Florida Polytechnic University members of Sigma Pi Sigma and the Society of Physics Students are taking advantage of opportunities that expose them to internationally recognized scholars, new research, and specialized educational events.
The University chapter of the national honor society recently attended the 2022 Physics Congress in Washington, D.C. Ten engineering physics students attended conference events and discussions, and also presented their original research.
“We had access to people who have earned Nobel Prizes and learned from scientists doing great work,” junior Tyler Matos said. “This definitely gave me more information about possibilities that I didn’t know before.”
The students also had dinner with scientists working in the field and networked with peers and professionals from all over the nation.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity and I’m glad we were able to do it,” said junior Sebastian Sage, the society’s treasurer. “There were a bunch of speakers, and I learned a lot and got to meet a bunch of physics students from across the country.”
The student society is poised for long-term success, said Dr. Sesha Srinivasan, assistant professor of engineering physics at Florida Poly.
“These students are very motivated, and I am here to support them,” he said.
Srinivasan and the Florida Poly Society of Physics Students said they are planning to host the Zone 6 regional meeting of the society during spring break, which will include attendees from 64 chapters in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Puerto Rico.
“I’m excited to be part of that,” said Louis Ferreira, a junior at Florida Poly. “We’ll get to play an active part, and it’s fun meeting people that share the same educational interest.”
Ferreira said he joined the society, which is a part of the American Institute of Physics, to better prepare himself for his professional future.
Brennan Halsey, the society’s historian, said its inaugural members are excited to grow the organization and welcome new members.
“This will allow us to give support to students who come after us,” he said. “It will be nice to have infrastructure in place to be their mentors.”
New students will be inducted to the Sigma Pi Sigma Florida Poly chapter in spring 2023. For more information, contact Dr. Srinivasan.
Contact:
Lydia Guzmán
Director of Communications
863-874-8557
