Physics demo show warning: 'This could induce excitement about science'

July 19, 2022 (Volume 45, Number 19)
Article by Peg West

thermal image on screen in back, two people in rainbow lab coats holding black sheet, other person in front with camera, videocamera person on left

two people in rainbow lab coats roll metal balls down a metal tube; a videographer is in front, they are projected on the screen in back

physics experiment in which object levitates

man in colorful lab coat breaks what looks like plywood with his fist

large group on stage holding signs, man at end talks about a box held by another man in a rainbow labcoat

Physics demonstrations are conducted in the Fieldhouse Arena for an American Association of Physics Teachers audience.

Photo Credit: Amanda Pitts

Grand Valley hosted the recent conference of the American Association of Physics Teachers, which provided an opportunity for a physics demo show on the Allendale Campus that was open to the public.

The show, hosted by the GVSU Physics Department and the GVSU Physics Club earlier this month, featured experts performing physics demonstrations that you might see in a high school or college classroom, said Brad Ambrose, professor of physics.

Ambrose said the show emcees, who are members of the Physics Instructional Resource Association, "often gave the friendly warning that attending the show could induce excitement about science!"

"The AAPT Demo Show is highly acclaimed and has been a mainstay of AAPT conferences for many years," Ambrose said. "Each demonstration performed onstage helps make physics concepts tangible and accessible, while at the same time there is often an element of surprise."