During the 2012 Quadrennial Physics Congress of Sigma Pi Sigma, SPS members from Lamar University (Beaumont, TX) met and talked to physics Nobel laureate John Mather about his work. The conversation was a turning point—the students decided to apply for an SPS Chapter Research Award to fund astronomy research that would include several studies of blackbody radiation. Their proposal was funded, and last January they received a $2,000 check to purchase equipment for the multipart project. According to participant Sara-jeanne Vogler, “we experienced astronomy research firsthand in ways that would not have been possible at our university otherwise.” For the full story, see “Astronomical Opportunities” in The SPS Observer, Summer 2014.
The SPS Chapter Research Award program provides calendar-year grants to support local chapter research activities. The projects are generously funded by donations from Sigma Pi Sigma alumni. See all of the 2013–14 award recipients here. 2014–15 winners will be announced in January.
