Illinois
Section
American Association of Physics Teachers
Minutes of the Spring Council
Meeting
Knox College, Umbeck Science-Mathematics Center D108
April 12, 2003
The meeting was called to order at 7:09 a.m. with
Gary Wolber presiding. Also in attendance were Ann Brandon, Curtis
Hieggelke, Kimberly Shaw, Ben Brown, Mark Boley, Diana Roth, Dave
Renneke, Bruce McCart, John Askill, Ray Bugayong, Duane Ingram, Charles
Schulz, and Carl Wenning.
Secretary-Treasurer Report: The minutes of
the last meeting and the treasurer's reports were reviewed and approved.
The current balance in the treasury is $3,600.60.
Section Representative Report: Curt
Hieggelke noted that he had made a motion to the AAPT leadership that
the national meeting be moved to include Martin Luther King Day in order
to help teachers avoid missing too many days of class at the beginning
of the school semester. The motion was turn down in deference to the
holiday. National meetings had been approved for Alaska, North Carolina,
and Ohio. Curt then distributed a teacher preparation reference library
on CD provided by Leonard Jossem of The Ohio State University. Curt also
reported that the AAPT has set aside money to support teacher
development. He suggested that the Illinois Section pursue some of this
money to host a statewide teacher preparation initiative similar to that
conducted in Texas earlier. Curt's written report is available online.
Representative to the AAPT High School
Committee Report: Ann Brandon noted that there was nothing new to
report, but that the AAPT has set aside a considerable amount of money
in support of PTRA.
Publicity Chair, Section Editor, and Webmaster
Report: Dave Renneke noted that there was nothing new to report.
Nonetheless, he was commended by the Council for excellent work,
especially in maintaining the ISAAPT Web site.
Newsletter Report: Roger Reeves was not
able to attend the Section meeting, but reported later through the
Secretary that he, as always, is in need of articles for publication. He
reported that the only expense for the newsletter at this time is for
postage. Next time there will be a printing expense in addition to the
postage. The cost for postage for sending out the latest edition of the
Illinois Physics Teacher was $72.50.
Outstanding High School Physics Teacher Award: Diana
Roth noted that the newly instituted process for nominations and
applications had worked extremely well, and that money ($60-$70) and
effort had been saved. There were 11 new nominations as a result of a
much more extensive e-mail solicitation effort, with 7 completed
applications. It was moved, seconded, and carried (MSC) that in the
future non-winners be invited to attend a section meeting within the
year with free registration and membership (but not meals). This offer
will be made to first-time registrants only, but new applicants from
this year will receive the offer next year. The award winner for this
year was Michael Rolf.
Committee for the Distinguished Service
Citation Report: Carl Wenning noted that no nominations have been
received for this year's citation. He encouraged the Council to consider
candidates and make nominations.
Fall Meeting: Carl Wenning reported that
the fall meeting will be sponsored by Illinois State University in
Normal but that the meeting might actually be held at nearby Illinois
Wesleyan University in Bloomington. This possible change is due to
elimination of the autumn break day on October 11 at ISU, in conjunction
with the shutdown of a major classroom building that will require
classes to run from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Carl noted
that the theme will be "Recruitment and Retention of Physics
Majors" with a panel discussion and several invited speakers. It
was suggested that Leon Lederman be invited to speak about "Physics
First" and to include consideration of "pipeline
leakage," especially with respect to women and minorities. It was
also mentioned to look into Project Kaleidoscope for additional
ideas.
Future Meetings: Meetings are scheduled as
follows - UIUC, Spring 2004; Bradley University, Fall 2004; SIUE, Spring
2005; and Riverside-Brookfield High School in Riverside, IL, Fall 2005.
There were no new offers for additional future meeting sites.
New Business:
1. The ISAAPT Guidebook Program was reviewed and
approved for three additional years. Carl noted that only five requests
for books had been placed during the past year (all from Illinois State
University), in spite of the fact that the program has been promoted
regularly in The Illinois Physics Teacher.
2. ISTA has asked for ISAAPT representation at the
ISTA state meetings. Gary will attend on behalf of the Section on
October 18 at Peoria in an effort to build the idea of working with
unprepared and underprepared elementary and middle school teachers of
science, and any possible future relationship. (Secretary's note: This
approach was also agreed upon at the Spring meeting's panel discussion
held a day earlier to be the best general approach that the
"alliances and outreach" should take in future contacts
between all physics teachers and other teachers.) It was generally
agreed that the Section would not hold its meetings in conjunction with
ISTA due to prior negative experiences. It was MSC that Gary's travel
and conference expenses be paid by the ISAAPT.
3. Gary commended Charles Schulz for the excellent
meeting, and for making it appear easy. Charles reported that two
conference speakers had turned down their honoraria and that the
conference would end in the black. Gary and Charles will both send
letters of thanks to invited speakers and workshop presenters.
4. Ann noted that Harper College is currently
seeking donations for the Betty Windham Scholarship Award. Betty is a
former ISAAPT president. The AAPT has already provided $2,000 for the
award, and it was MSC that $100 be sent by ISAAPT. Ann was given
permission to solicit the current ISAAPT membership for additional
contributions.
5. Carl brought up the point that the Council
might want to consider increasing award amounts for ISAAPT programs. It
was decided that the Outstanding High School Physics Teacher award would
remain at $100 because additional benefits were already included. It was
decided that the Student Research Symposium awards would increase by $25
each, to $100, $75, and $50 respectively for first, second, and third
place - starting next year. It was noted that the Distinguished Service
Citation does not have a monetary award, and this is as it should be.
6. Gary brought up on behalf of Narendra Jaggi a
proposal to consider an Iraq Peer-to-Peer Initiative with Iraqi physics
teachers and students. Narendra submitted the following proposal
language in writing, "We believe in the aftermath of the war with
Iraq, there might be an opportunity for the ISAAPT to spearhead, for the
purposes of cultivating goodwill between our two countries, a program
for peer-to-peer interaction at the level of high school physics
teachers and students. This interaction might include book donations,
Internet "classmates," and exchange visits. It is hereby
proposed that the President appoint an ad hoc committee to explore the
issue." Following a brief discussion, Gary created the ad hoc
committee, appointing Narendra as head with the committee membership
including Curtis Hieggelke and Carl Wenning. The committee will report
to the Council as expeditiously as possible.
7. Carl then drew attention to the fact that
Council does not have a precedent for making policy decisions using the
list serve. He suggested that a Standing Rule be implemented and
appended to the Bylaws. A consensus was reached that electronic votes
via list server is an acceptable interpretation of the mandate of the
Council under the ISAAPT Bylaws. The following criteria will be adhered
to for making policy decisions: a) a formal motion must be sent by the
initiator to both President and Secretary-Treasurer for their individual
consideration; b) after approval of both President and
Secretary-Treasurer have been obtained for presenting and discussing the
motion, the President will present the proposal to the Council
electronically for their consideration; c) following a one-week
discussion period, the President will call for a vote on the motion with
a three-day waiting period for all votes; d) in order for a motion to
pass, there must be a simple majority of all Council members. Council
members may vote "present" in order to abstain. The motion was
moved, seconded, and carried.
8. Duane Ingram noted that the Illinois Community
College Board has approved a set of natural science IAI transfer
requirements for two-year degrees, but that he was uncertain as to what
role the Physics committee selected by the Board had played in this
decision.
9. John Askill was recognized for his years of
service to the ISAAPT by serving on its Council and hosting a recent
fall meeting. John was encouraged to have a long and fun-filled
retirement in Florida.
The Council, having no further business, adjourned
at 8:32 a.m.
Carl J. Wenning
Secretary-Treasurer
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