GMAG invites proposals directed towards educating non-scientists and the general
public about the role of magnetism. Funds up to $5000 per project (larger proposals may be considered) are available to cover supplies and expenses. These grants should foster new activities and are not meant to support ongoing programs. Examples of outreach activities include (but are not limited to) the development of magnetism kits that may be used at elementary schools and/or at museums and other public places, the development of high school labs on magnetism, and the production of videos on magnetism that would appeal to the general public. Preference will be given to innovative activities, that are properly documented, so that they can be reproduced elsewhere. GMAG will disseminate the outcome of the activities to the GMAG membership through the GMAG Newsletter and to the broader magnetism community through the GMAG website. For these purposes, proposers will be required to provide GMAG with appropriate material when requested. Proposers are also encouraged to consider alternate avenues for dissemination; this could include presentation of the results at an APS meeting. The GMAG Executive Committee will review proposals on an ongoing basis, strong consideration will be given to proposals received by December 31, 2023. Although partnership with a GMAG member is encouraged, all applications for projects related to outreach in magnetism will be considered. The GMAG Executive Committee can assist in identifying potential partners for outreach proposals submitted by non-members.
Application Process
To apply for these funds, please submit the following information as one PDF file to the GMAG Chair Clarina R. Dela Cruz (delacruzcr@ornl.gov):
- Cover sheet clearly stating the name, address, phone number, and email of the main contact person for your application. Include the name of your program, and, if affiliated with an institution, the department and institution you represent.
- One-page CV for main contact person.
- Narrative description (no more than two pages) of your program. Include a description of the proposed activity or activities, the anticipated impact and the process of documentation to enable reproduction of the activity, details of other financial support (if any), and description of personnel working on the program (instructional lab technicians, students, professors, etc.).
- Rough budget detailing your plans for utilizing the funds.
- Letter of support from your department chair or similar administrative official (this can be sent separately, as long as it clearly identifies the main contact person and institution).
Important Information
If selected, you will be required to complete a tax form and banking information as part of the APS Financial Disbursement procedures. These funds cannot be used for salaries, stipends, etc., of the main participants, but can be used to hire a student, an intern, or professional services if essential for the project. An APS statement on indirect costs is available on the Physics Outreach website.
Recently funded proposals include:
- Careers in Magnetism: Exploring Opportunities in the Wizarding World, Prof. Radhika Barua, Virginia Commonwealth: An innovative "Harry Potter" inspired STEM outreach program is designed to stimulate the interest of underrepresented high-school and college students in research innovation related to nanomagnetism and quantum spintronics. The outreach initiative will feature a virtual Summer Seminar Series in the Summer of 2022, followed by a directed science challenge and a one-day symposium.
- Demonstration of Magnetic Frustration in a Macroscopic Spin-Ice Network, Prof. Benjamin Jungfleisch, University of Delaware: A macroscopic model based on permanent magnets is being developed to introduce magnetic interactions and phenomena to a broad audience. This demo will be made available as a module in the UD K12 Lending Library, for public outreach to educate middle and high school students and visualize “atomic” magnetism.
- Materials Science & Engineering and Magnetism Summer Camp, Prof. Roopali Kukreja, University of California, Davis A week-long STEM summer camp for 25-30 underrepresented minority and first-generation High School and Community College students, was organized in collaboration with AvenueE and UC Davis Mathematics, Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) Center in the Summer of 2021.
- Physics Youth Scholastic and Instructing Camp for Orlando Scientists,
Dr. Enrique Del Barco, Department of Physics, University of Central Florida.
A week-long camp was offered to high school students in the Summer of 2017.