Physics on the 4th


Visitors to the Miami Science Museum saw fireworks of a different kind on Independence Day as FIU students served up a day of fun-filled activities aimed at teaching children that science is fun.

Thanks to members of the Society of Physics Students (SPS) and the Chemistry Club, young visitors to the museum on July 4 were able to walk across liquid, measure the speed of light, play with magnets that are stronger than gravity and make art out of sound waves, among other mind-bending activities.

“The kids had a great day,” said Natan Samuels, a member of SPS. “Surprisingly, parents were as engaged as their children. Several thanked us for making science fun for them.”

FIU’s award-winning Society of Physics Students (SPS) and the Chemistry Club were asked to host the day of activities by a museum staff member who had seen the clubs put on a similar exhibit for Golden Panthers several months ago.

“To prepare for the demonstrations at the museum, we had to rework the material,” said Rahul Patel, president of SPS. “Kids have a shorter attention span than most college students. We had to make sure everything was presented in a way that the kids could enjoy and understand.”

More than 250 children, parents and Miami-Dade public school teachers participated in the presentations, making their efforts more than worth it, says Samuels. “It was a good day for FIU. Audience members wanted to know if we were professionals hired by the museum. The museum director seemed interested in having us back for future events.”

The day ended with visitors “chilling out” with homemade ice cream that had been cooled down by -321 degree liquid nitrogen.

-FIU-

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