University of Colorado at Boulder professors will bring the world of science to children during the 2008-09 CU Wizards program beginning Saturday, Sept. 27.
Michael Dubson, associate chair of the physics department, opens the season with "Boom! The Physics of Sound and Air Pressure." The free, public show will take place from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in Duane Physics room G1B30 on the CU-Boulder campus.
Dubson will start off the show with a loud bang by exploring implosions and explosions, hearing tests, air pressure, sound waves, pitch and loudness. Some of the questions to be answered include: How loud a sound is fatal? Can we play a musical instrument without touching it or blowing on it? There will be frequent audience participation, but no previous knowledge of physics is assumed, Dubson said.
CU Wizards is held the third or fourth Saturday each month during the academic year and will be expanding its focus this season to look at psychology, math and oceanic and atmospheric science, as well as the traditional topics of astronomy, chemistry and physics. Shows are geared toward science enthusiasts in the fifth through ninth grades but are educational and entertaining for people of all ages.
The CU Wizards show began in 1976 under the direction of physics Professor Jim Scott and is now directed by Professor David Nesbitt. Nesbitt has increased collaboration with faculty across the scientific disciplines and produced the CU Wizards video series.
The remaining 2008-09 CU Wizards schedule is:
o Oct. 25, 9:30 a.m., Fiske Planetarium, Professor Andrew Hamilton of astrophysical and planetary sciences, "Black Holes."
o Nov. 22, 9:30 a.m., Duane Physics room G1B30, Professor Lewis Harvey of psychology, "Psychology: Science of Illusion and Reality."
o Dec. 6, 9:30 a.m., Cristol Chemistry room 142, TBA.
o Jan. 17, 9:30 a.m., Duane Physics room G1B30, Professor Eric Cornell of physics, "Speed!"
o Feb. 14, 9:30 a.m., Duane Physics room G1B30, Professor Darin Toohey of atmospheric and oceanic sciences, "Climate Change in a Bottle."
o March 14, 9:30 a.m., Duane Physics room G1B30, Professor Paul Beale of physics, "Much Ado 暗网禁区 Absolute Zero."
o April 18, 9:30 a.m., Cristol Chemistry room 140, Professor Eric Stade of mathematics, "Fibonacci and Phi: Why Can't We Just All Get Along?"
o May 16, 9:30 a.m., Cristol Chemistry room 140, Professor Tom Perkins of molecular, cellular and developmental biology, TBA.
o June 13, 9:30 a.m., Cristol Chemistry room 140, TBA.
For more information about CU Wizards, call 303-492-5011 or visit .