The Wonders of Physics Prof Clint Sprott Department

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 n n n ~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

Problems with American Science Education n n n 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

The Need n n n 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.

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

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 n n n Dramatic demonstrations, fastpaced, 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 History of Wo. P n n 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)

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

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

Sample Themes n n n 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 n n n n n 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

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

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