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  News and Notes from the November 6, 2007 SPS meeting


Intramural Volleyball.  Rumor has it we lost last night.  Our standings
are now 1-3.  We could use a few more people of both sexes to show up...


New Richmond High School.  Its been decided that the basketball/egg drop
from the obeservatory deck needs to be practiced some more to see if the
egg will actually survive the meeting with the basketball.  Also, when we
use the obersvatory dome, we have to remember to close it...


Public Observing Next Week.  Dr. Hardtke will talk about the Big Bang
Theory (the actual theory, not the tv show) and problems with it at 7:30,
with observing to follow.  The comet should be visable, although it seems
to have broken up...


Dr. Madsen's announcements.  Dr. Spiczak and Dr. Madsen have received
grants to redesign the astrophysics course.  They plan on taing
measurements with new oscilloscopes and other new toys, but they need
volunteers to help set them up, as they have come in kits.  It was
announced that careful technique is more valued than experience in the
assembly of these kits.  There are also chances to travel to Sweden during
the summer to work on bubble cameras.  The bubble cameras would help
determine if pockets of air freeze when they lower the strings into the
ice at IceCube.  There is also a chance to research dark matter and
neutralinos.  On top of all this, there is a chance we might be able to
send someone to Germany for a summer.  Start thinking about these great
opportunities and let Dr. Spiczak or Dr. Madsen know if you are
interested.  


Rocket Competition.  Sign up!  Pick up your kits!  The deadline to enter
is Monday, November 12th with launch day being Thursday, November 15th
from 10am-2pm.  Chris modeled one of our tracking systems for us today. 
We need somebody to convert the computer code, tho.  Chuck?  Chris will
bring in his lauching equipment.  If it's too windy we will reschedule.


Demo.  We received our SOCK kit.  In it are:
1. a rocket car to be powered by coke and mentos (also included) along
with PlayDoh to make people to put in the seats to strap in with their
little seat belts to show the effects of not wearing your seat belts.
2. a Hot Wheels speed gun to measure how fast our rocket car is going.
3. launching projectiles with a spandex sling-shot
4. more diffraction glasses!
5. a manual of ideas (somebody should look at this)


Shirt Design.  We need some help designing ordering ads and our promo
fliers.  Jen will help.


Bakken Museum.  Thinking about going the 15th or the Thursday after
Thanksgiving.


Pre-Engineering.  They are working on setting up a formal event for next
month with a keynote speaker and to discuss the projects they've done. 
Shawntel also informed me that the elections have been changed so that
they happen the semester before Spring semester so the officers will run
the calendar year and not the school year.


Membership Drive.  14 new members, 14 renewals...a record!!!  We gave out
our phabulous prizes today.  If you weren't present at the meeting stop by
the advanced lab room to find your prize on a cart...your name is on your
prize :)

Minutes taken by Jen


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