| Prof. Clint Sprott | |
| Department of Physics | |
| University of Wisconsin - Madison | |
| presented to the | |
| American Physical Society | |
| in | |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | |
| on | |
| April 6, 2003 |
| The Need | |
| The Approach | |
| The History | |
| The Presentation | |
| Spinoffs |
| 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. |
| 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 |
| 20 years, 161 presentations, >50,000 people | |
| 6 scheduled shows per year + special presentations | |
| Capacity crowds at every show | |
| Over 200 demos (20-30 in a typical show) |
| Scheduling and publicity | |
| Tickets / ushers / handouts | |
| Costume | |
| Entrance | |
| Audience participation | |
| Special guests | |
| Live music | |
| Videotaping | |
| Exit | |
| Laboratory tours |
| Motion | |
| Heat | |
| Sound | |
| Electricity | |
| Magnetism | |
| Light | |
| Modern Physics |
| Chaos and Randomness | |
| Physics of the Weather | |
| Physics of the Body | |
| Physics of Energy | |
| Physics of Flying | |
| Physics of Transportation |
| Traveling shows (800) | |
| Videotapes (20 hours) | |
| Computer software | |
| Demonstration book | |
| Written handouts | |
| Lecture kit | |
| Teacher’s workshops | |
| Radio and TV interviews | |
| Web site |
| Over 800 shows in 15 yrs | |
| Mostly precollege schools | |
| Half-time person (Jim Reardon) supported by US Department of Energy | |
| Donations ($100-400) requested per show | |
| Some corporate donors | |
| http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/lectures/woptalk.htm | |
| http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/wop.htm | |
| sprott@physics.wisc.edu |