Physics Education

This year's PISEC (Partnerships for Informal Science Education in the Community) High School Poster Symposium, hosted by JILA, contributed to bridging the gap between high school education and advanced university research. Supported by JILA's Physics Frontier Center (PFC), a center funded by the NSF, the PISEC program brought together high school students from various districts across Colorado, fostering an environment of learning and exploration within the JILA facilities.

The symposium, held annually, is a cornerstone event that allows young aspiring scientists to step into the world of professional research. Students embarked on an educational journey, beginning with engaging activities in the JILA auditorium and extensive lab tours. These experiences gave them a firsthand look at the cutting-edge research and daily operations within a leading research institution.

Introducing the next "Humans of JILA" epsiode for the highly anticipated second part of our PISEC series. PISEC (Partnerships for Informal Science Education in the Community) is an educational outreach and research program within JILA funded by the NSF-Center the JILA Physics Frontier Center (PFC).

Dive deeper into the world of informal physics education with returning insights from the six passionate PISEC members and volunteers you met previously. This episode also introduces two fresh voices in the field, enhancing our exploration of the vital role that physics education plays within the JILA, CU Boulder, and the broader Colorado community. Discover the impactful ways PISEC connects people to science and fosters a lasting enthusiasm for learning. Don't miss these powerful stories of dedication and discovery that highlight the transformative influence of PISEC on both learners and educators alike.

In its seventh episode, the "Humans of JILA" podcast highlights the Partnerships for Informal Science Education in the Community (PISEC) program.

PISEC is an educational outreach program supported by JILA's Physics Frontier Center (PFC) and the University of Colorado Boulder. Its mission revolves around connecting university volunteers with local K-12 students. Through playful and engaging inquiry-based science activities, it aims to inspire underrepresented student groups in STEM.

In an initiative to foster research and innovation, JILA's postdoctoral group recently organized a panel discussion focusing on proposal funding from national foundations. The event featured esteemed JILA Fellows and University of Colorado Boulder Physics Heather Lewandowski and Ann-Marie Madigan, who shared their insights and experiences in securing research funding. 

JILA's commitment to excellence and inclusivity was recently celebrated with the presentation of the JILA JEDI (JILA Excellence in Diversity and Inclusivity) Awards.JILA Postdocs Rachael Merritt and Jake Higgins were honored for their exemplary leadership of the recently founded JILA Postdoctoral Group. Additionally, JILA graduate student Sinéad Ryan also received a JILA JEDI Award, recognizing her outstanding leadership of the 'Life after JILA' group and her pivotal role in organizing the successful Life After JILA Alumni mixer.

For postdoctoral researchers looking to pursue a career in academia, understanding and writing faculty applications can be far from straightforward. To assist in this process, the JILA Postdoc Group, a group within JILA designed to support the postdoctoral community, held a “Write-in,” led by JILA’s Science Communicator Kenna Hughes-Castleberry.