Australian Institute of Physics

Tasmanian Branch

(ABN: 81 004 566 509)

AIP Tasmanian Branch Annual Report 2006

Although not as frenetic a year as last year, the majority of which was taken up with the Einstein International Year of Physics activities, this year has nonetheless been a solid year of lectures and events. Since the last AGM the branch hosted the “Quantum Field Theory and Its Ramifications” international conference in honour of Bob Delbourgo’s scientific contribution on the occasion of his 65^th birthday. The conference was held from 30^th Nov to 2^nd December at the University of Tasmania. A few days later the very successful teachers two day professional development workshop was held in Launceston. At the teachers workshop a session on the Essential Learning program for high school teachers was held with representatives from the State Education Department. The two way interchange was highly valuable and, with the change of Minister, may have contributed to the moves to a new curriculum structure. As President I wrote to the new Minister following his announced changes to curriculum development and the Minister has invited the Branch to play an active role in the new curriculum development. This is a very positive outcome for the Institute that the incoming committee will be able to take full advantage of.

The AIP nationally has established two substantial honours scholarships funded by DSTO and each branch nominates the best state nominee. Tasmania was not successful for this year’s award but we are hopeful that our candidate for 2007 may be luckier. The competition in the first year was of exceedingly high quality.

During 2006 we have had three speakers delivering public lectures in Hobart. In addition the Women in Physics lecturer also presented three talks to high schools across the state and Prof Larkins presented one to Hobart school students. No Annual Year 11/12 Physics Quiz was held this year due to declining numbers and the Committee is actively planning for a revamped competition to resume next year.

Public Lectures for 2006

• Prof Frank Larkins: 31/05/06 (Hobart), “The Australian Synchrotron Project and Implications for Australian Physics” (McAulay Winter Lecture Series)
• Dr Barry Green: 07/08/06 (Hobart), “Fusion Energy and ITER – An Opportunity for Australia” (McAulay Winter Lecture Series)
• Prof Deb Kane: 27/09/06 (Hobart), “Light, Particles, Action” (AIP Women in Physics Lecturer)

School talks for 2006

· Prof Frank Larkins: 01/06/06 (Hobart)

· Prof Deb Kane: 26/09/06 (Burnie/Devonport), 27/09/06 (Launceston), 28/09/06 (Hobart)

· Dr Stuart Morgan: Friends and Hutchins schools (Hobart)

The Branch activities have continued to be reported the Australian Physics journal and all errors therein are due solely to your Chair who is also the Associate Editor. Drs Ian Newman and John Humble have maintained our Tasmanian Branch web page and made sure that the notices are up-to-date so we owe them our gratitude for doing that.

Prizes and Sponsorship

Every year we offer the branch AIP prize to the best third year Physics student and supplement other University physics prizes. We also continue to support the Tasmanian Science Talent Search.

Other Matters

Branch members actively participated in promoting Physics during National Science Week and on University Open Days.

Prof Bob Delbourgo has agreed to take over from John Humble as the Branch nominee on the AIP accreditation panel. This panel assesses undergraduate degree courses across Australia and internationally and accredits the courses against expected standards. Marc Duldig has also represented the Branch on this panel in the past.

Although our lecture calendar was a little light this year it was largely a result of an unknown funding situation until well into the year. The Committee could not commit to expenses until it knew what resources it had available. The situation has resolved itself somewhat and we already have three lecturers committed for the first half of 2007.

Our branch membership has not increased from last year which is disappointing. I again ask all members to actively encourage their colleagues who are not members to join.

Acknowledgements

As Secretary, Dr Elizabeth Chelkowska has worked tirelessly in keeping our meetings and activities organized and the Branch and committee owe her a debt of gratitude. I wish to thank Andrew Klekociuk, our Treasurer, for looking after our accounts and dealing with the AIP National Treasurer though some difficult financial times. Thanks are also due to Stuart Morgan for his willingness to present a younger physics image to the high school students in Hobart and to Claire Hotan for her insightful comments on teaching and her representation of younger generational views at Committee meetings. John Dickey, Melanie Johnston-Hollitt, Ian Newman and Steve Newbery have all been supportive and active Committee members and I thank them for their continued input. Finally I would also like to thank John Humble, our Vice-Chair, who has stood in for Elizabeth at meetings on short notice when she was unavoidably absent and who has assisted me with support and advice throughout the two years of my Chairmanship. He is an excellent right hand man and will fulfil the role of Chair admirably from next year.

Marc Duldig, November 2006