July 12-14, 2023, Conference on Laboratory Instruction Beyond the First Year (BFY4)

General info

The Fourth Topical Conference on Laboratory Instruction Beyond the First Year of College (BFY IV) will take place from Wednesday, July 12, 2023 through Friday, July 14, 2023 at California State University, Chico in Chico, CA; immediately before the 2023 Summer National Meeting of the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) in Sacramento, CA from July 15, 2023 to July 19, 2023.

The goal of the BFY IV Conference is to expose attendees to a broad range of contemporary instructional lab experiments appropriate for sophomore-, junior- and senior-level college physics courses, while also serving as an opportunity to discuss a range of curricular models that allow for enhancement of the undergraduate physics major. This goal will be met through a combination of hands-on small-group workshops, plenary talks, panel discussions, poster sessions as well as informal conversations. Please check out the 2018 BFY III Conference website if you want to see an example of what to expect for BFY IV. 

Registration is limited to 150 attendees.

BFY4 Program

Campus Map and Parking Information

Registration Fees

For ALPhA Members:

• Early Bird Rate of $199 through April 30th.

• Regular Rate of $220 after May 1st.

For Non-Members:

• Early Bird Rate of $219 through April 30th (includes 1-year membership - a $10 savings!)

• Regular Rate of $250 after May 1st (includes 1-year membership).

Lodging, Transportation, and Parking

On-campus dormitory housing

The conference has access to housing in campus dormitories for the nights of Tuesday, July 11 through Friday, July 14. The latest checkout time is Saturday morning, July 15th. 

All rooms can have single or double occupancy for $66/night and include a linen package (sheets, blanket, pillow/pillow case and bath, hand, and face towels) as well as hot breakfast in the dining hall.

Reservation and payment for dorm housing must be done as part of the conference registration process. All dorm reservations are refundable until June 1st. *Dorm availability cannot be guaranteed after June 1st!*

Off-campus hotels

Hotel Diamond

Located two blocks (0.5 mi/800 m) from campus at 220 W 4^th Street, Chico, CA.

Rooms start at $199.00 USD per night plus tax/fees. Breakfast is included. To reserve, call Hotel Diamond at 530-893-3100 and mention group block BFY4 2023 Conference or reserve online with promo code BFY.

Quality Inn

Located six blocks (0.8 mi/1.3 km) from campus at 715 Main Street, Chico, CA.

Rooms start at $135.00 USD per night plus tax/fees. Hot breakfast is included. To reserve, call Quality Inn at (530) 924-0894 and use promo code BFY4 or book your room online.

Local Hotel with Shuttle to Campus

Oxford Suites

Located at 2035 Business Lane, Chico, CA.

Rooms start at $90.00 USD per night plus tax/fees. Hot breakfast is included and there is a reception with appetizers and beer/wine each evening. To reserve, call Oxford Suites at (530) 899-9090 or reserve online: https://reservations.travelclick.com/106548?groupID=3788949.

There are additional hotel options in Chico on our website: https://rce.csuchico.edu/conferences/accommodations.

Transportation

Buses will be available for transportation between the Sacramento Airport and CSU Chico on Tuesday (July 11th), Friday (July 12th), and Saturday (July 13th) for $30/trip. Free bus transportation to the AAPT Summer Meeting will also be available on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning.

Reservation and payment for bus transportation must be done as part of the conference registration process. If flight info is not known at the time of registration, we will ask for that information to be provided by June 1st. All transportation reservations are refundable until June 1st. After June 1st, transit will be based on availability on the bus. 

Parking

If you plan on driving to campus and parking your car overnight, you will need to purchase an overnight parking permit for $20. The parking permit can be requested through the conference registration process.

Meals

• Meals provided: Lunch Wednesday, heavy hors d'oeuvres Thursday evening (during poster session), breakfast and lunch Friday, morning and afternoon coffee breaks with snacks, breakfasts through the dorms if staying on campus

• Wednesday evening: Networking in small groups at local restaurants (CSU Chico will provide a list of partners and discounts available)

• Thursday lunch: Food trucks on campus

Cancellation and Refunds

• 100% refund on dorm and transportation fees for cancellations up to June 1st.

• 100% refund on registration fees for cancellations up to June 16th.

• 70% refund on registration fees for cancellations between June 16th - June 30th.

• No refund July 1st or later.