Philip Walker “Bo” Hammer to Serve as AAPT Associate Executive Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

College Park, MD, April 27, 2009

The American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) announced today that Philip Walker “Bo” Hammer, Ph.D., has joined the National Office as Associate Executive Officer. In this role, Dr. Hammer will work closely with Warren Hein, Executive Officer, to support AAPT’s educational programs.

“Bo Hammer brings a unique skill set and knowledge about physics education to AAPT. He is familiar with our programs and the AAPT community and will be a significant addition to AAPT’s National Office. I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with such a gifted physics educator,” said Dr. Warren Hein, AAPT’s Executive Officer.

Dr. Hammer comes to AAPT from his position as Vice President of the Franklin Institute Science Museum’s Benjamin Franklin Center, where he was responsible for the international Benjamin Franklin Medals and Bower Awards Programs, the Journal of the Franklin Institute, the Institute’s Collections and Library, and its public astronomy programs.

Hammer received his BS in Physics in 1987 from Humboldt State University in Arcata, California, and his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Oregon in 1991. After being a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Hammer spent the ’93-'94 academic year as an American Physical Society (APS) Congressional Science Fellow working on the staff of the Subcommittee on Science in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Excellence in science education is key to our nation’s competitive and intellectual future,” said Hammer, “and I am excited to join AAPT as it leads the science community’s efforts to improve physics teaching and advance the understanding of physics.”

Formerly Director of the Society of Physics Students and Sigma Pi Sigma--The Physics Honor Society, and Assistant Manager of the Education Division of the American Institute of Physics (AIP), Hammer participated in President Clinton’s Forum on Science in the Public Interest, served on the American Physical Society (APS) Panel on Public Affairs, and on the U.S. House of Representatives 1997 roundtable on Early Career Scientists. Hammer is past chair of the APS Forum on Physics and Society, currently serves on the APS Council, and is president of the Haddon Heights, NJ, Board of Education. Hammer is well-known in the physics education community for his significant contributions and relationships across the spectrum of science education and science policy.

“We are delighted that Dr. Hammer has agreed to come to AAPT. His efforts will allow us to better serve our members and help us reach our goal of becoming a stronger voice for physics education,” said Alex Dickison, AAPT President.

About AAPT: AAPT (www.aapt.org) is the leading organization for physics educators--with more than 10,000 members worldwide. Our mission is to advance the greater good through physics teaching. We provide our members with many opportunities for professional development, communication, and student enrichment. We serve the larger community through a variety of programs and publications. AAPT was founded in 1930 and is headquartered in the American Center for Physics in College Park, Maryland.

For more information: Contact Marilyn Gardner, Director of Communications

The American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) announced today that Philip Walker “Bo” Hammer, Ph.D., has joined the National Office as Associate Executive Officer. In this role, Dr. Hammer will work closely with Warren Hein, Executive Officer, to support AAPT’s educational programs.