(Version F2017)

The Physics Project Award Call for Proposals

The Physics Department Project Award is open to any physics major or minor enrolled during the semester the project is being done. The award, for up to $500, is meant to encourage students to participate in physics. Projects proposing specific outreach activities are also encouraged.

Students who have not done any research or outreach are particularly encouraged to apply. Agood first step is to talk to faculty in the department about the research and outreach they do.

Additional information to consider:

  • The feasibility of the idea: can it be carried out in a semester?
  • The merit of the idea: is the project something the awardee will learn from? Note that the idea does not need to be new research or push the boundaries of physics in any way. It should push your boundaries, though!
  • If you have previously received a project award, you will be awarded another only if you made satisfactory progress on the project for which you won the award and summarize your progress in the space provided.

Application: Your application should fill in the answers to the following questions.
Your Name: [Replace this text with your name]

Title: [Replace this text with a title for your project]

Total Funds Requested: [$?]

  1. Short but specific description of your research or outreach project or idea (one paragraph).

[Replace this text with your answer] Your description should describe the project you want to do next academic year. It should describe what your project is and how long it will take you to complete. The project needs to be something you could feasibility carry out at MSUM in one or two semesters working a reasonable amount of time per week on the project. The expectation is that people will put in an amount of time equivalent to signing up for two credits of research.

  1. Who will the faculty adviser be for this project? You MUST speak with this professor before writing in their name.
    [Replace this text with your answer] You may work on an independent project or on a project with a faculty member who is not in physics. However, you must list the name of a MSUM Physics and Astronomy faculty member familiar enough with your project to address any questions about it that come up during the evaluation of the applications. If you plan to work with a specific faculty member, you must speak with that person before submitting your application.
  2. Please list any materials and equipment required for your project and the cost of those materials and equipment.
    [Write your answer here.]Note that the award cannot cover salary, but can cover equipment and transportation costs.
  3. What will the outcome of your project be? Example outcomes would be presentation at a department seminar or the Student Academic Conference, construction of a demonstration apparatus for department use or anything else appropriate for your project.
    [Write your answer here.]