Campus News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oct. 4, 2024

ROCKFORD, ILL.- Physicist and Airworthiness Deputy at NASA K. Renee Horton, Ph.D., will present “The Intersection of Talent and Passion” on Friday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. as part of Rockford University’s Forum Series in collaboration with the Illinois Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT).

Rockford University is hosting the joint fall 2024 ISAAPT and WAPT (Wisconsin Area Physics Teachers) meeting entitled “Physics Without Boundaries.”

This public talk is part of the Forum Series and will also be the keynote speech for the AAPT conference.

The event will be held in Maddox Theatre in Clark Arts Center on Rockford University’s campus. Rockford University is located at 5050 E. State St. in Rockford, Illinois.

There will be several sessions that may be of interest to a wide range of audiences such as sessions on science communication, inclusivity in the classroom, contributed talks on the use of augmented and virtual reality, a presentation on the “Lost City,” and “Clipper” missions in an inflatable planetarium dome.

To register for the conference, use this link.

The public talk by Dr. Horton is free and open to anyone. We ask guests to RSVP to the event at this link here.

About K. Renee Horton, Ph.D.

Dr. Horton is an advocate for diversity and inclusion in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and works in the community for STEM education and STEM outreach. She believes in changing the face of STEM and is the founder of Unapologetically Being, Inc. a nonprofit for advocacy and mentoring in STEM.

In her lecture, Dr. Horton will explore the intersection of science research, life’s struggles, and a career in STEM, focusing on the theme of overcoming a disability. Through personal anecdotes and scientific accomplishments, we will delve into the challenges faced highlighting the power of determination and perseverance in overcoming obstacles. Join us as we discuss how resilience, innovation, and a passion for discovery can lead to success and inspire positive change in the world

Forum Series

The Rockford University Forum Series presents speakers in a variety of disciplines who have achieved success both nationally and locally, and performers of stature in the arts. The Forum Series’ central programming focus is geared toward students, while also seeking to connect the campus to the local community. Lectures and performances are concerned with intellectual, social, and cultural matters of general interest to deepen and broaden students’ education at Rockford University and enhance the rich culture of Rockford.

Forum Series presenters and events cover a broad spectrum of scope and genre. Events have included the Tibetan lamas from Drepung Loseling Monastery and their creation of a mandala—a sacred sand painting; Holocaust survivor Zev Kedem, the compelling speaker who worked with Steven Spielberg on the movie Schindler’s List; Oscar Arias, former president of Costa Rica and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for his work on a Central American Peace Plan; quadriplegic Olympic bronze medal rugby player Mark Zupan; film documentarian Barbara Martinez Jitner, who produced “La Frontera;” Davar Ardalan, author of “My Name is Iran;” and traditional University events like the President’s Opening Convocation, Charter Day Convocation, and theater productions.

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Local media is invited to the Rockford University campus to cover this event. We ask the media to please email Sara Myers-Hogshead at SHogshead@rockford.edu to let us know that you are coming.

Please email us by Oct. 10 at 5 p.m. to let us know you are attending.

Contact:

Sara Myers-Hogshead

RU Marketing & Communications

shogshead@rockford.edu

815.394.5052

The Illinois and Wisconsin sections of American Association of Physics Teachers (ISAAPT and WAPT) will host a conference on “Contemporary Physics Instruction” at Rockford University on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 20 – 21, 2017. The plenary sessions and workshops focus on astronomy, science and media, instruction & pedagogy, laboratory practices, and the status of women and minorities in physics and astronomy.

The hosts have prepared a fantastic lineup of invited speakers and workshops relevant for physics instruction, both at the high-school and college level. Conference events will be held in Rockford University’s newly remodeled Starr Science Center, with the banquet in Forrest Cool Lounge in the Burpee Student Center.

More information is available at the website. Regular registration is $40 and includes lunch on Saturday, Oct. 21 and coffee/refreshments. The 10 first-time attendees from both Illinois and Wisconsin will have their registration fee waived. Undergraduate student registration is free.

Invited Speakers

• Las Campanas Remote Observatory: Remote Challenges and Solutions; Real Science Within Reach, Friday, Oct. 20, 4:30 p.m.; Howard Hedlund, Astro-Physics Inc., Rockford, Ill.
• The State of ‘Beyond the First Year’ Physics Labs and the Resources to Support Them, Friday, Oct. 20, 5:15 p.m.; Lowell McCann, Ph. D., University of Wisconsin – River Falls
• Building Instruments of Discovery, Friday, Oct. 20, 7:45 p.m.; Sarah Tuttle, Ph. D., University of Washington, Seattle, Wash.
• Is the pipeline leaking? White women and other minoritized scientists in Astronomy, Saturday, Oct. 21, 8:15 a.m.; Sarah Tuttle, Ph. D., University of Washington, Seattle, Wash.
• Science and Social Media: One Physicist’s Experience, Saturday, Oct. 21, 1:15 p.m.; Robert McNees, Ph. D., Loyola University, Chicago

Free Workshops

• W1. Friday, Oct, 20, 3 – 4:30 p.m. – Exploration of Integrating Computation into the Curriculum; Todd Zimmermann, Ph. D., University of Wisconsin, Stout
• W2. Saturday, Oct. 21, 9 – 10:30 a.m. – Women and Minorities in the History of Physics, Role Models for Today; Gregory Good, Ph. D., Director, Center for the History of Physics 
• W3. Saturday, Oct. 21, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – More Modern Modern Physics for the High School Classroom; James Madsen, Ph. D., University of Wisconsin, River Falls
• W4. Saturday, Oct. 21, 2 – 3:30 p.m. – IOLab – a multi-sensor device; Morten Lundsgaard, Physics Department, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign