Ideas Worth Stealing

To ease the anxiety newer students might have about getting involved in physics research at Duke University, Duke’s SPS chapter hosted an event during which five undergraduates talked about their campus research and answered questions about preparing for and finding research positions. The chapter writes, “The research journey at Duke is not only exciting once you get started, but it’s also filled with support from fellow undergraduate students.”

Image courtesy of the Saint Anselm College chapter.

SPS members at Saint Anselm College communicate via a Discord channel that’s become integral for planning events and projects, spreading news ... and sharing memes. Original, hilarious images are shared nearly every day. Their chapter advisor even presented a “Year in Meme” review at the Sigma Pi Sigma induction and end-of-year celebration.

Courtesy of SUNY University at Buffalo’s 2021–22 chapter report.

The SUNY University at Buffalo’s SPS chapter cohosted a 5K and Milk Mile fundraiser with the running club on campus. During the Milk Mile, participants ran a mile around a track, drinking a carton of chocolate milk between laps!

Cleveland State University revived its Sigma Pi Sigma chapter in 2018, following a 46-year dormancy. Now they induct current students alongside recent and not-so-recent alumni. “This approach helps to build bridges between our department, current students, and alumni from different walks of life who either have established themselves already or are on an exciting career trajectory,” the chapter writes. The 2022 induction brought together 60-plus guests for a celebratory evening that also included physics awards and recognitions.

The Rowan University SPS chapter participates in several impactful campus initiatives, including Project Period. Rowan’s student organizations donate menstrual products to the project to be dispersed throughout campus for easy access and given to students who are unable to obtain them elsewhere.