To: 2007 Summer Physics Workshop Participants

From: Thomas Nordlund, Physics Undergraduate Program Director

Date: 8 June, 2007

Re: Schedule and information

Let me congratulate and thank you for planning to attend the UAB Physics Workshop, supported in part this year by the Alabama Power Foundation and Alabama Adventure. It is now about one month before the start of workshop. This will be the fourth summer for the “compact” workshop format for our Physics Research Experiences program, and we believe it will be enjoyable and valuable for your future education in science. This year we have planned an initial three days centered on “Roller Coaster Physics”. This is a serious Physics exercise, but it should also be a great deal of fun, as you apply fundamental physical principles, as well as computer simulations and digital video analysis to riding and designing roller coasters. Physics underlies virtually all of the worldwide technological economy and plays key roles in some surprising multidisciplinary efforts. Besides offering you a great future working in any of a wide variety of institutions and companies (including working for yourself), training in physics will make you the person others turn to when unfamiliar new problems emerge.

Attached to this letter are some important items that you should look at, in planning for your participation in the Workshop, July 5,6,9,10 plus 4 individually-scheduled days. Please bring all these materials with you the first day. Before you come, fill out and sign (parent/guardian, too) the information and consent forms.

Parent/guardian, transportation and parking. It is not necessary that a parent/guardian attend the first day of the workshop, as long as the attached consent form is signed beforehand. Parent and student should, however, discuss transportation to and from the Alabama Adventure Roller Coaster Day, July 6. You must get to and from the park on your own and should be prepared to pay the parking fee ($7[1]. If someone drops you off, there would clearly be no parking fee.)

To get to our UAB location, it is most convenient if you approach Campbell Hall from the 13th-Street side (there is a drop-off point just before the parking lot entrance) and enter through the main back door. See map. If you will be driving yourself, park on the street the first day. If you desire, you may then purchase a temporary lot permit for subsequent days.

Please contact me by phone (205-934-0340), email ( ) or mail (see address below) if you have questions.

Sincerely yours,

Thomas M. Nordlund

Physics Undergraduate Program Director

Focuses of Workshop:

Roller Coaster Physics, including a design competition
Doing modern research
Careers
The legacy of Einstein

Schedule of Events:

Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday
July 2 / July 3 / July 4
4th of July / July 5
· Registration, orientation
· Shadowing days sign-up
· Physics of Roller Coasters
· Digital Video techniques
· Accelerometers
· Roller Coaster design software / July 6
Day at Alabama Adventure:
· Ride "Rampage" & "Zoomerang"
· Use accelerometer, digital video
· Free time
July 9
· Analyze Alabama Adventure results
· Begin Roller Coaster design competition / July 10
· Complete Roller Coaster design competition
· Judging
· Prep. for research shadowing / July 11 / July 12 / July 13
Laboratory shadowing: 4 days;
Schedule in July, August. / Nanotechnology / Lasers / Diamond / Computers
Electronic materials / Biophysics / Astro-science
Einstein Physics Lecture: Scheduled in Fall Semester (tba)

Approx time: 10 AM - 3:00 PM each day (Earlier start on Alabama Adventure day.)

Dates: July 5, 6, 9, 10, 2007, plus four individually-scheduled research shadowing days

Locations

· CH = Campbell Hall, 13th St S. and University Blvd. Room 302 is on 3rd floor, 461 on 4th.

· Alabama Adventure (Formerly Visionland; replace “Visionland Parkway” with “Alabama Adventure Parkway”) location below. Exit interstate 20 on Alabama Adventure (Visionland) Parkway. The park is next to Watermark Place, an outlet mall.

Dept. of Physics, UAB

Campbell Hall, 1300 University Blvd

Birmingham AL 35294-1170

Student Information Form[2]

Summer, 2007 Physics Workshop

Please fill in the following information and bring to orientation at UAB on July 5.

Name / Telephone / Address / Notes
Student / H:
W:
Cell:
Parent/Guardian / H:
W:
Cell:
Person(s) to contact in emergencies: / H:
W:
Cell:
(Circle primary) / (Circle primary)
Secondary contact: / H:
W:
Cell:
Physician:
Health Insurance Provider
Allergies, medications, other special needs.*

* Normal accommodations for handicapped access will be provided, though access to many lab areas may be limited. Parent/guardian and the student should arrange for any routine medications or treatments. UAB personnel will not provide or administer medications or first aid except in emergencies.

______(hereafter “the participant”)
(Print Name of Participating Minor)

______
(Address including City, State, Zip Code)

______
(Participant’s Date of Birth) (Participant’s Social Security Number)

I, the undersigned Parent/Guardian of the above referenced participant acknowledge that I understand and hereby consent and agree as follows:

The named participant has been offered the opportunity to participate in a project at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (“UAB”) under the supervision of:

Supervisor: / Thomas M. Nordlund / Department: / Physics
Project location: / Campbell Hall / Start Date: / 7/05/06 / End Date: / 8/04/06

Some areas of the University campus are potentially hazardous environments. Even under ideal conditions, including the proper use of materials and adherence to safety procedures, a risk of personal injury exists. Failure to adhere to established procedures may result in even greater risk. The participant will receive appropriate training from their supervisor on how to identify hazards and work with materials and equipment safely, and will be supervised in the handling of instrumentation and materials that may pose a risk. I understand that the participant may be removed from the project on a temporary or permanent basis if he/she refuses to or is unable to follow the safety rules, wear assigned personal protective equipment and perform the work as directed.

I agree to notify the above named Supervisor of any allergies or other physical, mental or emotional condition that might limit the participant’s ability to safely participate in the these activities.

I give permission to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (“UAB”), it’s physicians, faculty and staff members, agents and services to provide such emergency care and treatment to the minor, as in their judgment may be deemed necessary or advisable in the event that the minor should require emergency care while participating in the project at UAB. I agree to assume the costs of such emergency care and treatment, if any such costs are incurred.

In consideration of the opportunity to participate in the above described program, I agree to indemnify, release and hold harmless the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, its faculty, staff and agents from and against any and all claims, suits and damages relating to or arising out of the minor’s participation in the project, excepting only claims, suits and damages arising out of the sole negligence of the University.

Signature of Parent/Guardian: / Printed Name of Parent/Guardian:
Date: / Daytime Phone:
Emergency Contact
(other than parents): / Phone:
Witness Signature / Printed Name:
Date:

Consent to Photograph and Videotape

I, ______, authorize UAB, a division of the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama, or its agents, to photograph, videotape and to publish photograph(s) and/or short video clips of me or permit other persons to use negatives, prints or digital media versions of photographs/video clips prepared there from for such purposes and in such manner as may be deemed necessary or desirable by UAB to promote the department of Physics and UAB.

I hereby waive any right to any claim for payment or royalties in connection with any exhibition, publication or other showing of such photograph(s) or video clips.

Date:______Consentee: ______

Address: ______

______

______Parent/Guardian:______

Witness

Contact Information

Who / Name / Tel.* / Office Location**
Workshop Director / Tom Nordlund, Assoc. Prof., Physics Undergrad. Program Director / 4-0340
4-8042 (fax) / CH 345
Teacher-assistant / Robert Swartley / 4-4736 / CH 310
Physics Dept. main office / Jerrie McCurry
Amanda Holt / 5-8190
4-8094
4-8042 (fax) / CH 310
Physics Mentors / Prof. Renato Camata
Prof. Tom Nordlund
Prof. A. Stanishevsky
Prof. Yogesh Vohra
Prof. Mary Ellen Zvanut
Prof. David Shealy (Chair) / 4-8143, 581-2951 / CH 343
CH 345
CH 342
CH 387
CH 384
CH 310
UAB Safety Office / 4-2487 (non-emergency) / CH19 445
UAB Campus Police / 4-3535 (emergency)
4-4434, 4-6715 (routine) / 1117 14th St S.
Security Alert Escort Service
(after 6:30 PM) / 5-9633
5-9631
or 5-9630
UAB Motorist Assistance Road Service (MARS) / 5-6277
Birmingham Area Crisis Center / 323-7777
Default Emergency No. / 911
(No prefixes)

* For telephone number 4-xxxx (5-xxxx), dial 934-xxxx (975-xxxx) outside UAB and 4-xxxx (5-xxxx) within the UAB system. The area code for UAB is 205.

** CH = Campbell Hall, 1300 University Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35294-1170

[1] Last year I got this parking fee waived for workshop participants, but this may not be the case in 2007.

[2] This information sheet will be kept only in paper form and will be shredded after the Workshop ends.