The Society of Physics Students chapter at UC Irvine has received a Marsh W. White Award from the American Institute of Physics, funding the group’s plan to expand hands-on physics outreach across Southern California. The award, which provides up to $600 for projects that promote interest in physics among students and the public, was founded in 1975 to honor Dr. Marsh W. White for his years of leadership within Sigma Pi Sigma, the physics and astronomy honor society. The award will support the chapter’s plans to visit high schools in Orange County and Los Angeles during the 2025-26 school year. Members will use Tesla coils, Snap Circuits and mechanical wave drivers to illustrate key concepts that will engage students in physics. The chapter aims to reach as many as 14 schools and as many as 1,000 students.
“Winning the Marsh W. White Award is a vital milestone for our chapter because it validates our mission to increase visibility for minority students in physics,” said Sophia Garcia, president of the UC Irvine Society of Physics Students. “This funding ensures our outreach team can continue to provide STEM exposure to Black and Hispanic communities that have historically lacked access to these resources.”
The UC Irvine Society of Physics Students is recognized as a 2024-25 Outstanding Chapter by the SPS National Office for their participation in SPS programs, outreach efforts to the grades K-12 and contributions to student recruitment and retention.