Sarah Formica, Ph.D.,
Professor, Physics
Fuller E. Callaway Professorial Chair
Office locationRogers Hall, 116A,
Courses Taught
- PHYS 1111: Introductory Physics I
- PHYS 1111L: Introductory Physics I Lab
- PHYS 1112: Introductory Physics II
- PHYS 1112L: Introductory Physics II Lab
- PHYS 2211: Principles of Physics I
- PHYS 2211L: Principles of Physics I Lab
- PHYS 2212: Principles of Physics II
- PHYS 2212L: Principles of Physics II Lab
- PHYS 3310: Modern Physics
- PHYS 3310H: Modern Physics, Honors
- PHYS 3310L: Modern Physics Lab
- PHYS 3411: Electricity & Magnetism
- PHYS 3990: Junior Seminar
- PHYS 4990: Senior Seminar
- ENGR 2001: Statics
- ENGR 3200: Dynamics
Education
- Ph.D., Physics, University at Albany, Albany, NY Title: Development of x-ray instrumentation for characterizing metastable thin film semiconductors Advisor: Dr. Susanne M. Lee, June 2006
- M.Sc. , Physics, University at Albany, Albany, NY, May 2001
- B.Sc. , Physics, University at Albany, Albany, NY, May 1999
Research/Special Interests
- X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy and other methods of materials analysis
- X-ray Optics
- Physics Education Research
Publications
S.P. Formica, J.L. Easley, M.C. Spraker, Transforming common-sense beliefs into Newtonian thinking through Just-in-Time Teaching, submitted to Physical Review Special Topics - Physics Education Research (May 2010).
G. Follo, S. Formica, Buffy, Willow and Xander mature from clueless adolescents to confident adults: Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a series about three kids growing up, in preparation, to be submitted to Journal of Popular Culture.
S.M. Lee and S.P. Formica, Comparing X-ray Optics: Performance Standards. J. X-ray Sci. Tech. 13, 37 – 47 (2005).
S.P. Formica and S.M. Lee, X-ray fluorescence system for thin film composition analysis during deposition. Thin Solid Films 491: 71 - 77 (2005).
S.P. Formica and S.M. Lee, An in situ XRF system for composition mapping of thin film IR sensors. Proc. SPIE (2005).
J. Schmidt, S.P. Formica and S.M. Lee, Polycapillary optic-enhanced x-ray diffraction and fluorescence for rapid materials analysis, Proc. SPIE Vol. 5918 (2005).
S.P. Formica and S.M. Lee. Physical Analysis of High Intensity Focusing X-ray Optics: Doubly Curved Crystals vs. Highly Focusing Polycapillaries. Proc. SPIE, Advances in Laboratory-Based X-ray Sources and Optics III. 4781:77-86 (2002).
Work Experience
ǧÃŬAV News Articles
Invited Talks
November 2010. Atlanta-PKAL Spring 2010 Meeting, Brenau University, Gainesville, GA – S.P. Formica; Pedagogy Initiates Research; Research Creates Partnerships.
November 2010. AAPT New Physics and Astronomy Faculty Reunion, College Park, MD – Invited Talk for Panel Discussion on Just-in-Time Teaching.
April 2010. Atlanta-PKAL Spring 2010 Meeting: Exploring Pathways from Classroom Pedagogy to Undergraduate Research, Lawrenceville, GA – S.P. Formica; Just-in-Time Teaching and Studio Physics pedagogies to guide motivated and fascinated undergraduates toward research.
October 2009. Gainesville State College Physics Club, Gainesville, GA – S.P. Formica; Tabletop X-ray Analysis Applications in Physics, Biology, Geology and Beyond.
September 2009. North Georgia College & State University Faculty Retreat, Dahlonega, GA – S.P. Formica; Just-in-Time Teaching (JiTT) Workshop.
March 2009. North Georgia College & State University CTLE, Dahlonega, GA – S.P. Formica; Just-in-Time Teaching (JiTT) Workshop.
January 2009. North Georgia College & State University Faculty Meeting, Dahlonega, GA – S.P. Formica (representing the General Education Committee); North Georgia Learning Outcomes.
March 2008. GC&SU Physics Club Seminar, Milledgeville, GA – S.P. Formica; Tabletop X-ray Analysis Applications in Physics, Biology, Geology and Beyond.
August 2007. NGCSU New Faculty Orientation, CTLE, Dahlonega, GA – S.P. Formica; Teaching Introductory Physics… Just in Time!
August 2007. NGCSU Faculty Convocation Poster Session, Dahlonega, GA - S.P. Formica; Significant Learning at North Georgia.
Student Presentations:
April 2014. North Georgia Annual Research Conference, Dahlonega, GA – James M. Herndon, John Dailey, Sarah P. Formica - Utilizing X-ray Fluorescence to Measure Increases in Iron Concentrations of Methamphetamine Doped Mice Spleens (Oral Presentation, 1st place winner of the Physics/Chemistry Panel).
April 2013. South Atlantic Coast Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers Spring Meeting, Gainesville, GA – Kerry McGill, Sarah Formica, Ryan Shanks, Steven Lloyd – Using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) equipment to measure the concentration of iron in the spleens of Methamphetamine (METH) treated mice C57BL6/J (Oral Presentation).
April 2013. South Atlantic Coast Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers Spring Meeting, Gainesville, GA – Thomas King, David Payette, Sarah P. Formica – X-Ray Fluorescence of Paintings (Oral Presentation).
April 2013. North Georgia Annual Research Conference, Dahlonega, GA – Kerry McGill, Sarah Formica, Ryan Shanks, Steven Lloyd – Using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) equipment to measure the concentration of iron in the spleens of Methamphetamine (METH) treated mice C57BL6/J (Oral Presentation, awarded 1st Place).
April 2013. North Georgia Annual Research Conference, Dahlonega, GA – Thomas King, David Payette, Sarah P. Formica – X-Ray Fluorescence of Paintings (Oral Presentation, awarded 2nd Place).
March 2012. North Georgia Annual Research Conference, Dahlonega, GA – Cassandra Major, Sarah P. Formica – Application of X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy in the Analysis of Oil Paint Pigments (Oral Presentation, awarded Honorable Mention).
October 2011. South Eastern Section of American Physical Society, SESAPS, Roanoke, VA - Cassandra Major, Sarah P. Formica – Application of X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy in the Analysis of Oil Paint Pigments (Oral Presentation).
April 2011. Atlanta-PKAL Regional Meeting, Dahlonega, GA – Toni Roth, Sarah P. Formica – The Use of X-ray Fluorescence to Determine Mercury Content in the Muscle Tissue of Fish Found Near Gold Mining Sites in Dahlonega, GA (Poster).
April 2011. Atlanta-PKAL Regional Meeting, Dahlonega, GA – Olivia Leeds, Sarah P. Formica – X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy Techniques to Detect Mercury in River Sediment Near Gold Mining Locations (Poster).
April 2011. Atlanta-PKAL Regional Meeting, Dahlonega, GA – Cassandra Major, Sarah P. Formica – Use of XRF for the Detection of Nanoparticles (Poster).
April 2011. Atlanta-PKAL Regional Meeting, Dahlonega, GA - Kerry McGill, Sarah P. Formica – Investigations of Gender-Biased Questions on the Force Concept Inventory (Poster).
March 2011. North Georgia Annual Research Conference, North Georgia College & State University, Dahlonega, GA - Toni Roth, Sarah P. Formica – The Use of X-ray Fluorescence to Determine Mercury Content in the Muscle Tissue of Fish Found Near Gold Mining Sites in Dahlonega, GA (Poster).
March 2011. North Georgia Annual Research Conference, North Georgia College & State University, Dahlonega, GA - Olivia Leeds, Sarah P. Formica – X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy Techniques to Detect Mercury in River Sediment Near Gold Mining Locations (Poster).
March 2011. North Georgia Annual Research Conference, North Georgia College & State University, Dahlonega, GA - James Mcmullan, Sarah P. Formica – Computer Automation with Applications for X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (Poster, Awarded 1st Place).
March 2011. North Georgia Annual Research Conference, North Georgia College & State University, Dahlonega, GA - Cassandra Major, Sarah P. Formica – Use of XRF for the Detection of Nanoparticles (Poster, Awarded Honorable Mention).
March 2011. North Georgia Annual Research Conference, North Georgia College & State University, Dahlonega, GA - Kerry McGill, Sarah P. Formica – Investigations of Gender-Biased Questions on the Force Concept Inventory (Poster).
November 2010. Atlanta Project Kaleidoscope (PKAL) Fall 2010 Region Meeting, Brenau University, Gainesville, GA – Kerry McGill, Sarah P. Formica, Mark C. Spraker - Investigation of Gender Biased Questions on the Force Concept Inventory (Poster).
November 2010. Atlanta Project Kaleidoscope (PKAL) Fall 2010 Region Meeting, Brenau University, Gainesville, GA – Timothy Collart, Sarah P. Formica, Mark C. Spraker – Adaptation of a Polycapillary Optic XRF System for XRD Analysis of Crystal Structures (Poster).
November 2010. Atlanta Project Kaleidoscope (PKAL) Fall 2010 Region Meeting, Brenau University, Gainesville, GA – Cassandra Major, Sarah P. Formica, Mark C. Spraker – Compilation of an XRF Elemental Calibration Database (Poster).
November 2010. Atlanta Project Kaleidoscope (PKAL) Fall 2010 Region Meeting, Brenau University, Gainesville, GA – Johanna Arnold, Sarah P. Formica, Mark C. Spraker – XRF Spectroscopy to Determine the Relative Concentrations of Iron in Blood Samples (Poster).
October 2010. South Atlantic Coastal Section of American Association of Physics Teachers (SACS-AAPT) Meeting, University of Charleston, Charleston, SC – Kerry McGill, Sarah P. Formica, Mark C. Spraker - Investigation of Gender Biased Questions on the Force Concept Inventory (Poster).
October 2010. South Atlantic Coastal Section of American Association of Physics Teachers (SACS-AAPT) Meeting, University of Charleston, Charleston, SC – Timothy Collart, Sarah P. Formica, Mark C. Spraker – Adaptation of a Polycapillary Optic XRF System for XRD Analysis of Crystal Structures (Poster).
October 2010. South Atlantic Coastal Section of American Association of Physics Teachers (SACS-AAPT) Meeting, University of Charleston, Charleston, SC – Cassandra Major, Sarah P. Formica, Mark C. Spraker – Compilation of an XRF Elemental Calibration Database (Poster).
October 2010. South Atlantic Coastal Section of American Association of Physics Teachers (SACS-AAPT) Meeting, University of Charleston, Charleston, SC – Johanna Arnold, Sarah P. Formica, Mark C. Spraker – XRF Spectroscopy to Determine the Relative Concentrations of Iron in Blood Samples (Poster).
April 2010. North Georgia College & State University Honors Conference, Dahlonega, GA – Johanna Arnold, Michael McManus, Timothy Collart, James McMullan, Sarah Formica, Mark Spraker – Research in X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy to Measure Relative Concentrations of Iron in Biological Samples (Oral Presentation).
April 2010. North Georgia College & State University Honors Conference, Dahlonega, GA – James McMullan, Sarah Formica, Mark Spraker – Research in Computer Automation with Applications in X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (Oral Presentation).
April 2010. North Georgia College & State University Honors Conference, Dahlonega, GA – Jessica Easley, Sarah Formica, Mark Spraker – A Refinement of the Force Concept Inventory Affects Physics Education Research at North Georgia (Oral Presentation).
February 2010. North Georgia College & State University Board of Trustees Poster Session, Dahlonega, GA – Johanna Arnold, Michael McManus, Sarah Formica, Mark Spraker – Research with X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (Poster).
February 2010. North Georgia College & State University Board of Trustees Poster Session, Dahlonega, GA – James McMullan, Sarah Formica, Mark Spraker – Computer Automation through LabView (Poster).
February 2010. North Georgia College & State University Board of Trustees Poster Session, Dahlonega, GA – Jessica Easley, Sarah Formica, Mark Spraker – Using Statistical Gain to Boost the Performance of Introductory Physics Students (Poster).
April 2009. North Georgia College & State University Honors Conference, Dahlonega, GA – D. Villalba, E. Pooser, S.P. Formica, M.C. Spraker – LabVIEW Integration (Oral Presentation).
April 2009. North Georgia College & State University Honors Conference, Dahlonega, GA – M. McManus, S.P. Formica, M.C. Spraker – Applications in X-ray Fluorescence (Poster).
April 2009. North Georgia College & State University Honors Conference, Dahlonega, GA – J. Easley, S.P. Formica, M.C. Spraker – Using Statistical “Gain” to Boost the Performance of Introductory Physics Students (Poster).
April 2009. North Georgia College & State University Honors Conference, Dahlonega, GA – A.L. Murphy, S.P. Formica, M.C. Spraker – Designing a Concepts Inventory for Introductory Electricity and Magnetism Students (Poster).
October 2008. South Atlantic Section of the American Physical Society (SESAPS) conference, Raleigh, NC – D. Villalba, M. McManus, S.P. Formica, M.C. Spraker; X-Ray Fluorescence in a 1 x 10-6 nutshell. (Poster).
October 2008. South Atlantic Section of the American Physical Society (SESAPS) conference, Raleigh, NC – J.L. Easley, S.P. Formica, M.C. Spraker; Transforming common-sense beliefs into Newtonian thinking through Just-in-Time Teaching. (Poster).