Society of Physics Students honored for outreach activity

By Cheryl Jones
University News Service
July 17, 2007

Texas State University-San Marcos’ Society of Physics Students has won an award in recognition of one of their outreach activities. Five chapters from across the country were chosen by the national Society of Physics Students and were notified by mail in mid-June.

“There are approximately 700 chapters in the national organization, so it is pretty prestigious,” said David Donnelly, professor, chair and SPS advisor for the physics department.

The Blake Lilly Prize recognizes SPS chapters who make an effort to positively influence the public about physics. The prize comes with a certificate, a set of three-volume Feynman lectures on physics and the names of the winning chapters are published in publications by the national SPS. This is Texas State’s first time to win this award.

“Receiving this award means that the chapter has been exemplary in its outreach activities,” Donnelly said. 

The Texas State SPS outreach activity that was recorded and sent in for the award this year, consisted of seven members going to the Hernandez Intermediate School in San Marcos. The students worked with 5^th grade students while they prepared for their "Discover Nature" science competition that was held in March.

“I think this award will serve as motivation for the chapter to continue its outreach activities in the coming year,” Donnelly said. “This is a great award for the students.  They worked very hard this year, and it's great that they have been recognized.”

The Society of Physics Students is open to anyone interested in physics. About 5,000 students take part in chapter activities each year, making SPS the fourth largest physics society in the country. Currently Texas State’s SPS member count is 15.