Our Mission

Locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally, the SPS offers the opportunity for these important enrichments to the student's experience.

                1. Locally, there are chapter meetings, where students may make presentations, invite local guest speakers, plan science outreach programs (such as "Physics Circuses" in local elementary schools, or tutoring services on campus), or organize a departmental picnic or a science film-festival. Chapter meetings are limited only by the imaginations of the members!

                  SPS members may apply for one of the annual SPS scholarships awarded for the senior year of study. The chapter may apply for a Marsh White Award and a Sigma Pi Sigma Undergraduate Research Award. The Marsh White Award funds science outreach programs in the local community. The Sigma Pi Sigma Undergraduate Research Award supports research projects conducted by the chapter.

                2. Regionally, the SPS is organized into 18 zones. At the semi-annual Zone meetings, students from many chapters meet to enjoy fellowship, present research papers, tour laboratories, hear nationally known distinguished guest speakers, and exchange ideas on topics of mutual interest, such as ideas for science outreach to grades K-12, or career options besides physics that are open to one with a physics degree. Attending Zone meetings is the most effective way to build and maintain a healthy chapter.

                 AIP and SPS placement services are available to members of SPS. Starting in the 1995-96 academic year, some Zone meetings will include a placement center, linking new recipents of BA/BS degree with potential employers.

                Members of SPS receive Physics Today, the publication sent to all members of AIP Member Societies; the Journal of Undergraduate Research in Physics, where student research is published; and the SPS Newsletter, published five times per year, which covers local, regional, and national SPS activities and includes the latest job information. They may subscribe at special rates to AIP and Member Society journals, including: American Journal of Physics, The Physics Teacher, Applied Physics Letters, Journal of Applied Physics, The Journal of Chemical Physics, Computers in Physics, Journal of Mathematical Physics, The physics of fluids, The Review of Scientific Instruments, Physics of Plasmas, The Industrial Physicist, and Chaos.

                 3. Nationally, the policies of SPS are set by the National Council, which is elected by chapters within geographic zones. Faculty members are nominated by chapters to represent their Zones as Councilors. The President of the National Council and the President of SPS are elected by the chapters and are elected for one-year terms. Both Councilors and Associate Councilors participate in Zone activities and in the annual policy-making meeting of the Council. Councilors organize committees within Zone and serve on committees of the National Council.

                  SPS chapters with a Sigma Pi Sigma chapter award recognition and distinction to students who have achieved high scholarship by electing them to membership in Sigma Pi Sigma.

                  4. Internationally, the SPS sends two students per year to represent the USA in the International Conference of Physics Students (ICPS). There are also a few SPS chapters outside the USA.