The Wonders of Physics

Prof. Clint SprottDepartment of Physics

University of Wisconsin - Madison

Presented to the

Physics Board of Visitors

in Madison, WI

on May 3, 2013

Genesis of WoP 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 WoP

Make entertaining

presentations to audiences

that would not normally be

motivated to attend a lecture

on physics.

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

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

Topics

Motion Heat Sound Electricity Magnetism Light Modern Physics

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

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

Traveling Show Over 1000 shows in 25 yrs

Mostly precollege schools

Full-time person – Mike Randall

(supported by US National

Science Foundation &

Department of Energy)

Donations ($100-400)

requested per show

Some corporate donors

Physics Demonstrations Book

300-page full color book containing 85

demonstrations used in The Wonders

of Physics published by UW Press in

2006

Book contains 2 DVDs with 3 hours of

demonstrations before a live

audience.

Favorably reviewed in Physics Today

>5000 copies sold

Videos 30 hours of video from past years now on DVD

and streamed on the Web

(http://sprott.info/wop.htm#videos)

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 13 monthly WMTV (NBC) Sunday

morning live science demonstrations

WID Super Science Saturdays

6th annual Department Physics Fair

Expanded Web presence (including an

automatic booking system)

Satellite programs in Appleton, De Pere,

Milwaukee, River Falls, and Superior, WI

Creation of a Physics Volunteer Corps

Physics of Plasma show development

Assessment of results

Needs and Concerns

Stable source of funding

More faculty involvement

References

http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/

lectures/wop-bov.htm

http://

sprott.physics.wisc.edu/

wop.htm

sprott@physics.wisc.edu