Jordan A. Goodman Professor and Chair Department of Physics

From the PhysicsChair

By Jordan A. Goodman
Professor and Chair

Dear Colleagues,

I would like to take this opportunity to cordially invite you to several public events that the Department of Physics is hosting in the next few months. To our alumni, I hope that you will join us for some of these activities and that you feel free to bring your families and friends. The University of Maryland is more than just your alma mater. It is a cornerstone of the community and a resource for our alumni and friends. Whether it's the professional development experience you can gain from our colloquia and public lectures or educational activities for your children like our Maryland Day events for kids, we encourage you to keep in touch with us.

To our faculty, staff and students, I hope you'll join us for these spring events, either as an attendee or as a volunteer. Many of them include activities for the whole family and I hope you'll bring yours for fun ways to learn about physics. Also, some of these events, especially Maryland Day, depend upon volunteerism from our entire Department. I encourage you to contact us for ways that you can help us with these very important community outreach activities.

Below, please find more information on these upcoming events:

Maryland Day
On April 24, 2004, the University of Maryland opens its doors to the public with a full day of fun and learning. "Explore Our World" is the theme and each department finds fun ways to share its area of expertise. Here at the Department of Physics, we have several events for you and your families to enjoy - a lecture by Nobel Laureate William Phillips, physics demos, a variety of hands-on activities for kids and much more. For more information, including a schedule of events and how you can sign up to volunteer please visit http://www.physics.umd.edu/marylandday/.

Physics is Phun
Physics is Phun is a four-part series of public lecture demonstrations that the Department hosts throughout each academic year. Professor Richard Berg uses an engaging lecture style and creative demonstrations to convey principles of physics. Each presentation has a theme, such as "color," "sound" or "the atom." Next month (May 6, May 7, and May 8), Dr. Berg presents "The Physics IQ Test," in which he uses brainteasers to teach physics concepts. Physics is Phun is an excellent way for students in middle school and high school to supplement their school's science curriculum and grow their interest in the field. It is also a fun way for adults - including parents, teachers and friends - to learn about the science that we find in our daily lives. For more information, including times and location, please visit http://www.physics.umd.edu/PhysPhun/.

Physics Olympics
Each spring, students from area high schools participate in the Physics Olympics here at the Department of Physics. Each team participates in a variety of science-based competitions, including bridge building, an egg drop and a projective contest, to determine the championship school. This is an excellent activity for teens, which provides them with hands-on education and problem solving skills. The program very much depends upon the help of faculty to judge each of these competitions. If you are a faculty member and would like to volunteer, or if you are someone who would like to find out more about how your child's school can get involved in the competition, please contact Bernie Kozlowski at 301-405-5949. You are also welcome to visit http://www.physics.umd.edu/PhysOlympics/

Departmental Colloquia
Each semester, the Department of Physics holds a weekly colloquia series, featuring presentations from some of the top scientists from a variety of areas of physics. Held every Tuesday during the semester at 4:00pm, these lectures are an excellent way for physics professionals to keep up to date with the latest trends in the field. For more information, including this semester's schedule, please visit http://www.physics.umd.edu/events/colloquia/.

As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 301-405-5946 or goodman@umdgrb.umd.edu.

Sincerely,

Jordan A. Goodman
Professor and Chair