Saturday Physics for Everyone v.19.0 premieres September 17

“Saturday Physics for Everyone” begins its 19th season on September 17 with a talk by Fortner Professor of Physics Frederick Lamb on exotic astrophysical objects—neutron stars, pulsars, and black holes.

“We’re excited to be able to offer high school students and members of the community an opportunity to learn from and interact with some of the University of Illinois’ world-class research scientists in an informal, friendly atmosphere,” said program director Naomi Makins. “Dr. Inga Karliner has assembled a great line-up of speakers for us this year.”

The Saturday Physics lecture series, formerly called “Saturday Physics Honors Program” is held in Room 141, Loomis Laboratory of Physics, 1110 West Green Street, Urbana, on the University of Illinois campus.

“We changed the name of the program this year to emphasize that these talks are designed for anyone with an interest in science,” explained Kevin Pitts, associate head for undergraduate programs in the Department of Physics at Illinois. “No specialized knowledge of physics is required, and there won’t be any tests,” he added with a smile.

Talks begin at 10:15 a.m. and last approximately one hour, followed by an informal question-and-answer session with the speaker.

The talks, which range this year from the physics of climate change to the physics of cheating in baseball, present recent advances in research and show the role of physics in the development of advanced technologies that affect our everyday lives.

“One aim of the program is to show students a variety of possible career paths for physics majors,” said Karliner. “For example, this year Professor P. Scott Carney from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, who majored in physics as an undergraduate at Illinois, will talk about physics-inspired breakthroughs in medical imaging.”

For more information about Saturday Physics, including this year’s schedule and parking information, call 217/244.2948, or email Program Coordinator Toni Pitts at sat_physics@physics.illinois.edu.
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Writer: Celia M. Elliott, Department of Physics, 217/244-7725.

If you have any questions about the College of Engineering, or other story ideas, contact Rick Kubetz, writer/editor, Engineering Communications Office, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 217/244-7716.