Physical Sciences Complex

The University of Maryland is building a new Physical Sciences Complex, a state-of-the-art facility, to house the Department of Physics, the Department of Astronomy and several interdisciplinary centers. With preeminent laboratories, auditoria, offices and classrooms equipped with the latest technologies and infrastructure, this new facility will allow Maryland Physics to attract top faculty and students and strengthen collaborations with government, industry and peer academic institutions. The Physical Sciences Complex provides the opportunities to make the University of Maryland a hub of world-class scientific discovery. (Construction is currently scheduled to begin by 2010, but contributions can move up the groundbreaking date.)

Summer Girls Program

The Summer Girls Program works to increase the representation of women in physics by introducing 8th grade girls to the wonders of science through an entertaining and educational summer day camp. An all-female team of faculty, staff and students use our world-class lecture demonstration facility to illustrate fascinating physics concepts. During a two-week session, students experience everything from developing photographs and making liquid nitrogen ice cream to seeing around corners and understanding superconductors. The 14-year-old program is free-of-charge and admittance is based upon the applicant's willingness to learn instead of her academic record. http://www.physics.umd.edu/outreach/summgirls.html

Physics Scholarship and Award Fund

The Physics Scholarship and Award Fund supplies our top incoming physics majors with new Dell laptops. Traditionally, these are students who have received scholarships from the University (such as the Banneker/Key). An integral student recruitment and retention tool, this fund allows us to offer that extra incentive to some of the brightest young scientists in the nation.

Physics is Phun

The Physics is Phun Program, under the direction of Professor Richard Berg, brings the excitement of physics and discovery to children and teens throughout the region, through a series of free public lecture-demonstrations. Dr. Berg and his staff use hands-on demonstrations from our world-class lecture demonstration facility to illustrate physics concepts. The programs held here at the University and the traveling programs, which present Physics is Phun at public schools across the region, reach more than 5000 parents, children and teenagers each year. http://www.physics.umd.edu/PhysPhun/

George A. Snow Memorial Fund

The George A. Snow Memorial Fund was recently established to honor the memory of a very distinguished member of our faculty who cared deeply about continuing the progress of women in the field of Physics. This fund provides for scholarships for female students who are promoting women in science.

Endowed Faculty Chairs

Several endowed faculty chairs support professorships that provide supplemental funds for physics faculty involved in cutting-edge research. These endowments are an integral tool in the retention of our accomplished scientists and the recruitment of young rising stars.

New Technology Classroom

The Department recently completed the construction of a new classroom equipped with the latest in instructional technologies. This new classroom provides the opportunity for an individual, business or organization to name the room, in exchange for a significant contribution to support the improvements necessary to maintaining high standards of technology and instructional aids. (Once the new Physical Sciences Complex is completed, the name will be transferred to a similar facility in the new building.)

Volunteer Opportunities

Several programs managed by the Materials Research Science & Engineering Center (MRSEC)* provide opportunities for alumni like you to help grow the field of physics by volunteering your time. Judging local science fairs, talking to high school students about your career path and helping middle school students prepare professional presentations for the annual Student Science Conference are only a few of the ways you can volunteer. The MRSEC is also interested in developing an internship program for graduate students – an endeavor to provide our students with valuable work experience and our participating businesses and research institutions with talented young scientists.

For more information about how you can support your university and your community with your time, please contact Donna Hammer at 301-405-8349 or dhammer@mrsec.umd.edu .

*The Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) is an NSF-funded interdisciplinary research center housed within the Department of Physics.