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The Wonders of Physics
In the matter of physics, the first
lessons should contain
nothing
but what is experimental and interesting to see. A pretty experiment is
in itself often more valuable than twenty formulae extracted from our
minds.
--Albert Einstein
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![[WOP Logo]](woplogo.gif) |
General DescriptionNever has there been a time when an understanding of science has been more important to the well-being of individuals and to the nation than the present. Yet many recent studies have documented a lack of interest in science and hence a decline in science literacy in the United States.To address this problem, the University of Wisconsin - Madison in 1984 began a program called The Wonders of Physics aimed at generating interest in physics among people of all ages and backgrounds. The heart of the program is a fast-paced presentation of physics demonstrations carefully chosen to be entertaining as well as educational. The show has been presented by Professor Clint Sprott on the Madison campus over 180 times to a total audience of about 60,000. In addition a traveling show has been developed and presented by physics graduate students and staff over a thousand times to audiences of all ages throughout Wisconsin and the nation. A variety of educational tools and materials have been developed including videos, software, a demo book and a lecture kit. |
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Annual PresentationScheduled presentations of The Wonders of Physics and tours of the Physics Department laboratories are given on the UW-Madison campus for the general public in mid-February each year. Free tickets are recommended and are available after January 1st by calling (608) 262-2927, by e-mail to wonders@physics.wisc.edu, or by using the On-Line Ticket Form. The next public presentations of The Wonders of Physics are scheduled as follows:February 7, 2009 at 1, 4 and 7 pmThese presentations will be held in 2103 Chamberlin Hall, 1150 University Avenue, Madison, WI. |
Dramatic Entrance
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Mini-shows and Traveling ShowsSpecial presentations at the UW-Madison or at your school can usually be arranged for groups of various sizes by calling (608) 262-2927 or by e-mail to wonders@physics.wisc.edu. A donation is requested to cover the cost of these presentations, which is about $200 to $500 plus travel for nonlocal presentations. |
Einstein's Brother
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Demonstration SoftwareTwo educational computer programs, Physics Demonstrations and Chaos Demonstrations, for IBM PC or compatibles are available from Physics Academic Software, Box 8202, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-8202. Call (800) 955-8275 or (919) 515-7447 to order. |
Faraday Cage
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Physics Demonstrations BookA full-color, 300-page, heavily illustrated book, Physics Demonstrations containing a detailed description of 85 demonstrations used over the years in The Wonders of Physics is available from University of Wisconsin Press. It is accompanied by two closed-captioned DVD's showing all 85 demonstrations presented to a live audience. Organized to teach the six major areas of classical physics -- motion, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism, and light -- the book includes:
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Physics Demonstrations Book
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Lecture KitA kit describing The Wonders of Physics program in detail, with a list of demonstrations, sources, handouts, publicity samples, a DVD of a recent presentation, and the Physics Demonstrations software is available. (See Preface and Table of Contents.) It is aimed at teachers and scientists who want to give similar public presentations in their own communities. Copies are available for $90 (postpaid in the U.S.) from the UW Department of Physics, 1150 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706-1390, by calling (608) 262-2927, or by e-mail to wonders@physics.wisc.edu. |
Lecture Kit
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Additional Information
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Grand Finale
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Total accesses: 
![[Clint Sprott]](photos/clint/sprott2h.jpg)
