Physicists To-Go

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APS recognizes the importance of a thriving physics community where everyone is invited to participate. Our programs aim to expand the view of what it means to be a physicist by providing physics access to diverse audiences. We wish to inspire interest in STEM careers at a young age, so we have launched a new program, Physicists To-Go, designed to bring physicists into classrooms across the country. Our hope is that a classroom experience with a physicist will provide early exposure to science and build excitement among our students to learn more.

When you sign up as a physicist or teacher, you will be paired for a virtual visit based on desired topic, school level, and requested visit type. Physicists can specify the topics and grade level they feel comfortable presenting to; teachers can choose topics they would like the physicist to present on, which include any field of physics, other science topics, or the career path of the physicist. A list of topics based on middle and high school NGSS standards is linked here.

Your virtual visit can take on different forms. Examples of visit formats include: short presentations, Q & A with the class, and a demo or interactive activity led by the physicist. The format will be determined by the teacher and physicist once they are paired.

How to sign up:

Teachers:

If you are a middle or high school teacher interested in bringing a physicist to your classroom, please sign up using the form below. The sign up window for 1st semester will open in August/September (virtual visits will take place between October-January). The sign up window for 2nd semester will open in January (virtual visits will take place between February-May).

If you would like to communicate with physicists using an online discussion forum instead of live online video visits, check out the Adopt-a-Physicist program brought to you by our sister societies: AIP and AAPT.

Physicists:

If you are an APS member with a background in physics and would like to join a middle or high school classroom, sign up to become a Physicist To-Go using the form below. The sign up window for 1st semester will open in August/September (virtual visits will take place between October-January). The sign up window for 2nd semester will open in January (virtual visits will take place between February-May).

Please review this Virtual Visit Guidance for Physicists to prepare for a class visit.

Eligibility and classroom visits:

This program is open to middle and high school teachers.
Any APS member with a physics background may sign up as a physicist to join the classroom virtually, via two ways:
1. Join via a live video call with the teacher and students in the classroom.
2. Students and teachers can submit questions for the physicist to then answer over a pre-recorded video.

If both parties enjoy the program and agree to continue doing more virtual sessions, the physicist may join the classroom more than once.

If you have questions, please email physicscentral@aps.org.