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The UIUC Physics VanThe UIUC Physics Van(and some other outreach efforts)(and some other outreach efforts)

Mats Selen, Nov/8/02

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UIUC Physics Van OverviewUIUC Physics Van Overview

Traveling science show of exciting experiments staffed by volunteer undergraduates from all over campus. Target area elementary schools (~100 mile radius). Other venues…

» Illinois State Fair» Adler Planetarium» Snowmass (Colorado!)» Chicago Academy of Sciences» Girl/Boy Scouts, Home Schools, BOAST, IMSA etc…» Many others…

We have done ~320 shows since 1994: Seen by over 43,000 kids & 3400 adults !

We are funded (largely) by the UIUC Physics Department. About $5,000 per year for supplies/travel + 2 x 25% TA

positions.

See http://van.hep.uiuc.edu/

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Physics Van: How it’s done…Physics Van: How it’s done…

First recruit volunteers

Coolest Flyers on Quad Day

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Rent Van from the UIUC motor-pool and pack it with interesting experiments

Drive to the show(~ 1 hour)

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The Volunteers love it too !

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Meet the kids…

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EveryoneEveryone Has Fun Has Fun

5 sec video clip

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““Whys Guy Wednesday” Live Whys Guy Wednesday” Live ShotsShots

We do “Live Science” shots every Wednesday morning on Channel 3 (WCIA).

Connection to Ch. 3 developed because of Physics Van (long story).

45 sec video clip

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Physics 123: How The World Physics 123: How The World WorksWorks

A science class for elementary education majors

Current “Physical Science” requirements is 2 Gen-Ed’s Students usually take Nutrition & Geography Most are very intimidated by “hard” science.

K-4 Education Standards say elementary school teachers should know how to teach quite a bit of physics: Properties of matter, forces & motion, heat, sound, light,

electricity, magnets…

We are designing a new 3-hr “PS Gen Ed” class targeting these students (about 150/year). Using inquiry based teaching (working with Ed. College). Each Week:

» 2 hour inquiry based lab (Monday)» Web based homework & instructor feed-back» 1 hour lecture/discussion (Friday)

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Physics 123: How The World Physics 123: How The World WorksWorks

A science class for elementary education majors

Introduction 1. Uncertainty and the Nature of

Science

Properties of Matter 2. Atoms and Molecules 3. States of Matter 4. Volume and Density 5. Floating and Sinking

Forces and Motion 6. Measuring and Graphing Motion 7. Simple Forces 8. Investigating Gravity 9. Rolling and Ramps10. Levers & Pulleys

Electricity and Magnetism11. Playing with simple circuits12. Understanding Voltage and

Current13. Making Magnets14. Fun with static electricity

The big idea will be to boost students

confidence in science by:

1) Exposing them to the same stuff they will have to teach.

2) Have them each build a hands-on “kit” for teaching the covered concepts.

3) Provide packets and other resources to use in their own classrooms.Prototype offering in Fall/03

(probably limit to 20 students)

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Other EffortsOther Efforts Participation in GAMES summer camp for middle

school girls. Every summer.

Physics 111 Labs for High School Students Provide hands on experience with university labs.

CyberClub Computer Literacy and Mathematics Enrichment

Program for Disadvantaged Middle School Youths.

The Physics of Baseball (Al Nathan)