1. Posters in the Study Design
The specifications for posters in the current study design is different the previous design.  This was adhered to by the entries to the Experimental Investigation Poster Competition.  All the entries had a similar structure to the example on the right and also here.
 
The competition entries illustrate the challenges that the study design specifications put in the way of creating an effective poster. The large middle space is mostly empty and the surrounding text becomes rather cramped. 

The question is what advice can teachers give their students that results in a design that communicates well, that the students can take some pride in, and yet can be considered within the rules.

The study design says 'The centre of the poster will occupy between 20 to 25 per cent of the poster space and will be a one-sentence summary of the major finding of the investigation that answers the investigation question.' 

Some possible strategies are:

1. Include an image related to the investigation such as the equipment set up, perhaps a graph can be considered as an image. The text can still be included in the panel, but at an appropriate font size.
2. Extend the meaning of a 'one-sentence summary' to include a commentary separated by commas on all or some of the following: i) an evaluation of the method with suggestions on improving measurement techniques and using alternative apparatus, ii) comments on the data range of the independent variable, both extending it and filling in gaps, iii) opportunities for further analysis, and iv) the degree to which the aim was met, keeping in mind the uncertainties in the data and the analysis.

We welcome ideas on this matter.

2. Combining Physics Classes in 2024
Some teachers are being asked to combine their Year 11 and Year 12 physics students into one class.  This raises a number of planning issues.  We organised an after school Zoom meeting at the beginning of this year for those in this predicament in 2023. We plan to hold one for those who expect to be in this position next year.
If such a Zoom meeting is of interest to you, please email us by this Wednesday with suitable dates within the next three weeks, and we will arrange a meeting.
The Zoom meeting can address matters such as: i) Scheduling topics, ii) Teaching styles, iii) Practical Activities, iv) Assessment tasks and v) meeting VCAA guidelines on 'at least 50 hours scheduled classroom instruction per unit'. 4. Extremely high-energy cosmic ray particle detected and it appears to be coming from empty space
 The most powerful cosmic ray for more than three decades has been detected. It has an energy of 240 exa-electron-volts, which is 240 x 10^18 eV.  Because of its speed it is not easily deflected, and it seems to be coming for a region of space where there are few galaxies.  It has been named 'Amaterasu'.
This is not the most energetic cosmic ray detected.  One was detected in 1991 at 320 exa electrons volts.  That one is called the Oh-My-God particle and has its own wikipedia page.  Some amazing statements from that page are:

• Assuming the particle is a proton, its speed is 0.9999999999999999999999951 times the speed of light,
• The Lorentz factor was 3.2×10¹¹ 
• At this speed, if a photon were traveling alongside the particle, it would take over 215,000 years for the photon to gain a 1 cm lead, as seen from the Earth's reference frame.
• Due to special relativity, the relativistic time dilation experienced by a proton traveling at this speed would be extreme. If the proton originated from a distance of 1.5 billion light years, it would take approximately 1.71 days from the reference frame of the proton to travel that distance.

Articles about the particle are in The Guardian, and in Nature .

5. Events for Students

a) Physics Days at Luna Park in 2024
The dates for 2024 are Monday 4th March to Friday 8th March.
Luna Park bookings will not open until December, but schools can now seek approval from their school administrations.  The student fee will be $31.50 and a deposit of 30% is required to confirm the booking.
Aerobatic displays have been requested, but confirmation is not received until February.
The worksheets have not been updated since they were first written in 2004.  The terminology for forces has changed and there have been some content changes, so the worksheets will be updated in Term 4.

b) STEM Schools Roadshow, 27th Nov - 8th Dec
University presenters will travel to low SES and regional schools, delivering activities to inspire high school students to study science.
Science Delivery aims to encourage students from a diverse range of backgrounds to study science and go to University, and ensure any barriers they are facing do not stop them from achieving their career goals. The program is presented by Bachelor of Science students from the University of Melbourne, who have all overcome challenges to achieve success in their studies. 
The program is aimed at students in Year 7 – Year 10
Dates: 27th Nov - 1st Dec (Melbourne), 4th - 8th Dec (Warrnambool region)
Cost: Free
Duration: 1 - 1.5 hours for 1 to 2 classes
Style: Students will firstly gather together to watch the science demonstrations, and then break off into small groups to work through science activities. They will then gather together again to hear more from the presenters and to wrap up the session.
For more details, click here. 6. Events for Teachers 

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9.   Physics News from the Web
Items selected from the bulletin of the Institute of Physics (UK).
Each item below includes the introductory paragraphs and a web link to the rest of the article.
a) New superconducting nanowire single-photon detector has 400,000 pixels
The highest resolution to date in a superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SNSPD) camera has been claimed by researchers in the US. Designed by a team at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the camera offers a pixel count some 400 times higher than other state-of-the-art designs, without sacrificing any of their advantages.
b) Single molecule makes a sensitive pressure and force sensor Australian research
Researchers in Australia have detected and controlled changes to the shape of a single molecule in response to an applied mechanical force. The feat could enable the development of miniaturized implantable pressure sensors and accelerometers for the electronics industry.
c) The laws of division: physicists probe into the polarisation of political opinions
Across the world, varying factions of society seem to be angrier and more divided than ever. But physicists are doing their best to shed light on what has gone wrong.

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