About the Force
Physics is fun! If that sounds like an oxymoron to you, accept our invitation to see a Physics Circus. The Physics Force is a very successful and entertaining outreach program of the Institute of Technology in the University of Minnesota developed to make science exciting and fun for students of all ages, from 5 to 105. The Force and the Next Generation teams consist of high school teachers and faculty from the University of Minnesota Physics Department.For over a decade they have attracted standing-room only audiences in Minnesota. They were featured at the national convention of the American Association of Physics Teachers, the Chemistry Educators national convention, on Newton's Apple and for two years at Disney World's Epcot Center. They traveled twice to Europe and appeared on German television as guests of the "Knoff Hoff" show. A trademark of their demonstration is "bigger is better." Why implode a pop can when a 55-gallon drum is available? Or shoot down a mythical monkey when the target could be a physics teacher dropping from a scaffold 20 feet high! This program is a delight for parents, grandparents and children of all ages. Science teachers and their students will be fascinated and so will those that know little about physics.
_____________Original Force___________________
(Click here to skip to Next Generation)
Jon Barber has been
member of The Original Physics Force since its first
performance in 1985. He is also a member of Physics Force
Commando Unit (go anywhere group available for smaller
shows).
Jon has taught Physics at the secondary and college level, is an American Association of Physics Teachers Apparatus Competion winner and along with fellow Physics Force member, Hank Ryan, received the Meggars Award through the American Institute of Physics to develop Physics Laboratory activities.
Dan Dahlberg is
Professor of Physics, School of Physics and Astronomy,
University of Minnesota and has been a member of The Physics
Force since 1986.
He received the Outstanding Instructor Award in 1990 and the 1992 George Taylor/ IT Alumni Society Award for Teaching.
He is a fellow of the American Physical Society andthe American Association for the Advancement of Science. His present area of research is in magnetism.
Visit's Dan's website on Magnetic Microscopy.
Jack Netland is a
physics teacher at Maple Grove Senior High.
One of three finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Education for the State of Minnesota in '94 and '95.He was a Minnesota Chamber Foundation Award Winner, 1987 and was President of the Minnesota Science Teachers Association '92.
He was a regular performer on Newton's Apple Television show, 1984 to 1997.
He is a member of the Physics Force Commando Unit.
Frederick Orsed is a
physics teacher at Maple Grove Senior High. He received a BS
in Physics in1996 and a M.Ed. in 1999 both from the
University of Minnesota
Hank Ryan has been a
member of The Physics Force since its first performance in
1985.
He is a teacher at Mounds View High School and along with fellow Physics Force member, Jon Barber, received the Meggars Award through the American Institute of Physics to develop Physics Laboratory activities.
He is a member of the Physics Force Commando Unit.
_____________Next Generation___________________
Cindy Cattell is an
Associate Professor of Physics, School of Physics and
Astronomy, University of Minnesota and a rocket
scientist.
Visit Cindy's page on Space
Physics
Jim Kakalios is an
Associate Professor of Physics, School of Physics and
Astronomy, University of Minnesota. Apart from Physics
Forice, Jim's outreach lately has included an op-ed piece in
the
Minneapolis Star-Tribune
which in turn inspired an Associated Press feature article
about his Freshman Seminar, The Physics of Comic Books.
Visit Jim's website, Sand
Land.
Louise Weldon is a
Physics Teacher at Tartan High School, Oakdale,
Minnesota.
