent SOCK25 reporting back on week two of my summer mission. This week I experimented with invisible inks. I tried seven different contenders which included mixtures of cranberry juice, orange juice, Sprite, and sugar with water. I wrote using each mixture on a piece of paper and let it dry. When they were all dry, I tried several methods of heating up the paper to reveal the hidden messages. I found that heating the sugar water mixture over a candle is the best method so far.

I have also decided on some other gadgets and gismos that I would like to include in my SOCK this year. Such as a compass, laser maze, and color decoding glasses. But that is just a taste for what this spy has up her sleeve.

This week’s activities included going to Coffee Republic to work with Rosie and MJ. We also did some cooking at home and made delicious chicken salad sandwiches on fancy bread and homemade popcorn (only because we took it out of the microwave too early, but it worked). Sanyia also came to join us and our popcorn adventures, and we watched season one of Ted Lasso.

Another one of this week’s adventures included going on a dinner cruise on the Potomac River. I sat next to Alacia and Jack. Jack and I matched our yellow outfits, and we didn’t even have to plan it! After dinner we all went upstairs, and DJ Rob and I had a fun time on the dance floor. The night continues at Boardwalk, a bar on the Warf, where many deep conversations were had between the PhDs and the Students.

Although I forgot to take a picture (again), I saw the National Orchestral Institute and Festival again this Saturday and was once again blown away. They featured Felix Mendelson’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. But between you and me, my favorite is between Alfred Schnittke’s Not a Midsummer Night’s Dream, which was a chaotic mix of disonant melodies that always concluded with grace, and Paul Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, which was featured in the Walt Disney classic, Fantasia.

On Sunday, Kalen, MJ and I went to the Spy Museum, where I was able to soak in lots of inspiration for my SOCK. I now feel inclined to include something of a Morse Code nature in the box. We shall see if it is at all possible (but for this Spy, I think it is).

To conclude this week’s blog, here is a poem I wrote about being an intern:
I do not know quite where I am
And yet, I’m happy here
In the home of Uncle Sam
I’ll get a souvenir.
With tower tall, museums long
And so much more to do
I’m only just an intern,
But still part of the Zoo.
I work inside a palas
Where nobody resides
And sometimes it gets quiet,
If I must confide.
But I get coffee every day
And snacks if I so wish
Just to come home, and have to cook
For my own very dish.
The best part is the people
Second is the job
I like meeting new faces
And doing what I love.
I’m only just and intern
But from here I can see
This summer might just change my life
And that’s just fine with me

Week 3

SPY MISSION WEEK 3 – Down to Business
Welcome back, Agent SOCK25 here. Spy missions are known for their death-defying stunts and riveting adventure, and I have to say that working in ACP (American Center for Physics) gives James Bond a run for his money. Every day when I get my daily hot chocolate from the fancy espresso machine in the kitchen, I risk my life just hoping it wasn’t poisoned as I look away.
This week kicked off with meeting my mentor Justin Harren IN PERSON!! Whooooo. We had previously been meeting over zoom, as she lives in Minnesota. We had a lovely conversation, and I have now decided what I want to focus on for my AAPT Summer Meeting presentation. Which is, how to teach physics/science fundamentals at the early childhood level using our five senses. I am super excited to share activities that I have personally done with elementary kids and look forward to hearing from veteran teachers about how to better teach these concepts these simple, yet scary topics for some teachers.
Monday night, Rosie and I made some of the BEST taco salad ever (maybe I’m biased, or was just very hungry). But once again, we have accomplished making our food look like artwork. It was beautiful and delicious and look forward to more cooking adventures.

On Tuesday I went on a run around the national mall and finally got to see some of D.C.’s classic monuments up close. I ran around three miles and took lots of pictures of me and states I hold dear.

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On Wednesday I went to the ACP Maryland office and got busy planning some of my demos. I ordered lots of things that I get to test out next week. I used some of the materials I found from previous SOCKs to test out a lazer maze, and a telegraph. I also had lunch with Jack and Gray White and got to talk about my last summer’s research on ants.

Friday night was quite eventful. First, my boyfriend Erik arrived at DCA at 7:00pm, and it was a joyful reunion. After some flight mishaps, cancellations, and rescheduling, Erik made it safely to D.C. Our plan A for Friday night was to head to Tonic and sing Karaoke, but then there was a flash flood warning and torrential downpour outside. Which prohibited us from going out anywhere. Instead, we went with plan B, Rosie and I hosted a karaoke night of our own at the dorm (sorry neighbors), and simultaneously celebrated Sanyia’s birthday. Which we didn’t get to celebrate on her actual birthday because she was in Alaska for the AAS conference.

Saturday was spend at the Library of Congress, where both Erik and I got our library cards which allowed us to visit the main reading room. It was so YELLOW inside! In the afternoon we went to the National Air and Space museuem, which is a must see in D.C.

In the evening Zhane, Kavin, Erik, Rosie, MJ and I all went to the NOI+F with Jack. The performance this week was surrounding Joseph Maler’s “Resurrection”, and featured Jasmine Barne’s Kinsfolknem. Jasmine’s piece was an experience to behold as she integrated four soloists (Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, and Clarinet) into the soulful symphony piece she had composed. All in all, it was a wonderful performance, and maybe the best yet.

On Sunday, Erik and I went to the United States Botanic Gardens. It was so cute, and my favorite part was the children’s garden where they allowed kids to actually plant flowers and other leafy vegetation in the garden beds. After that we has lunch at restaurant and cafe named Tatte (which apparently was inspired by the Yiddish name for “daddy” according to AI). We followed up lunch with a trip to the Holocaust Museum. It was a solemn, yet valuable experience that sparked good conversation about the state of our nation.

Sunday evening Erik had planned a surprise date for us. He told me to wear something nice, so I did. As we walked toward our secret date destination, I saw signs for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Lo, and behold, Erik had gotten us tickets for Les Miserable. I had never been and was only vaguely familiar with the plot. But it was absolutely phenomenal. There was romance, humor, and of course tragedy that all melded together in a wonderful musical performance.

I conclude this week from a line from Les Miserable that resonates with me.
“Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.”
- Victor Hugo
P.S. Here’s a little easter egg of Erik at the Library of Congress.

Week 4

SPY MISSION WEEK 4 – A Spy Never Stays Still
Hello everyone. This is Agent SOCK25 once again. I have been anxiously getting my mission supplies together. The world’s best quality spy wear has been coming in from all over the world so that I can test it before I send it off to the next generation of spies. Magnets, paints, colored lenses, you name it. But have I been up in an office all week scheming up my spy plans? NO! I went to many places this week it feels like I barely sat down.

The first major excursion of the week was to the National Institute of Standards and Technology. As a woman on a spy mission, this was an opportune place to visit. Some of the Nation’s most interesting science mysteries lie within. We got to meet some amazing people from Manufacturing USA and heard about how they apply their STEM backgrounds to jobs in science communication and policy work. We also got to see the kilogram, the meter, AND Newton’s very own apple trees. It was an exciting time.

Thursday marked Juneteenth. Which means we also had the day off from work. Rosie and I have been making a habit of creating our own color pencil sketches of art from the museums we’ve visited. Our newest additions to our collection came from the Hirschorn Museum. I decided to replicate a piece called “Lipstick, Lip Gloss, Hickeys too”. It has been so fun to experiment with colored pencils and what they can do for different art styles.

On Thursday evening, after Rosie and I made some delicious bean dip and corn on the cob, followed up by fresh peaches and cream we decided to go for a walk to the Lincon Memorial. Why not, when we’re so close?? We picked up a few stragglers (Saniya, James, and JJ) on the way.

Saturday was the Summer Solstice. So, on the longest day of the year, Grace, Jenna, Maia, and I set out to spend it well. Our first stop was the botanical gardens. Even though I visited the gardens last week, there was still so much to see. Grace and I took a long stroll through the air-conditioned educational section, which resulted in our new knowledge on the difference between thorns, prickles, spines, and trichomes. I feel like a regular botanist!

After the botanical gardens we went to a little cafe called Any Day Now, which would be seriously tempting to go to every day now if it were closer to the dorm. They serve scallion pancakes, and I got mine with steamed egg, hickory smoked bacon, and cheese, topped with crunchy chili oil. YUM! (I hope you were not hungry while reading this) We then popped into the bizarre Museum on O St. And just so happened to see Rosie and her sister there! To finish off Saturday evening I took Grace, Riley, and Kalen to the NOI+F. The featured piece was Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.4, with the first half containing an augmented orchestral piece meant to capture the essence of colors. Symphony No.4 had a subtle sadness to it. Each piece was Tchaikovsky’s signature sound, with grand melodies that faded into sweet strings and light winds. However, there were undertones of something sad in his music. The program attributed this sadness to undesired Fate. It surely gave me something to think about long after the music had ended.

On Sunday, Rosie, Grace and I visited another church called the Foundry United Methodist Church. I feel that this moment of my life is a time of exploration. Part of that exploration is with the intent to see how other people see God. Which can be a grand task to take on. But I figured that DC concentrates people who view the world differently from one another, and admittingly each new church had been different, and all bring something new to learn. That being said, I think the world still has a lot to learn about what loving one’s neighbor looks like. Especially in the interesting times that we are living in today.

On that note, I leave you with a quote from the well-known Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, “It is not enough to say we must not wage war. It is necessary to love peace and sacrifice for it.”

Week 5

SPY MISSION WEEK 5 – Big Spies Don’t Cry
This was another busy week for me, aka Agent SOCK25. I had a lot of top secret meetings over Zoom this week to work on yet another spy mission to bring the fun of physics to everyone. I am working on a project with AAPT on how to teach science to early childhood and elementary school kids using the 5 senses. I have also been busy making the budget for all the spy necessities that must go into the SOCK this year. Each week I am getting closer to the finished product, and I can’t wait to train the next generation of spy kids through this project.

One of the best meals that Rosie and I made this week was Japanese curry and rice. This is a meal that I eat a lot at home, because my parents were exchange students in Japan and cook Japanese food on a regular basis. It was nice to have a taste of home in the dorm, and coincidentally my family also had curry rice that same night.

On Wednesday of this week I decided to work from the Library of Congress. As I walked into the library, I heard a voice from behind me saying, “Naomi?”. It was none other than JJ who had also decided to work from the LoC that day. I loved being there and being able to look up from my work into the gorgeous painted ceiling. At lunch time I took my packed lunch and sat amoung the medicinal plants at the Botanic Gardens. I think I am finally finding my favorite places to go in D.C.

The next day, Sanyia, Kalen, and I ventured out to the ACP Maryland office where they were holding a conference for first-time physics faculty. I truly enjoyed getting to sit in and observe the way that physics teachers learn how to teach. I learned how to use active teaching techniques as opposed to lecture teaching, and I met some incredible first-time professors. Additionally, the interns got to take some leftovers home. We hauled our loot from the ACP to the metro, to the dorms, and were grateful to chow down by the time we got home.

After work on Friday, I decided to visit one of the only Smithsonian museums that is open past 5pm, the National Portrait Gallery. There I got to experience American Art, 20^th century Hollywood photography, and presidential portraits. I took a picture with my favorite president, Jimmy Carter, may he rest in peace. He is from Georgia, where I now live, and grew up on a peanut farm.

Saturday morning, I met Grace and we went out for coffee/matcha at Tatte (another one of my DC favs). We had a lovely little chat, and got yelled at by a couple people on the street. So that was fun!

After coffee, we picked up Riley, Maia and Jenna for a nice trip to Georgetown. We walked around and visited some nice little shops. My favorite was this little reused bookstore where I bought a poetry book, a George Gershwin CD and 5 cards. We also stopped for coffee at a little French bakery called Boulangerie Christophe. The people there actually spoke French! It gave me an opportunity to speak some French and reminded me of the little bakeries from my student exchange in France.

That evening was the finale of NOI+F. Kalen, Saniya, and James came with me to the last concert. We listened to a very moving panel about the 10^th anniversary of the Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme court decision to legalize gay marriage. It was followed by a very moving performance by the orchestra. I have to say that Stauss composes in such a way that causes the listener to create stories in their head while listening.

On Sunday I went to a church called Grace Capital City, which may be my favorite one yet. Now that I think of it, this week has been full of favorites. I enjoyed all the singing we did, and also that it met at 4pm which meant I got to sleep in. Right after that, I joined Rosie, Sanyia, and Rosie’s friend Kate for some line dancing at the Pitcher. I finished the day well worn out from singing and dancing, and decided to end it with a couple episodes of Ted Lasso. I can’t believe this experience is already half way through. But I can’t wait to see what more D.C. has in store.

Here’s a clue for the next spy mission:

Week 6

SPY MISSION WEEK 6 - Time Spies by When You’re Having Fun
.... . .-.. .-.. --- / ..-. .-. --- -- / .- --. . -. - / ... --- -.-. -.- ..--- ..... If you couldn’t read that than you’re clearly not a spy. Spy have been using codes and crypts to hide secret messages for a long time. The code that I just used is called Morse code. It was a code used to communicate through a device called the Telegraph. A telegraph uses an electromagnet to attract and repel a piece of metal that makes the famous, “click clack” sound that symbolizes a dot and the ”click **pause** clack” that symbolizes a dash. Together this combination of dots and dashes creates the letters in the alphabet that can spell out words of the senders message. Pretty cool right? Well this week I was finally able to crack the secret to making a telegraph and am excited to include them in the SOCK this year!

For many people in D.C. the beginning of this week was spent in anticipation for the Fourth of July. However, for this Canadian dual citizen, I had to celebrate Canada day on the First of July. So, on Tuesday I got up and wore my red and white proudly, to show my pride in the country that I also belong to.

Rosie and I have been busy this week filling our dorm with the beauty of Summer through flowers. We currently have two bouquets, one wild flower, and one stalk of celery to our name. But it makes our space bright and joyful to come home to at the end of the day.

(Can you tell that yellow is my favorite color?)

On Thursday, a couple wonderful things happened. One of which was that, Rosie and I went to the Library of Congress to work. I don’t know what it is about that place (maybe the spell of books) but I always work so efficiently when I’m there. I will probably keep going back.

Thursday evening Erik made a spur of the moment visit with me on his way to visit friends in D.C. for the weekend. We went on a ramen noodle date, and traveled from there to the wharf, where we got ice-cream and watched the sunset. (How cute!)

On Friday morning I woke up at 3am to catch my 5am flight to the beach. Even with my lack of sleep, I was lucky enough to spend the Fourth of July with my best friend Caitlyn at her family’s annual visit to the beach in North Carolina. We had shrimp burgers, made a sand White House, and watched beach fireworks in the evening. We’ve since gone boogie boarding, caught fish, and done lots of eating and reading. I love D.C., but man, do I love the beach!

P.S. - .... . .-. . / .-- .- ... / -. --- / ... .. -. - / .. -. / - .... . / --. .-. . . -. / -... . .- -.