Unveiling the Benefits of the Society of Physics Students

The Society of Physics Students (SPS) stands as a pivotal organization for undergraduate students passionate about physics and astronomy. This article explores the multifaceted advantages of joining SPS, highlighting its role in fostering community, developing essential skills, and providing access to invaluable resources. The discussion revolves around the value of joining the Society of Physics Students (SPS) and other physics societies. Participants generally agree that the value of joining a physics society is contingent on individual engagement and the specific offerings of local chapters. Limitations include the variability of local chapters and the subjective nature of the benefits derived from membership.

What is the Society of Physics Students?

SPS is a professional association for all undergraduate students interested in physics or astronomy. It’s a chapter-based society that works at the campus, regional, national, and sometimes international level to help students build community and essential skills such as research, networking, and presenting. SPS also helps connect undergraduates with advisors, fellow physics and astronomy students around the world, and their local community. SPS is focused on enhancing the undergraduate experience while preparing them to become contributing members of the professional community. SPS compliments science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) coursework by aiding members in developing important skills that include communication, teamwork, leadership, and networking. Additionally, members will learn how to present scholarly work at professional meetings and in peer-reviewed journals.

Building a Supportive and Diverse Community

The main goal of SPS is to support physics and astronomy students. Chapters receive a wide array of resources, from help building inclusive chapters to science outreach kits and ideas for fun and educational community-building events. Both your chapter and the SPS office will be there to help you in your journey through this incredibly difficult major. SPS aims to provide a supportive space for students interested in physics and astronomy to explore their thirst for knowledge. SPS advisors are at the forefront of that journey, mentoring students through outreach events, research projects, and conference attendance, and otherwise helping them grow into professionals. Chapter meetings, zone meetings, and the SPS-led Physics and Astronomy Congress (which takes place once every three years) are great places to meet fellow students and share experiences.

My experience in SPS has been amazing. We traveled together to Washington, D.C. in October 2022 for the SPS national conference. We bonded as a group, learned what’s happening in the world of physics today, networked, and connected with students from SPS Chapters all over the country. We all came back with a refreshed love of the subject. Physics is a tough field. It helps immensely to have a community that understands the struggles that can come with majoring in STEM. We are a very diverse group of students in terms of majors, backgrounds, ethnicities, genders, and interests. I am so proud of how accepting and supportive our chapter is. I encourage any STEM majors to join our community. We have study halls (with pizza), fun outreach events, research seminars, and graduate student panels. By helping form communities within your department and chapter, and creating connections beyond them, SPS helps you build a support system that can last a lifetime.

Professional Development Opportunities

Joining SPS makes you eligible for a wide variety of professional opportunities. SPS regularly publishes student-written articles about undergraduate experiences, special events, and research. This is a fantastic way to share your work, practice science communication, improve your writing skills, and get published. Students who publish a research paper in SPS’s Journal of Undergraduate Research in Physics and Astronomy (JURPA) are introduced to the scientific publishing process and have a paper with a DOI to their name. Additionally, membership enables you to attend regional meetings of SPS chapters (zone meetings) and receive travel support to attend national or international professional science conferences, such as meetings of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) and American Physical Society (APS). Such meetings can expand your professional network, help you connect with potential graduate schools and employers, and reveal career paths you might take. You can also present your research in poster sessions or by giving a talk-and even win awards. These are just a few of the professional development opportunities SPS offers. You can also take on leadership roles, learn the grant-writing process through award applications, and more. Whether you want to go into academia or industry or pursue another path, professional skills like presenting, leading, and writing are extremely valuable. SPS provides resources and a safe space to practice these essential skills!

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Access to Scholarships, Awards, and Resources

Whether you want to conduct research as a chapter, host outreach events, participate in scientific meetings, or build community, or if you’re in financial need, SPS offers support at the chapter and member levels.

SPS membership includes:

Subscription to Physics Today, the most influential and closely followed physics magazine in the world
Subscription to the SPS Observer
Print copy of the annual Journal of Undergraduate Research in Physics and Astronomy (JURPA)
Eligibility for scholarships, internships, research awards, and outreach awards
Membership in two American Institute of Physics Member Societies
Membership in the National Society of Black Physicists or the National Society of Hispanic Physicists

The Value of an Active SPS Chapter

For SPS, it depends on how active your local chapter is. And you don't actually have to pay to be member, just show up at the meetings (you can pay if you want to be part of the national organization, which is a good deal because of the amenities). So there is really nothing to lose. Choppy lists lots of examples a good SPS chapter will have. In addition, the chapter at my school tries to go on field trips when possible. We also get a special private meeting with any colloquium speakers to ask them whatever questions we want. We also do fun things together whether they are related to physics or not. There are also SPS conferences where you can present research and do lots of networking. There is no other organization like SPS that I am aware of.

Joining that would elevate your graduate application a little bit, because you have to be elected by the faculty at your school to join. So usually that means you've had some good achievements in your department (could be grades, outreach, etc). Anyway, from what you explained about SPS, it is right up my alley.

Funding Opportunities for Chapters

SPS chapters have various pathways to funding student and departmental activities. The SPS Chapter Research Award, for instance, grants chapters up to $2,000 for a group research project. Are you the catalyst for your department’s physics and astronomy outreach events to local communities? SPS chapters can receive up to $600 to host such events. These are just a few of the many opportunities!

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Recognition for Advisors

Being an SPS advisor offers faculty and staff a way to get recognition for the mentoring and activities they may already be doing in their department, including through the annual SPS Outstanding Chapter Award and Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award. Advisors receive regular correspondence from the SPS office with opportunities, posters, and flyers.

Membership Options and Discounts

Group Memberships - Save Up To 25% by Joining with Friends. The more people you get to join SPS, the larger the discount off your annual membership dues.

5-9 members: save 5%
10-24 members: save 15%
25-39 members: save 20%
40+ members: save 25%

Members in this program receive all benefits of the individual membership, including a print copy of The SPS Observer. Advisors will also receive a special SPS Care Package once payment has been received. This discount is open to undergrads, grad students, faculty and staff.

Chapter Memberships - Pay Once, Welcome Everyone. Rates vary by institution type and location:

4-year Colleges and Universities**: $350 per year
2-year Colleges: $200 per year
Non-US/Canada/Mexico International Chapters**: $200 per year

Members receive the same benefits as individual membership (including Physics Today and membership in two AIP Member Societies) with the exception of an electronic subscription to The SPS Observer rather than print.

The Role of Sigma Pi Sigma

Also, the Society of Physics Students has an affiliated honor society, Sigma Pi Sigma. Sigma Pi Sigma, the national physics honor society, has been part of SPS since 1968, and elects members on the basis of outstanding academic achievement. Joining that would elevate your graduate application a little bit, because you have to be elected by the faculty at your school to join. So usually that means you've had some good achievements in your department (could be grades, outreach, etc).

Starting or Reactivating a Chapter

Does your school already have an SPS chapter? If so, consider lending it your support and encouraging your students to join! If not, consider starting or reactivating a chapter.

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