Washington Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers Annual Meeting Saturday, October 10, 2009 Location: PSE Wild Horse Wind Farm

Meeting Theme

The Role of Physics in Addressing the Energy Needs of the 21st Century. Several invited and contributed presentations will focus on incorporating the topic of energy (energy needs, alternative energy sources, etc.) into the physics curriculum.  Contributed presentations on other physics topics are always welcome.

The tentative agenda can be found here.

Plenary Speakers

Two plenary presentations have been tentatively scheduled for this meeting. Dr. Gregory D. Bothun of the Department of Physics at the University of Oregon will give a presentation entitled "Renewable Energy at the TerraWatt Scale." Dr. David Ginger of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Washington will present "Plastic Solar Cells: Challenges and Opportunities in Thin Film Photovoltaics."

PSE Wild Horse Wind Farm and Lunch Tour

Directions to the PSE Wild Horse Wind Farm can be found using this link. The facility is about 30 minutes east of Central Washington University.

At lunch, a tour of the wind and solar facility has been scheduled. A signed liability form is required to participate in the lunch tour. All tour participants must be wearing closed-toed sturdy shoes. Tour participants under 18 years of age must have the liability form signed by a parent or legal guardian.

Registration Information

Registration for the meeting will be from 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM on Saturday, October 10 in the main lobby of the Renewable Energy Center at the Wild Horse Wind Farm.  While no formal registration is required before the conference, please contact Mike Jackson (jacksonm@cwu.edu) if you are planning to attend; this will help us with organizing the meeting.

The section charges a registration fee of $10.00 solely to defray the expenses associated with the meeting.  You do NOT need to be a member of the national AAPT organization to participate in this meeting. Students who are members of SPS are admitted free.

In part, the registration fee covers the cost of beverages, snacks, and lunch that are provided. Unfortunately we cannot cover special dietary needs; please contact Mike Jackson (jacksonm@cwu.edu) if this is a problem.

Construction along I-90

For participants traveling from the Seattle area, please be advised of several major construction projects along I-90. The Ellensburg Daily Record recently wrote a story on these projects. The WSDOT anticipates drivers heading eastbound will experience moderate congestion and some added travel time.

Before heading over the pass

Check the best time to drive to avoid major delays due to construction by going online to:

• www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I90/LkEastonToBullfrogWB/

• www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic

Check current traffic and construction conditions by:

• Tuning into Highway Advisory Radio at 1610 AM and 530 AM.

• Call 5-1-1 from their hands-free device for current conditions.

• Watch for electronic message signs.

• Twitter traffic updates on mobile phone at: http//twitter.com.wsdot.

Ellensburg Motels and Hotels

There are a number of hotels and motels in Ellensburg. The prices for the Days Inn, 901 Berry Road (888-889-9870) includes tax and a continental breakfast; 1 bed: $84.14; 2 beds: $89.09. Rooms must be reserved by October 3rd; please mention Washington Physics Teachers to get the state rate.

Prices for The Inn at Goose Creek, 1720 Canyon Road (509-962-8030) are $70 per night plus tax for a one-person queen. There are only 10 rooms at this facility.

Other hotels/motels include in alphabetical order:

Comfort Inn, 1722 Canyon Road (509-925-7037)

Holiday Inn Express, 1620 Canyon Road (509-962-9400)

Quality Inn, 1700 Canyon Road (509-925-9800)

Rainbow Motel, 1025 West University Way (509-933-7100)

Super 8 Motel of Ellensburg, 1500 Canyon Road (509-962-6888)

Thunderbird Motel, 403 West University Way (509-962-5585)

MORE INFORMATION????

For more information about this meeting please contact:

Mike Jackson, Physics Department, Central Washington University, Ellensburg WA 98926-7422

email: jacksonm@cwu.edu  phone: (509) 963-2914