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Physics Theorynet meeting, January 12,
2008,
Room 218 DA, Northeastern University, Boston minutes/action
items:
---------------------- Attending
Participating Teachers:
Rick Dower, Roxbury Latin School Scott Goelzer, Coe-Brown Northwood Academy (NH) Michael Hirsh, Needham H.S. Jesus Hernandez, Lawrence H.S. Nick Nicastro, Wachusett Regional High School, Holden Farhad Riahi, Commonwealth School of Boston Mike Wadness, Medford H.S. Participating Theorists:
Per Berglund, University of New Hampshire Brent Nelson, Northeastern Tomasz Taylor, Northeastern Regrets:
Jose Juan Blanco-Pillado, Tufts Albion Lawrence, Brandeis Ken Olum, Tufts 1. Update on high-school visits since
last meeting in September 2007:
-Coe-Brown Northwood Academy (Scott Goelzer). More
than 100 students went on a field trip to a large lecture
room, to hear Per's presentation on particles and
strings.
-Needham H.S. (Michael Hirsh) Albion visited
Michael's classes two times, for Q&A sessions sprinkled with
mini-presentations on the related
topics.
-Medford H.S. (Mike Wadness) Jose gave a
presentation on the expanding Universe, background radiation,
Hubble telescope and in general, how do we know
what we know about the Universe.
-Roxbury Latin School (Rick Dower) Brent gave a
presentation focussed on LHC and talked about some general
things: his daily schedule, distinction between
theorists and experimentalists etc. Rick ran a questionnaire
afterwards: it is clear that students learned a lot
from Brent's visit.
-Lawrence H.S. (Jesus Hernandez) Ken gave a Big
Bang, 1 and 1/2 hour presentation for 140 students. According
to Jesus, students liked it and learned a
lot.
-Wachusett R.H.S. (Nick Nicastro) Tom expanded on
wave topics recently taught in class and then moved to
particles and strings, starting from "String
Ducky", the winner of String Theory in Two Minutes or Less video
contest. Students asked many good questions about
extra dimensions, how can we tell if string theory is right etc.
2. Flyer:
In general, everybody liked the flyer, although we
agreed with Rick's point that is seems a little bit overloaded
with information. Rick took the task of simplifying
the content.
3. Demonstration
equipment:
We've got two brand new sets: No-dry-ice cloud
chamber and electron diffraction tube. It turns out that the cloud
chamber still needs running cold water, so it is
not yet clear if it is really simpler to use than those with dry ice.
Rick will test it and will send out his evaluation
to the mailing list. Then whoever is interested will contact him,
and after using it, will send another announcement.
In this way, we can keep track of the equipment. Similarly,
Michael Hirsh will test the electron tube and will
make it available to the next person.
4. Pairings
Ami Katz -- Farhad Riahi
Jose Blanco -- Mike Wadness Ken Olum -- Jesus Hernandez Tom Taylor -- Nick Nicastro Albion Lawrence -- Michael Hirsh Brent Nelson -- Rick Dower Per Berglund -- Scott Goelzer Since there are some teachers who could not come to
our meeting, but are interested in inviting a physicist, Per
and Tom will contact some newcomers to see if they
want to join us.
5. The next meeting is (tentatively)
scheduled for May 3.
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