Physicists for Inclusion in Science (PhIS) had\na fun and productive summer! We participated in and hosted a number of events\non campus and in the community and planned for the 2019-2020 school year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PhIS has been making an\nongoing effort to make Weniger (the building that hosts the physics department)\na more welcoming and inclusive environment for all. This summer we decorated\nmany more of the display cases on the second and third floors of Weniger. The\nnew display cases on the second floor feature profiles of scientists from a variety\nof backgrounds. The new display cases on the third floor provide information to\nconnect students to campus resources. There is also now a board on the third\nfloor that features \u201cphysics around the world\u201d and includes a map to highlight\nrepresentation within our own department, both across the country and\ninternationally. Visit this display board to put your own pin on the map!\nAdditionally, in collaboration with the OSU chapter of the Society for Physics\nStudents (SPS), PhIS helped clean and paint the undergraduate study space, WNGR\n304f. We are in the process of painting a mural in there as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, PhIS, SPS, and Astronomy Club\nare working on a new interclub room called the Event Horizon (WNGR 381.) This space can be used by any of the clubs in\nthe department for meetings, events, and storing club supplies. We hope that\nhaving this communal space available will further build a sense of community\nwithin the department and invite more interaction between clubs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
PhIS participated in da Vinci Days this year,\nwhich is a local arts and science festival that showcases the creativity of community members, students\nand staff from LBCC and OSU. We had a table at this event to engage the\ncommunity with fun physics demos and conversation about diversity and inclusion\nin STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics.) It\nwas a great opportunity both for outreach and networking with other local\ngroups and we hope to participate again next year. A big thanks to the members\nof SPS who volunteered at our table!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We think it is important to address how\nmentally and emotionally demanding working in STEM can be, so we have been\nhosting self-care activities to promote wellness and provide opportunities to\nbond and support each other. This summer PhIS went for our second local hike,\nthis time on the Vineyard Mountain Loop in the McDonald State Forest. It was a great way to\ndestress and enjoy some nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PhIS also participated in the College of\nScience engagement day with LSAMP Bridge. LSAMP is a program for undergraduates\nin STEM funded by the NSF to help traditionally underserved minorities in STEM\nfields by getting them involved with their community and integrating them into\nacademic life here at OSU. We had a room full of demos for the students to\ninteract with, including laser mazes, a gravity well, and the spinning chair\ndemo. Then, we took them on lab tours around the department to expose them to\nresearch opportunities and to meet and ask questions to physics graduate\nstudents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finally, PhIS updated our website this summer!\nCheck it out at http:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/phis\/<\/a>.\nAlso, make sure to follow us on Instagram (@osu_phis) and Facebook (OSU\nPhysicists for Inclusion in Science.) We have a number of recruitment,\nmentoring, and social events planned for the fall and are very excited for the\n2019-2020 school year!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Physicists for Inclusion in Science (PhIS) had a fun and productive summer! We participated in and hosted a number of events on campus and in the community and planned for the 2019-2020 school year. PhIS has been making an ongoing effort to make Weniger (the building that hosts the physics department) a more welcoming and… Continue reading