Send UMD Society of Physics Students to PhysCon 2016

What is The Society of Physics Students?

The Society of Physics Students (SPS) is a professional association for undergraduate students, and exists to help them transform themselves into contributing members of the professional science community. SPS is dedicated to connecting and advancing students interested in physics. The organization was formed in 1968 when the American Institute of Physics (AIP) student societies and the Sigma Pi Sigma honors society were combined.

At UMD, SPS fosters community within our department and offers support and guidance for all of our members. We sponsor talks by faculty, graduate students, and even undergraduates. The many research facilities nearby welcome us for visits. We also offer course advice and peer tutoring, as well as a wide variety of social and academic activities throughout the year.

What is PhysCon?

This November our national sponsoring organization, Sigma Pi Sigma, will host the 2016 Quadrennial Physics Congress (PhysCon), the largest gathering of undergraduate physics students in the world. PhysCon consists of three days of frontier physics, professional development workshops, and networking.

PhysCon 2016 will be a cutting-edge, life-changing meeting where participants will be immersed in theme “Unifying Fields: Science Driving Innovation.” This event happens only once every four years and as such is a once in a lifetime opportunity for most students to attend. The Congress will present unique opportunities for attendees to:

• Bond with fellow physics students from across the United States and beyond.
• Explore graduate programs, summer research opportunities, and workforce options.
• Be inspired by renowned physicists and tours of labs at the forefront of science and technology.
• Grow professionally through workshops on communication, inclusion, and leadership.
• Expand their understanding of physics and its variety of applications.
• Present their research to fellow students, potential graduate school advisors, and potential employers.

Why Contribute?

PhysCon fulfills the ideals of our organization in a meaningful and hands-on way. In the SPS we believe that coursework develops only one range of skills. Other skills needed to flourish professionally include effective communication, leadership experience, establishing a network of contacts, presenting scholarly work, and outreach to campus and local community. The students hoping to attend the congress will get to experience all this and more. The involvement and information acquired at PhysCon will lay the groundwork for our future careers in physics, not only for those attending, but for our entire student membership through shared knowledge and experience. The support from the Launch UMD campaign is critical to these students and their future success.

Gifts in support of the University of Maryland are accepted and managed by the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., an affiliated 501(c)(3) organization authorized by the Board of Regents.  Contributions to the University of Maryland are tax deductible as allowed by law.  Please see your tax advisor for details.