As part of our annual conference NSBP Pre-college Program Committee (PPC), along with our partners in the National Society of Hispanic Physicists and the University of Texas at Brownsville, puts on K-12 physics demonstration shows. These science shows are an effort to introduce Black and Hispanic K-12 students to a variety of physics concepts and to actual Black and Hispanic physicists who can serve as role models. Each show will be an age-appropriate mix of science demonstration, music and visuals presented in such a way as to engage, excite and inform.
The purpose of this endeavor is three-fold: (1) to promote the idea that science in general, and physics in particular can be fun, (2) to encourage interested pre-college students to pursue a career in science/physics, and (3) to expose students to Black and Hispanic professional physicists and physicists in training (undergraduate & graduate students).
Some science show topics may include (but are certainly not limited to): (1) electricity and magnetism, (2) optics: the study of light, (3) lasers, (4) pressure, (5) sound, and (6) the states of matter.
In 2006 at our conference in San Jose the Science Ambassador program was hosted by the Herman Middle School and included ü440 middle
school students . In 2007 there were two shows at Boston Boys & Girls Clubs, Jordan & South Boston. Nearly ü80 students (9-14 yrs-old) saw the shows (40+40). In 2008 we went to the Oyster-Adams Bilingual School in Washington, DC. The show was conducted in both Spanish and English). Over
150
students, elementary & middle school (G4-7), participated in the program. Our partners included University of Texas at Brownsville , the Optical Society of America, the Acoustical Society of America, the American Physical Society, Thomas Jefferson National Laboratory, and the United States Air Force. Take a look at the program photo gallery.
During our 2009 conference the Science Ambassadors demos will be at Rose Park Middle School and the Martin Luther King Magnet School. The Hum and Fog Middle School will participate in an acoustics demo at the conference. The public is welcome to participate in the Physics Day Camp.
PPC is seeking enthusiastic, upbeat professional physicists and physics students at all levels to serve as show presenters for upcoming NSBP/NSHP conferences. Trainings are generally provided by PPC members. Interested NSBP and NSHP members are especially encouraged to volunteer.
If you are interested in being a part of this very exciting and important effort, please contact us.
