The Rhodes College chapter of the Society of Physics Students (SPS) has been recognized by the National Office of SPS as a recipient of the Future Faces of Physics Award. This award is granted to five chapters nationally based on a written project proposal and is specifically intended to fund activities for groups traditionally underrepresented in physics.
Rhodes SPS will use this year’s award to host an egg drop competition for Memphis girls ages 8 to 13. Participants will design and construct a protective container for their eggs from limited supplies. These containers will then be dropped from the sixth floor of Rhodes Tower; only the strongest will be able to withstand the impact and protect the egg inside! Scores will be based on the size and weight of a design (with bonus points for special creativity), as well as its effectiveness in protecting the egg. Through this project, SPS hopes to encourage the next generation of female scientists and emphasize the power of innovation.
Rhodes also received the Future Faces of Physics Award in 2016, which led to the development of a speed of sound lab experiment made available to Memphis high school science programs.