Jay Gogue, Interim President of the NMSU System | Official Website
Jay Gogue, Interim President of the NMSU System | Official Website
New Mexico State University (NMSU) is hosting its annual "Physics Summer Camp" through the Department of Physics, aimed at introducing high school students to various physics disciplines and related sciences. The camp, held in Gardiner Hall, features lectures, lab tours, and hands-on activities led by NMSU physics students.
The event covers multiple areas such as mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, nuclear physics, chemistry, astronomy, and geology. Organized by the Society of Physics Students (SPS), the camp is free and open to all regional high school students.
“We're trying to make it a much more immersive experience,” said Z Burns, a junior in physics and SPS member. “The main idea behind the summer camp is to showcase what studying physics at NMSU looks like.”
Nora Nava, an SPS member graduating this summer with a bachelor’s degree in physics and a minor in astronomy, emphasized the importance of fostering community among future NMSU students. “I think it's important that high schoolers know that this is happening here,” Nava said.
Francisco Carreto-Parra, a physics lab instructor and laboratory manager at NMSU, noted that many past participants return as university students. “Seeing them again as NMSU students active in our department means we are meeting our objective here completely,” he said.
Throughout the academic year, SPS collaborates with other student organizations for outreach and recruitment activities such as “Physics Fun Day” for local children and families. These efforts are supported by grants from the American Physical Society to encourage community participation.
“Everybody is welcome here,” Carreto-Parra added. “We want to provide our knowledge and tools to as many people as we can.”
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CUTLINE: New Mexico State University’s Department of Physics is hosting a “Physics Summer Camp” for local high school students. Led by undergraduate and graduate physics students, the camp introduces high schoolers to the world of physics and its disciplines through lab tours and hands-on activities. (NMSU photo by Chloe Dunlap)
CUTLINE 2: New Mexico State University Society of Physics Students member Nora Nava preparing a demonstration following a presentation on electric currents and superconductors. Nava graduates this summer with a bachelor's degree in physics. (NMSU photo by Chloe Dunlap)