About SPS
The Juniata College
Society of Physics Students formed on December 27th, 1974. SPS national
is a professional organization designed explicitly for students. The JC
SPS chapter has participated in community-outreach activities such as physics
demonstrations at surrounding malls, schools and other community venues.
We usually meet twice a month in the late evening on Thursdays. A typical
meeting will begin at roughly 9:05PM Thursday night, and last approximately
30 minutes. Afterwards, friends and officers typically continue to discuss
meeting topics, although most people go away to finish homework assignments.
Meetings are led by elected student
officers.
In 1998, the now annual Physics
Phun Night began. It invites Juniata students, faculty, citizens of
Huntingdon and children from local schools to witness exciting physics demonstrations
in a festive atmosphere. Each demonstration is accompanied by a basic explanation
of the physical principle involved. Inspired by similar demonstrations witnessed
by Dr. Borgardt, PPN has become on of Juniata College's favorite traditions.
Each year, a new Juniata faculty member is chosen to participate in the
bed-of-nails demonstration with our faculty advisor, Dr.
Jim Borgardt. We have won SPS Zone 3 Outstanding Chapter Award 10 years
running!
Mission Statement
WE, the members of the
Juniata
College Society of Physics Students,
believe that physics can be fun and meaningful at the same time. Physics,
from the Greek (
phusiké) or 'knowledge of nature' is the science
that seeks to understand the fundamental laws of the universe. Following in
the footsteps of creative and diligent physicists like Newton, Einstein, Feynman,
and Jason (from Foxtrot), we believe that the pursuit of "ah-ha!," moments
and tongue-in-cheek humor are necessary components of a liberal arts education.
We try to understand why some of the brightest human minds have spent time
grinding out tedious proofs or slaving over experimental data. We believe
that understanding the laws of nature can not only benefit humankind, but
that understanding nature is an apotheosis of humankind unto itself.
