April 17, 2004

Physics Olympics

On April 17, 2004 students from area high schools came to the University of Maryland Department of Physics for our annual Physics Olympics competition. Teams of students performed a variety of science-based competitions, including bridge building, an egg drop, a projective contest and more. Many congratulations to all who participated on their great efforts, especially Northern High School - First Place, Churchill High School - Second Place and Baltimore Polytechnic High School - Third Place.

Maryland Day

On Saturday, April 24th, The University of Maryland held its sixth annual Maryland Day, a campus-wide event open to the entire Baltimore-Washington community. More than 70,000 of our neighbors and friends visited the campus to "Explore Our World" through a variety of fun and educational activities. The Physics Department hosted many events, including liquid nitrogen ice cream, make-your-own slime, physics demos, lab tours, a pitching contest and a fascinating public lecture by Nobel Laureate William Phillips. Many thanks to all the volunteers who helped make the day a success!

Click here for the Maryland Day photo album.

Student Science Conference

On April 29, 2004, the Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC), an interdisciplinary research center housed within the Department of Physics, and the American Institute of Physics hosted the 7th annual Student Science Conference. Each of the 20 6th-8th grade students presented a six-minute oral presentation of his/her scientific research. Each student had worked with a University of Maryland researcher over the past month to prepare the presentation. This event is just one of the MRSEC's many successful outreach activities.

Congratulations all the students for a job well done and thanks to the many researchers who provided important mentorship!

Spring Academic Festival

On Friday, April 30, 2004, the College of Computer, Mathematical and Physical Sciences (CMPS) held its annual Spring Academic Festival. Faculty, staff, students and alumni from throughout the College received awards for their outstanding accomplishments.

Members of the Physics family who were honored include:

Ms. Kari Aldridge, assistant director of business and finance - Dean's Outstanding Exempt Employee Award

Dr. Jainendra Jain, the Erwin W. Mueller Professor of Physics at the Pennsylvania State University - CMPS Distinguished Postdoc Alum Award

Dr. George Sterman, director of the C.N. Yang Institute for Theoretical Physics - Physics Distinguished Alum Award

Many congratulations to all of this year's award recipients!

Click here for photos from the event.