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The traveling members of the US Physics team competed with 393 of the most talented young physicists on the global stage, representing 84 countries, during the 42nd International Physics Olympiad and they brought home two gold and three silver medals. The Olympiad, held July 10-17, was sponsored by the Promotion of Academic Olympiads and Development of Science Education Foundation (POSN), under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra, and Chulalongkorn University (CU), in Bangkok, Thailand.

AAPT joined over 140 organizations and universities in signing a AAAS letter that went to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee urging "strong support for the federal research and development budget of the National Science Foundation (NSF), and its mission to advance research across a broad spectrum of disciplines, research that has fueled American economic growth for decades." Copies were also sent to all members of the House Appropriations Committee.

See the letter and the story.

The US Physics Team is in Thailand at the International Physics Olympiad. The IPhO2011 Opening and Closing Ceremonies will be streamed live on the official website. Watch these events:

Opening Ceremony: Monday 11 July 2011 at 10.00 hrs local time (GMT+7) which is Sunday, July 10, 2011 at 11:00:00 PM (EDT).

Closing Ceremony: Sunday 17 July 2011 at 17.00 hrs local time (GMT+7) which is Sunday, July 17, 2011 at 6:00:00 AM (EDT).

AAPT has announced that David P. Jackson will assume the position of Editor for the American Journal of Physics in 2012.

AAPT is currently advertising for an Associate Executive Officer. The candidate will be involved with many aspects of AAPT including many of the grant funded programs (the New Faculty Workshop, ComPADRE, PhysTEC, etc.), monitoring state and federal policies that affect STEM education to alert membership about important legislation, communicating with appropriate bodies about AAPT's priorities on education issues, raising funds for existing and new programs, serving as AAPT's representative to other science and education associations as well as a number of other responsibilities. The position description is available on the AAPT Careers website.

In 1949 Enrico Fermi was asked to select items for a time capsule. The capsule was housed in the Research Institute at University of Chicago where Fermi worked after World War II. The time capsule has now been opened. Can you guess what was found inside the capsule?

The 2011 US Physics Team Travelers were announced as training camp came to an end. The team members who will represent the team in Bangkok, Thailand at the 42nd International Physics Olympiad are Lucy Chen, Andrew Das Sarma, Ante Qu, Eric Spieglan, and Brian Zhang with coaches Paul Stanley and Warren Turner. Read the press release.

The 2011 PhysicsBowl winners have been posted at http://aapt.org/Programs/contests/physicsbowl.cfm. Congratulations to the top students, teams, and teachers.

The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair is the world's largest international pre-college celebration of science. The 2011 Fair was held in Los Angeles and included 1,543 student Finalists who competed for over $4 million in total awards. The Finalists came from affiliate fairs in 65 countries, regions, and territories. AAPT and APS have been active participants in ISEF for many years, sponsoring prizes and providing judges.

The AAPT/APS First Place Winner, Yimeng Shi from Beijing, China, and Honorable Mention Awardee, Benjamin Mathias Clark from Millersville, PA, were also Grand Prize Winners in this year's fair.

The members of the 2011 US Physics Team have been selected.

Hubble 21st Anniversary Photo

Awards to be presented during the AAPT Summer Meeting:
James E. Hansen - Klopsteg Memorial Award
Brian Jones - Millikan Medal
Edward Prather - Halliday and Resnick Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Physics Teaching
Stacy McCormack - Zitzewitz Award for Excellence in Pre-College Teaching
Andrew Isola - Distinguished Service Citation
Todd Leif - Distinguished Service Citation
John Roeder - Distinguished Service Citation
Steven Turley - Distinguished Service Citation

At its November meeting, the American Physical Society Council elected to Fellowship five members of AAPT. Congratulations to Bruce Mason, John Mateja, Jose Mestre, David Van Baak, and Gary White.

Dr. Beth Cunningham is participating in the WIP conference in South Africa. Follow her blog at http://bethacunningham.wordpress.com/

For useful up-to-date information on the Fukushima nuclear power plant and other technical information see the following links: http://mitnse.com/, http://ansnuclearcafe.org/, and http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/.

The American Physical Society announced that the AAPT Physics Teaching Resource Agents Program has been awarded the 2011 Excellence in Physics Education Award. George Amann, Lawrence Bader, Robert Clark, Jan Mader, Karen Jo Matsler, and Jim Nelson have been invited to represent PTRA and receive the award during the April 2011 APS meeting.

AAPT joined other leaders in the scientific community in writing a letter of opposition to the House continuing resolution for FY2011 (H.R. 1) that would make deep cuts to the budgets of science agencies. AAPT members are urged to take action by contacting their Congressional representatives.

The American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) has announced that an endowment has been established for the Excellence in Pre-college Teaching Award through a generous gift from Paul W. and Barbara S. Zitzewitz.

The American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) has announced that David R. Sokoloff, Ph.D. has assumed the role of AAPT President. Sokoloff, Professor of Physics, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, will serve as President in 2011, and Past President in 2012.

During the Presidential Transfer ceremony at the AAPT 2011 Winter Meeting in Jacksonville, FL, David M. Cook reported on the accomplishments of the Association during his term as President.

Dr. Cunningham was introduced by former President, Lila Adair, at the beginning of the first plenary session of the 2011 Winter meeting. The full text of Dr. Cunningham's remarks is addressed to all AAPT members.

Dr. Cunningham's Opening Remarks