Society of Physics Students involved in numerous activities

Preparing liquid nitrogen ice cream and building power tool drag racers are just a couple of the activities performed by the Society of Physics Students.

“It's a lot of fun because students take what they're learning and use it in a fun way,” said Jorge Ballester, professor of physics and SPS advisor.

SPS is a club that is open to all students with an interest in physics and its mission is to promote the learning of physics and to refine each member's skills.

Emporia State's SPS is one of 700 chapter members of the international organization. SPS was started in the late 1960’s and ESU has been a member ever since. According to the international SPS Web site, an affiliated honor, Sigma Pi Sigma, was created within the organization to induct members based on academic achievement.

Emporia's chapter has about 15 members, although not all currently active. Courtney Knaup, junior physics and mathematics major, is busy with a family emergency, currently holds the position of president in the SPS.

“Courtney is the real instigator of all activities,” Ballester said.

According to Ballester, the group recently finished the Trebuchet Project, which consisted of the construction of a catapult device. In the past, they have also constructed race cars out of common power tools. Then they raced their completed projects down the track. Currently, SPS is working on designing an electronic instrument for a faculty member in the earth science department.

However, not all SPS activities consist of play. Members also take part in fundraising and volunteer work and are currently working to be able to attend an upcoming rocket launching event in western Kansas. To raise money for this and other club activities, SPS has held garage sales and worked concession stands at sporting events.

“SPS is a great club for networking with other physical science majors, and attending meetings helps students network with professionals from various industries,” said Kim Strobel, a senior chemistry and secondary education major.

Strobel has been a member of SPS for two years. She joined the organization after working on an independent study project with Ballester, who encouraged her to sign up. During her involvement with SPS, Strobel helped run the registration booth at a conference last year.

To provide service to the community, Ballester said that members have participated in blood drives and held public science shows, in which they gave demonstrations for elementary and middle school children.

The group tries to meet regularly, but usually does not have a set meeting time. When conducted, meetings are generally held on a Monday afternoon. If SPS is getting together to work on a project, it is done in the lab or at a member's home.

According to Ballester, the organization is planning on holding an event this Saturday in which members will give demonstrations of completed projects and may prepare liquid nitrogen ice cream.