Support the Next Generation
Students attend the expo hall at the 2022 Physics Congress.
Remember that conference or event you went to in your undergraduate days where you had an “Aha!” moment, made a lifelong friend, or finally felt like you belonged to a community?
For many physics and astronomy students today, the Physics and Astronomy Congress is that defining experience—a place where they find inspiration, mentorship, and a sense of belonging in the physical sciences community. This event is the largest gathering of undergraduates in physics and astronomy, drawing over 1,200 students, faculty, employers, and scientists from around the country and immersing them in opportunities for networking, career development, mentoring, and innovation. Students leave the congress having made relationships that alter their career trajectory and last a lifetime. But most importantly, students share their journeys and aspirations with each other, and lay the groundwork for pathways to ensure all students can thrive and feel welcomed.
Research by the American Institute of Physics (AIP), the parent organization of Sigma Pi Sigma, shows that nurturing undergraduate students’ “physics identity” through convening can have a significant impact on their persistence in their academic journey, strengthen the physics and astronomy community, and help maintain students’ enthusiasm and excitement in the field.
The triennial congress is a vital boost to the health of the physical sciences community and ensures that the future of the field has a robust talent pipeline.
Attendees at the closing dance party at the 2022 Physics Congress.
“PhysCon was a great platform to get to know the greater physics community in the United States and to learn from many like-minded scientists,” says Gizem Dogan, an SPS intern in 2022 and 2023. “The graduate school panel was an important opportunity for me as an undergraduate physics student to find out about many graduate school options. I also had an awesome time catching up with my SPS intern friends from summer 2022!”
We must continue investing in the vibrant community of students who aspire to become the next generation of physical scientists.
An important focus of our physical sciences community is developing talent and opening pathways into the disciplines on which our STEM enterprise is so dependent. Supporting student success and graduation outcomes for undergraduates in physics and astronomy is a clear strategy in achieving that goal. AIP has prioritized fostering undergraduate engagement through student programs like the Society of Physics Students, which has been in existence for over 60 years and serves over 5,500 physics and astronomy students nationwide annually.
The next Physics and Astronomy Congress is in Denver, Colorado, from October 30 to November 1, 2025. The theme, Supporting our Phase Shifts, describes the radical shifts current physics and astronomy majors have experienced in recent years. Through this theme, attendees will explore how to shift into the next phase of their career in today’s evolving higher education and workforce landscape, and bring to the forefront their well-being, their proximity and access to opportunities, and how they uniquely navigate the future workforce. The congress is where all of us ensure that the undergraduate voice shapes the future of the physical sciences in higher education, the workforce, and in society.
As a Sigma Pi Sigma member, your support is vital in making this event a transformative experience for the next generation of physical scientists.
Chapters show off their personalities at the 2022 Chapter Showcase.
Join Us in Making a Difference
The Physics and Astronomy Congress is a major financial undertaking but one that is worth much more than the financial investment. AIP Foundation is supporting SPS and Sigma Pi Sigma by securing the necessary funding for this year’s congress. Join us in strengthening this vital community by contributing to the Student Success Fund with a personal tax-deductible donation or your company’s sponsorship. Your gift helps sustain the congress, inspire the next generation of physical scientists, and uphold the legacy of Sigma Pi Sigma.
About AIP Foundation
AIP Foundation, established in 2020 as the fundraising arm of AIP, plays a crucial role in securing philanthropic support for the Physics and Astronomy Congress. By facilitating donations, sponsorships, and grants, AIP Foundation ensures that students from diverse backgrounds can participate and benefit from this transformative experience. Gifts in support of the congress directly fund student travel expenses, program elements, and resources to ensure that attendees have a memorable and enjoyable experience.
If you have any questions or wish to discuss sponsorship opportunities, please contact Anna Lee, executive director of AIP Foundation, at alee@aip.org.
