2026 Fall Mtg of Appalachian AAPT – Ohio University

Second Announcement

AAPT-Appalachian Fall 2026 Meeting

Ohio University

  • AAPT Appalachian Section Regional Meeting 2026
  • Meeting Theme :  New Student Experiences, AI, and Accessibility
  • October 17, 2026 (Welcome Dinner Friday Evening, October 16)
  • Ohio University 
  • Walter Hall 
  • Athens OH, 45701

We are very happy to host the Fall 2026 Section meeting of the American Association of Physics Teachers Appalachian Region on Saturday, October 17h, 2026 in Walter Hall Ohio University. 

Session(s) on AI and Accessibility: The meeting will feature discussion(s), including an invited panel/panel discussion, on the many considerations surrounding the increasing prominence of AI in the student experience, as well as recent efforts to comply with new federal accessibility requirements in education

A Keynote Talk by Professor Andrea Richard :will also be featured, concerning work by Prof. Richard’s group, which has a large involvement of undergraduates,  regarding a recent high profile illumination of a long-standing mystery in nuclear physics involving gamma-ray enhancement in the Zn70 system.

On-site Travel Reimbursement:  Given recently increased travel costs we will be featuring on-site travel reimbursement for those coming to Athens from more than 40 miles away, of $2 per every 15 miles traveled.  More details can be found below in the meeting fee/costs information.  

The schedule of the meeting is still evolving as we receive more abstracts/contributions from attendees.  IF YOU INTEND TO GIVE A TALK, please fill our pre-registration form below, preferably by Friday October 2nd, but no later than October 9th 2026.  Please also fill it in any case as soon as possible even if you don’t’ intend to give a talk to allow us to properly plan coffee breaks and lunch.      

  • Pre-Registration & Contribution/Title/Abstract Submission: Please pre-register to confirm your intention to attend to help us plan, and also submit talk contributions at this link:    Pre-registration and Contribution/Abstract Submission:  https://forms.gle/72iBr2eU5kQSk11w6.   Full abstracts nor even titles are not needed at submission time.  Email frantz@ohio.edu  with any updates.
  • Time and Location: The main program of the meeting will be from approximately 9am to 5pm Saturday October 17th. The meeting will be held in Walter Hall, primarily Rm 145 on the campus of Ohio University. The schedule as it evolves will be posted on the Meeting website linked above.
  • Friday Evening October 16:  We are also planning a dinner and possibly other welcome events for those arriving Friday evening. Please indicate whether you may be arriving Friday and interested in participating on the pre-registration link.  Hotel suggestions will be given on the meeting website (link above). 
  • Lunch: Lunch on Saturday October 17 will be provided for all participants at no additional cost.   A business meeting of the section will be held during the lunch break.  Please indicate dietary restrictions on the pre-registration form, or email frantz@ohio.edu
  • Cost: Registration will be onsite before the official meeting start time Saturday morning and ad-hoc at other times on Saturday as needed.  It is expected that meeting costs will be about $15-20 per faculty/staff in addition to yearly dues.  Yearly dues for the AAPT Section are $10 and are also collected during registration.  The meeting is completely free for undergraduate students and high school teachers (no charge for the meeting fee nor for yearly dues).  For graduate students, the meeting fee will be discounted and yearly dues are free.  The on-site travel reimbursement for those traveling more than 40 miles to Athens of $2 per every 15 miles traveled will first be subtracted from any meeting fees and dues owed.  The total reimbursements issued will be limited and priority will be given to those who pre-register via the link above.  Mileage will be rounded downward to the nearest 15-mile unit. 
  • Additional Information/Organizing Committee: Please email Justin Frantz (frantz@ohio.edu),  organizer and chair of the local organizing committee.
  • Local organizing committee members:  Justin Frantz, Mark Lucas, Wayne Oswald, Andrea Richard, Andrius Burnelis (graduate student), Noah Smith (graduate student).