Outreach

Community Outreach

Physics Outreach Committee

The Physics Outreach Committee aims to illustrate the role which physics plays in everyday life. Our hope is to show students that they can use physics to understand the world around them. In particular we try to tailor our demonstrations and hands-on activities toward their areas of interest (music, sports, etc.). We feel that showing the role that physics plays in activities which students enjoy can inspire them to look more favorably at physics and science in general.

The Physics Outreach Committee hosts several Physics Family Fun Day events each year for the community.  The committee also brings classroom experiences, performs demonstrations and offers hands on activities to local students, both within schools and to home-schooled groups.

 

Upcoming Outreach Activity

Physics Family Fun Day

The Physics Outreach Committee aims to illustrate the role which physics plays in everyday life. Our hope is to show students that they can use physics to understand the world around them. In particular we try to tailor our demonstrations and hands-on activities toward their areas of interest (music, sports, etc.). We feel that showing the role that physics plays in activities which students enjoy can inspire them to look more favorably at physics and science in general.

Upcoming Outreach Events

Astronomy on Tap

 

Astronomy is even better with beer! Scientists, educators, writers, artists & more reveal how they explore the universe at Urban Chestnut Grove Brewery! Each FREE event features accessible, engaging science presentations on topics ranging from planets to black holes to the beginning of the Universe. Presenters are from research and educational institutions like Washington University in St. Louis, NASA Jet Propulsion Lab, and more. Each event consists of two 10-15 min talks, followed by questions and comments. There will also be a trivia session with questions related to astronomy. At the end of the night prizes will be handed to the winners! There is always lots of time to ask questions and interact with the presenters and other scientists who tag along for the beer.

 

SEE EVENTS PAGE FOR UPCOMING PRESENTATIONS

For more information, contact: 

Andrés A. Plazas Malagón
plazas@physics.wustl.edu
@plazasmalagon1 (twitter)

Young Scientist Program

The Young Scientist Program Teaching Teams promote science literacy among students and encourage the pursuit of careers in science by introducing students to areas of scientific study through interactive demonstrations brought into the classroom. Teams of graduate students present the curricula in small groups, fostering a comfortable atmosphere for scientific discussion.

If you would like to request the physics teaching team, visit the Young Scientist Program page.

YOUNG SCIENTIST PROGRAM
Physics Family Fun Day

Saturday Science Public Lectures

Spring 2019

The Department of Physics and University College will again sponsor a series of public lectures, to be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday mornings, March 30th – April 13th. Due to campus construction, all lectures will be held in McMillan G052. This building is directly across from the Millbrook parking garage off Forest Park Parkway; parking is free on Saturdays. These lectures, which are free and open to the public, will be presented by faculty members of the Department of Physics and are tailored for the general public.  More information may be obtained from Ady Haas.

Science and Public Policy in the Modern Era

For many years, the physics department at Washington University has offered the course “Physics and Society” to all Washington University undergraduates who wish to learn about the intersection of physics with public policy. Begun by Professor Michael Friedlander with three other faculty members, it has proven to be both popular and durable, with course content changing each year as the world changes. In this lecture series, three veteran instructors revisit some of the most important topics from the course.

UPCOMING SATURDAY SCIENCE LECTURES

 

Garv Chauhan

"The WashU Physics Department has helped me integrate into the physics research community over the past two years through their PhD program. The welcoming environment and the vibrant graduate student community helps you maintain a healthy balance in your work-life. This place makes me feel excited about the cutting edge research in other fields, too, in addition to mine. As physicists, I believe it's our duty to contribute to our society by illustrating the importance of physics. As a member of the outreach initiative from the department, I help organize and demonstrate physics in everyday life to school students through our "Physics Family Fun Day" events. It's great fun and a wonderful experience to be a part of this!"

―Garv ChauhanPhD Candidate