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The Wonders of Physics

The Wonders of Physics. Prof. Clint Sprott Department of Physics University of Wisconsin - Madison Presented at Central South University in Changsha, China on March 7, 2011. General Physics Course. ~600 students, 2 semesters

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The Wonders of Physics

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  1. The Wonders of Physics Prof. Clint Sprott Department of Physics University of Wisconsin - Madison Presented at Central South University in Changsha, China on March 7, 2011

  2. General Physics Course • ~600 students, 2 semesters • Two 1-hour lectures / week (each lecture given twice) mostly passive, some active • Two 1-hour discussions (~20 students) led by graduate teaching assistants • One 2-hour lab each week • Weekly homework problems submitted by the Web • Three hour-long, multiple-choice exams + a final exam

  3. Problems with AmericanScience Education • Only a minority of students take physics to meet a requirement • Physics is an unpopular course (difficult, abstract, irrevelant) • Subject is usually taught in an uninteresting, unexciting way • Learning if often superficial • Physical science has fallen out of favor in the USA • Good students go into biological sciences, medicine, business

  4. The Need • Over 200 studies document scientific illiteracy. • Scientific illiteracy hurts Nation and individuals. • Teachers are uncomfortable teaching science. • Science has fallen out of favor. • We have a public-relations problem.

  5. Objective of The Wonders of Physics To generate interest in physics and encourage children to consider careers in science.

  6. Philosophy of WoP Make entertaining presentations to audiences that would not normally be motivated to attend a lecture on physics.

  7. The Approach of WoP • Dramatic demonstrations, fast-paced, minimal explanations • Entertain first, education second • Encourage interaction and curiosity • Emphasize phenomena, not facts • Appeal to a cross-section of ages, education, and interests

  8. The History of WoP • 28 years, 230 presentations, >60,000 people • 10 scheduled shows per year + special presentations • Capacity crowds (~300 people) at every show • Over 200 demos (20-30 in a typical show)

  9. The Presentation • Scheduling and publicity • Tickets / ushers / handouts • Costume • Entrance • Audience participation • Special guests • Live or recorded music • Videotaping • Exit • Laboratory tours

  10. Topics • Motion • Heat • Sound • Electricity • Magnetism • Light • Modern Physics

  11. Sample Themes • Chaos and Randomness • Physics of the Weather • Physics of the Body • Physics of Energy • Physics of Flying • Physics of Transportation • States of Matter • Physics of Water • Physics of the Cosmos • Physics of Sports • Physics of the Arts

  12. Spinoffs • Traveling shows (>1000) • Videotapes (27 hours) • Computer software • Demonstration book • Written handouts • Lecture kit • Integration bee • Teacher’s workshops • Radio and TV interviews • Web site

  13. Over 1000 shows in 20 yrs Mostly precollege schools Full-time person (supported by US National Science Foundation & Department of Energy) Donations ($100-400) requested per show Some corporate donors Traveling Show

  14. http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/lectures/woptalk.htm http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/wop.htm sprott@physics.wisc.edu References

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