1. PAB visit (Nov/8/02): Pg 1 The UIUC Physics Van (and some other outreach efforts) Mats Selen, Nov/8/02

2. PAB visit (Nov/8/02): Pg 2 UIUC Physics Van Overview l Traveling science show of exciting experiments staffed by volunteer undergraduates from all over campus. èTarget area elementary schools (~100 mile radius). èOther venues… »Illinois State Fair »Adler Planetarium »Snowmass (Colorado!) »Chicago Academy of Sciences »Girl/Boy Scouts, Home Schools, BOAST, IMSA etc… »Many others… l We have done ~320 shows since 1994: èSeen by over 43,000 kids & 3400 adults ! l We are funded (largely) by the UIUC Physics Department. èAbout $5,000 per year for supplies/travel + 2 x 25% TA positions. See http://van.hep.uiuc.edu/

3. PAB visit (Nov/8/02): Pg 3 Physics Van: How it’s done… First recruit volunteers Coolest Flyers on Quad Day

4. PAB visit (Nov/8/02): Pg 4 Rent Van from the UIUC motor-pool and pack it with interesting experiments Drive to the show (~ 1 hour)

5. PAB visit (Nov/8/02): Pg 5 The Volunteers love it too !

6. PAB visit (Nov/8/02): Pg 6 Meet the kids…

7. PAB visit (Nov/8/02): Pg 7 Everyone Has Fun 5 sec video clip

8. PAB visit (Nov/8/02): Pg 8

9. PAB visit (Nov/8/02): Pg 9

10. PAB visit (Nov/8/02): Pg 10

11. PAB visit (Nov/8/02): Pg 11

12. PAB visit (Nov/8/02): Pg 12 “Whys Guy Wednesday” Live Shots l We do “Live Science” shots every Wednesday morning on Channel 3 (WCIA). l Connection to Ch. 3 developed because of Physics Van (long story). 45 sec video clip

13. PAB visit (Nov/8/02): Pg 13

14. PAB visit (Nov/8/02): Pg 14 Physics 123: How The World Works Physics 123: How The World Works A science class for elementary education majors l Current “Physical Science” requirements is 2 Gen-Ed’s è Students usually take Nutrition & Geography è Most are very intimidated by “hard” science. l K-4 Education Standards say elementary school teachers should know how to teach quite a bit of physics: è Properties of matter, forces & motion, heat, sound, light, electricity, magnets… l We are designing a new 3-hr “PS Gen Ed” class targeting these students (about 150/year). è Using inquiry based teaching (working with Ed. College). è Each Week: »2 hour inquiry based lab (Monday) »Web based homework & instructor feed-back »1 hour lecture/discussion (Friday)

15. PAB visit (Nov/8/02): Pg 15 Physics 123: How The World Works Physics 123: How The World Works 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 Ramps 10. Levers & Pulleys Electricity and Magnetism 11. Playing with simple circuits 12. Understanding Voltage and Current 13. Making Magnets 14. 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)

16. PAB visit (Nov/8/02): Pg 16 Other Efforts l Participation in GAMES summer camp for middle school girls. èEvery summer. l Physics 111 Labs for High School Students èProvide hands on experience with university labs. l CyberClub èComputer Literacy and Mathematics Enrichment Program for Disadvantaged Middle School Youths. l The Physics of Baseball (Al Nathan)