Future Physicists of Florida to host induction ceremony for first chapters in Pensacola and Tallahassee
The University of West Florida will host an induction ceremony for the first class of the Future Physicists of Florida (FPF) Pensacola chapter on Friday, Nov. 16 at 4:30 p.m. at the UWF School of Science and Engineering. The organization is dedicated to preparing middle and high school students for future careers in the science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) disciplines before they enter college.
The University of West Florida will host an induction ceremony for the first class of the Future Physicists of Florida (FPF) Pensacola chapter on Friday, Nov. 16 at 4:30 p.m. at the UWF School of Science and Engineering. The organization is dedicated to preparing middle and high school students for future careers in the science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) disciplines before they enter college.
The Future Physicists of Florida was founded earlier this year with the help of the Florida Legislature. The organization has partnered with UWF, FAMU, Florida State University and Tallahassee Community College to establish the first two chapters in Pensacola and Tallahassee. FSU will host an induction ceremony for the first class of the Tallahassee chapter on Nov. 16, as well.
“This is an example of a unique STEM outreach taking place throughout Florida, and we’re excited that UWF is playing an important role,” said Aaron Wade, Assistant Professor of Physics at UWF and one of the organizers of the Future Physicists of Florida.
The induction ceremony will feature a presentation from David Marker, entitled, “Why I Became a Physicist.” Kim Walden, a science specialist for the Escambia County School District, will speak on “The Benefits of Physics in High School.” The program also will include a tour of the Science and Engineering Building, poster presentations by the 2012 High School Summer Physics Research Program, demonstrations by the Society of Physics, and more.
The program will help the students determine which courses they need to take in middle and high school to be on track to succeed as a STEM major in college, and ultimately, in a STEM career field.
The first class of the UWF chapter will be made up of 8th grade students at Brown-Barge Middle School who will go through the IB program at Pensacola High School.
For additional information about the Future Physicists of Florida program, visit futurephysicistsfl.org.
