The Wonders of Physics Prof Clint Sprott Department

The Wonders of Physics Prof. Clint Sprott Department of Physics University of Wisconsin - Madison Presented to the Physics Board of Visitors in Madison, WI on May 3, 2013

Genesis of Wo. P q q q q Inspired by “Chemistry Can be Fun” (Bassam Shakhashiri) First presentation – Feb 1984 Overflow crowd ~500 people Press and TV coverage Second year ~800 people In 2013 ~3000 people (10 shows over two weekends) Traveling show began in 1988

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

The Approach of Wo. P q q q 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

The Presentation q q q q q Scheduling and publicity Tickets / ushers / handouts Costumes Dramatic entrance Audience participation Special guests Live or recorded music Videotaping Dramatic ending Laboratory tours

Topics Motion q Heat q Sound q Electricity q Magnetism q Light q Modern Physics q

Sample Themes q q q 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

Spinoffs Traveling shows (>1000) q Videos (30 hours) q Computer software q Demonstration book q Written handouts q Lecture Kit q Annual Integration Bee q Teacher’s workshops q Radio and TV interviews q Web sites q

Traveling Show q Over 1000 shows in 25 yrs q Mostly precollege schools q Full-time person – Mike Randall (supported by US National Science Foundation & Department of Energy) q Donations ($100 -400) requested per show q Some corporate donors

Physics Demonstrations Book q 300 -page full color book containing 85 demonstrations used in The Wonders of Physics published by UW Press in 2006 q Book contains 2 DVDs with 3 hours of demonstrations before a live audience. q Favorably reviewed in Physics Today q >5000 copies sold

Videos q 30 hours of video from past years now on DVD and streamed on the Web (http: //sprott. info/wop. htm#videos) q Very detailed statistics on usage (http: //mediastreamer. doit. wisc. edu/stats/physics 103/windowsmedia/all_dates/):

Web Survey Results • Number of responses: 342 (229 parents, 51 teachers, 62 others) • What seen: 238 public show, 51 traveling show, 27 both, 21 videos only • On average the first show was seen 3 years ago. • On average the respondents have seen 3 shows. • 97% of the respondents found the presentation clearly audible. • 94% of the respondents found the presentation clearly visible. • 4% thought it was too short, and 4% thought it was too long. • 7% thought it was too simple, and 4% thought it was too difficult. • 97% learned something about physics from the presentation. • 68% learned something about plasmas from the presentation. • 91% were encouraged to study more physics by the presentation. • Awareness: • Annual show: 60% • Traveling show: 26% • Website: 34% • Videos: 19% • Lecture Kit: 7% • Demo Book: 11% • Software: 4% • The surveyed audience was 54% male and 46% female. • The surveyed audience was 78% Caucasian and 22% minority. • 242 comments were left.

Recent Activities q 13 monthly WMTV (NBC) Sunday morning live science demonstrations q WID Super Science Saturdays q 6 th annual Department Physics Fair q Expanded Web presence (including an automatic booking system) q Satellite programs in Appleton, De Pere, Milwaukee, River Falls, and Superior, WI q Creation of a Physics Volunteer Corps q Physics of Plasma show development q Assessment of results

Needs and Concerns q Stable source of funding q More faculty involvement

References q http: //sprott. physics. wisc. edu/ lectures/wop-bov. htm q http: //sprott. physics. wisc. edu/ wop. htm q sprott@physics. wisc. edu