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  News and Notes from the September 25, 2007 SPS meeting

Here's the updates as presented at the SPS meeting!!!

Student Senate Fall Elections.  Vote online today and tomorrow (or ask
Craig W. for more information...Matt B. has the flyer)


Spring Picnic Wrap-Up.  Dr. B. took made note of how much food/supplies
were purchased.  About 50 people showed up and the weather was great!  Any
suggestions for next time?


Book Sale.  We estimate that we sold about $200, and then sent 6 boxes of
books to the Camel Bookmobile project in Kenya.  We still have lots of
books left over, so hopefully the cabinets in 110 will hold out. :)


Physics Help Room.  There are a bunch of tests going on in a fairly short
amount of time, including Dr. B's intro class while he's away to an SPS
conference.  We may want to double up staff Wednesday, Thursday, and
Friday to ensure everyone gets help that they need.


Membership Drive.  You have until the end of October to sign up or re-new
your membership with the national SPS to be entered into our drawing for
phabulous prizes.  The membership costs $20, and you can sign up online or
get a paper form from Dr. B.  Currently we have 6 new members and 4
renewals.  Let Dr. B. know once you sign up so you can be entered in the
drawing.


Pre-Engineering Society.  Not many people showed up today due to a lack
of promotion?  Anywho, the meeting times are 11am Tuesdays (right before
the SPS meetings) in room 110.  They are looking for some volunteers for
what I understood to be for Science Day to 'hold the rod' (Chris, you talk
too fast for me to write).  Get ahold of Chris for more info if you are
willing to help out.  They are also investigating for demo and fundraising
ideas.


Dr. Hardtke stopped in to let us know Ben Sharp (did I spell his name
right?) will be visiting us on October 6th to talk to any Engineering
students interested in going to U of Minnesota.  For more information
contact Dr. Hardtke.


Science Day.  We have two sessions on Friday, October 5th that run from
10:15-11 and then from 11:15-12.  There will be need for some setup
Thursday, like the trebuchet prep, and we will finish setting up and
practice Friday morning.  We will need volunteers to...
  -Check condition of Trebuchet, especially its wheels
  -Team to bring the Trebuchet over Thursday
  -Team to repair/make sand bags for the Trebuchet
  -Procure a few small watermelons/cantalopes/pumpkins/fun things to toss
  -Concrete blocks for the bed of nails (4 blocks?)
  -Buy a new face shield for the bed of nails
  -Paint inside of big black box for doing plasma globe/tesla coil in room
lighting
  -Video tape events at both Science Day and at 3M
  -Help set up Thursday
  -Help set up Friday morning
  -Get liquid nitrogen Friday morning
  -Operate trebuchet in both sessions (Dr. B. will supervise)
  -Tour guides and experts for the stations
Be watching for a clipboard.


3M Update.  If you can participate be sure to sign up in advance on the
clipboard in the seminar room, and be sure to include your citizenship. 
This needs to be done by October 2nd.  We're leaning towards 4pm-ish for
the the radiation training on October 3rd.  We should also get a food
committee set up so we can eat!


Van De Graf Genearator.  It was a little humid today, so not all the
demos worked well.  The soap bubbles would repel and even sometimes
attract to the bulb when blown at it while it was running.  We also
discussed possibly buying it a new belt, and how if you blow dry the belt
before using it that it could negate some of the humidity factors.  We
also discussed possibly having a Rice Krispies in a cup demo, where the
Rice Krispies when slightly moistened (by your breath) are supposed to
shoot right out.


We (I mean Bridget) tested the Ouidin Coil Safety that Andy made for us. 
It made noise, but didn't hurt...SUCCESS!!!

Minutes taken by Jen

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