SHAPE
Symposium on Horizons in Astronomy and Physics Education

Department of Physics and Astronomy

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Since 2008 the UNC-BEST program has invited North Carolina physics (and other) teachers to join us for a symposium on current advances in physics, astronomy, and the teaching of these subjects in secondary schools. The symposia feature talks by leaders in the field about astronomy and physics research, the application of physics in a variety of contexts, and physics and astronomy pedagogy. There are also hands-on activities and tours of research labs in the UNC-CH Physics & Astronomy Department or activities at the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center.

Teachers who come to SHAPE have the opportunity to share ideas and learn from other teachers from across North Carolina in an informal atmosphere. Those who attend the entire symposium are eligible to receive Continuing Education Unit credits.

To see list of speakers and hands-on activities from recent symposia, look here.

The titles of the talks to be presented in the morning are still being finalized, but will include the following:

• Dr. Robert Janssens (UNC-CH) It’s Nuclear: The Hulk, Gamma Rays, the Atomic Nucleus and Shining Stars
• Mr. Michael Wilson (NCSU) Bringing Light into the Light: Redesigning How We Portray Electromagnetic Waves for Better Student Understanding
• Dr. Tom Clegg (UNC-CH) Why is the Globe Warming? How Physics Explains the Earth's Temperature Rise
• Dr. Allison Hartman (Leica Microsystems) A-Scan, B-Scan, Eye Scan: Using Optical Coherence Tomography to Create 3D Eye Images

After lunch there will be a hands-on workshop on "Astronomy by Sight" led by Dr. Dan Young (UNC-CH) followed by a special presentation at the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center.

The symposium will take place on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at the Department of Physics and Astronomy on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the activities will end at 5:00 p.m. The registration fee of $20 (payable in advance or at the start of the symposium) covers all symposium materials as well as lunch.

To register for the symposium, follow this link. Detailed information about the symposium logistics will be sent to all registrants.

We look forward to seeing you at SHAPE 2019!