More than 30,000 school kids will be on U of M campus this week to learn about science
Flames, explosions, and scientists dropping 20 feet through the air are just a few of the exciting demos kids will see
MEDIA NOTE: If you plan to attend a show, please contact Lacey Nygard in the University of Minnesota News Service at ljnygard@umn.edu.
MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (01/09/2017) — University of Minnesota students may still be on winter break, but campus will be buzzing this week with more than 30,000 school kids learning about how science can be fun and interesting. Faculty from two popular College of Science and Engineering outreach programs are presenting shows for school groups all week and both have sold-out public shows.
Energy and U
Explosions, flames, flying pop bottles, screaming gummy bears, and a dance party—they’re all part of a unique and fun University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering outreach program that aims to interest elementary students in science and teach them the many science and technology challenges regarding our energy needs.
More than 5,000 students from 48 schools are expected to attend the “Energy and U” shows at the University of Minnesota in January.
The best times for media to attend shows are:
- Wednesday, Jan. 11; 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
- Thursday, Jan. 12; 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
- Friday, Jan. 13; 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
All shows are at the Rarig Center, University of Minnesota (West Bank), 330 21st Ave. S., Minneapolis
Energy and U is supported by Medtronic, Schlumberger, the University of Minnesota’s National Science Foundation Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, the University’s National Science Foundation Center for Sustainable Polymers, and the University’s College of Science and Engineering, Department of Chemistry, and Department of Chemical Engineering Material Science.
Physics Circus
If you’ve never seen a physicist drop 20 feet through thin air while a friend shoots a ball at him from a cannon, or grown men and women shooting streams of toilet paper over an audience with a leaf blower, the University of Minnesota Physics Force has a show for you. The Physics Circus is the group’s largest show of the year and includes a unique mix of physics demonstrations and slapstick humor.
More than 25,000 students are expected to attend the Physics Circus shows in January to help elementary school kids see that physics is fun, interesting and understandable.
The best times for media to attend shows are:
- Monday, Jan. 9; 10 a.m.
- Tuesday, Jan. 10; 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
- Wednesday, Jan. 11; 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
- Thursday, Jan. 12; 10 a.m., 1 p.m.
- Friday, Jan. 13; 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
All shows are at Northrop, University of Minnesota (East Bank), 84 Church St. SE, Minneapolis.
Physics Force is supported by 3M, the University of Minnesota's School of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science and Engineering, and National Science Foundation Materials Research Science and Engineering Center.