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  News and Notes from the February 14, 2008 SPS meeting



Announcements.
Deadline for national SPS scholarships is TOMORROW.
Bridget has been nominated for Associate Zone Councilor.
Public observing and astronomy talk is probably crapped out.
More summer REU opportunities are being added to the folder.


Zone meeting planning.
We need people to sign up to help.  We need to put together a draft
advertising flyer to send out to all the 90+ chapters in zones 9 and 11
soon.


Spring Banquet.
April 25.  18 students are eligible for induction.  The guest speaker will
be Jan Yarrison-Rice from Miami University of Ohio.  It will be held off
campus, but where?  Gasthaus in Stillwater?  Other places were suggested
last week, but nobody got any information about them.  We need to get
information soon so we can try and make a reservation.


Meeting with a meal.
A whopping 9 people replied to Dr. B's email last week, so he's extended
the voting until next meeting where we will decide on a date.  CAST YOUR
VOTES!


Fundraising.
Book sale/bake sale/walking taco sale to be held Feb. 25th (the last
Monday in February).  It is a good idea to post signs in CSH, KFA, and
other buildings a few days in advance so people know it's going on.  Any
volunteers to make signs to get put up...say...next week?


Alum in Egypt.
Deb Freitag is teaching in Egypt, and could use some supplies.  Another HS
teacher in our summer program is going to be visiting Deb this March and
could deliver some smaller sized stuff.  Should we send her a percentage
of our taco sales?  Dr. B is going to try and get a list of the equipment
she needs so we can see how we can help.


Twins game.
The people putting together the program will be meeting Feb. 23, and will
let us know if they still need volunteers afterwards.  The game would be
April 3 vs. the Angels, with pre-game physics activities at about 10:30,
game at noon (more physics during the game), and maybe a meal afterwards!


Design for Medical Devices Conference.
April 15-17 in the Twin Cities.  We sent a group for a day last  year,
should we do it again?  Coordinate with Pre-Engineering?  Invite the
Pre-Med Society?


Pre-Med Society.
They need some help.  They would like to do occasional evening review
sessions for the dreaded MCAT.  They've asked for help from physics
faculty.  Are there any upper level SPS members that would be interested
in assisting?  Tentatively once a week, every 3 weeks (rotate with
chemistry and biology reviews).


Spring picnic.
Keep it in mind, come up with dates that will work.


Pre-Engineering.
Monday they will be voting via a box in the seminar room for officers. 
They are also trying to work out rides to the Design for Medical Devices
Conference.


Voting.
There will be area voting the 19th from 7am-8pm in the University Center.


Demo.
We brought out the Van de Graff again, to play with the pie plates and a
candle.  It turns out the flame of the candle gets attracted to the dome
of the Van de Graff due to all the ionization thats going on in the air. 
We didn't expect it to happen, but when the Van de Graff killed our flame,
even some of the wax found itself attracted and flew onto our brand new
machine.


Minutes taken by Jen


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